I did this one on a 5"x7" gesso panel. It is a theme I have played with before. It is a simplified version of a theme that Frederic Remington used. Using the dark band across the middle allows the warm patch to show up and adds a little mystery. The cowboy is curious about the light.
Doing paintings like this is a good way to look for ways to use special lighting. I have a couple of big elk paintings in the works. There are only a few poses that look good in a painting. The variety can come in putting cows in a variety of positions and different lighting.
This was a fun painting to try. I like to paint aspens and this was a good excuse to try a limited color snow scene with a spotlight effect. It is listed for sale on Ebay here.
I wasn't able to get a Painting A Day done today. Too many interruptions. So, I am listing this one on Ebay for today. Click here to get a better look.
I did manage to get an 8x10 bugling bull elk started, but it is too ugly at this point to put up an image.