Buck Brannaman
Charcoal & chalk on brown paper | Over-sized portrait
Buck Brannaman
This piece is from a figure study course I took while at Watkins. We were assigned to illustrate someone we consider a “Hero.” We were to use measurements, grids & drew several studies before working on the final drawing.
I enjoyed working on this piece. It is one of the largest drawings I’ve experienced. There is something freeing about working on such a large-scale piece. I also enjoyed working with charcoal, it was messy but I loved every bit of it.
Why Buck?
Buck was different from other horsemen - & women - I had heard of. There is a peacefulness to his countenance. I look up to him as a horseman & as a person. I had the pleasure to meet him a few years ago at a clinic he held in Tennessee. I drew some sketches of the clinic & I ended up asking him to sign a drawing of him in my sketchbook. I loved seeing his reaction & how kind he was.
I have grown up loving horses, being a “horse-girl” as a kid & as an adult in college. I have ridden many different horses of all kinds & disciplines. Now I mostly enjoy traveling & trail riding, seeing different lands and trekking it on horseback. I still refer to Buck time to time, I believe his methods to be timeless.