Traditional Irish Cob Coloured Pencil Portrait

For this head study, I focused on keeping the drawing clean and natural. The dark coat, long forelock, and bold blaze are all typical Irish Cob features, and coloured pencils are great for capturing those little shifts in tone without overworking them. I layered the colours slowly to build depth, especially around the eye and the blaze, while keeping the overall look soft and true to life.

The mane was enjoyable to draw—long, slightly messy, and full of character. Rather than going too detailed, I let the pencil strokes do the work so the hair still feels light and natural. My aim with pieces like this is simply to create a portrait that feels honest to the horse: no fuss, just a clear, friendly representation.

If you have a Traditional Irish Cob Horse of your own and would like a portrait, I’m always happy to create a piece in this style.