"Evolution" of a Logo

[Jess]

Obviously, this hasn't been modified using any computer programs yet, but I prefer to do most of the work on paper (and no, I don't normally used lined paper... I was in a boring class and all I had available was my notebook paper ) before I do the work on the computer... so here's what I've had so far.

1. first 20 minute drawing


2. Rider moved forward


3. leg and tail added, foreleg shortened, rider's head fixed


4. Tail fixed


This will eventually have text under it "Elfen Stables" (I think, not sure if they're officially naming the barn that or not) but considering my horrid handwriting, that won't be put in until I'm editing it on the computer. Anything I should add/fix before I start the computer work?

[Dove]

The end product is very nice, the only thing I see mildly "unprofessional" is the mane. If, somehow (I'm not artisticly inclined, like you ") ), you could make it more life-like, this would be a quality logo.

[Jess]

The mane is intended to "hint" at a braided mane which would look like this-> farm2.static.flickr.com/1228/1487332121_18187095ed.jpg It's a fancy hunter/eventing/dressage deal.

I don't actually have any photo manipulation software on my home computer, so I use the Adobe CS5 at the college where I am a student, but haven't had a chance to really work on the logo. I cleaned this up a little using photobucket (I hate not being able to afford even semi-decent software ) to give to the "clients" to see if I was heading in the right direction. I'm hoping to actually get to work on it next week in Illustrator and/or photoshop and turn out the final image. This doesn't look fantastic, but it'll be better once I can actually work on it.

[Tumbleweed]

As a lover of horses (sketched a few myself) and a great appreciation for art, I like this very much. I especially adore loose art like yours.

I think the way you have the rider, the way the horses neck is, the way his head and front legs are couldn't be more perfect. I can invision the muscles in that horses neck and body.

There is just this tiny nagging thing about the back end of the horse that doesn't feel quite right and I'm not sure I can put my finger on it. This is where a reference of a horse jumping would be very handy. This is a action drawing and I'm just not seeing the power in those legs to fit the action of making that jump. Does that make sense? I'm not sure if the legs aren't stetched far back enough or maybe they are stretched too much. Or maybe the tail is just too limp? Maybe a little uplift in the tail and just a line that fades away? I'm not sure. Again, an action photo of a horse making a jump like that would probably help me put my finger on that litte nagging thing.

But regardless of that little nagging thing I still really like this very much and can't wait until you get a finished product to show us. I know I'm going to love it just by what you've done and in all honesty, you really don't need to do much to this at all. It's pretty nice "as is"! You should be proud. Now get busy so I can see whaever you decide to do to this! lol

[Jess]

It's probably the position of the back leg. Just about everything needs to be longer, and the frontline of the hip needs to move forward. This horse free jumping is a little like what we're going for, but he's a bit further along in the jump than we like because of hos tucked his back legs are underneath him. Right now with it, I feel like it makes the area above his knee look about as wide as his ankles, and it bothers me since that should be where the majority of the muscle is, or should be in a jumping horse.



This one is a little better, but he's stretched a bit more than would look "elegant," It's really hard to find a photo of a horse in the right position because the pros at big shows hate the flat side angle (I'm a horse show photographer, and I can attest to that), and the friends taking pictures who don't know any better typically don't have stellar timing. He's a bit far along too as he's flat and we want this horse still going up slightly, but it's pretty close.



Edit: Aha! found one that's pretty close. Granted, he doesn't have a "perfect" tail, but my riding trainer would probably cry if I didn't give the logo horse a perfect tail

[Tumbleweed]

What a horrible job you have photographing horse shows. Ha, ha. My dream has been to travel all around the country just photographing beautiful horses. Of course that would be every horse I came across.

When I looked at your sketches I figured the horses hind legs were just at the point where he is just barely air-borne. It was kind of hard to invision at what point in the jump he was although it was obvious it was in the early stages.

And now that I see the references I guess the front legs aren't right as you said.... they need to be longer and you need the 3 bends defined a bit more or just a hint of the bends, I think.

Those hind legs will be the tricky part, for sure, but I think playing around with it you'll know when you have it right. I bet the repositioning is going to be very minor because I think you are pretty close.

And yes, you must have a pretty tail. lol