Anatomy of the Horse

Description

Anatomy of the Horse- All Materials Included!

with Shelly Hackett

January 10-11, 2026| Saturday-Sunday | 10 am – 3 pm

Experience: All Levels
Medium: Oil Painting
Registration: Each student needs to enroll individually.
Location: Sedona Arts Center, Theatre Studio.
Materials: Materials are included for use during the class, but you are welcome to purchase or bring your own. See Materials tab.

In this two-day workshop, we’ll explore the beauty, power, and elegance of the horse—from careful study to a finished painting. We’ll begin with pencil sketches that capture the essential connections of form: the ear joining the neck and jaw, the expressive transitions of the eye and nose, and the dynamic way legs connect to hooves, shoulders, and haunches. These drawings will lead us into a deeper understanding of equine anatomy, exploring skeletal structure and muscle placement to build a strong foundation for a full-body underdrawing.

From there, we’ll bring the horse to life in paint. Starting with an abstract underpainting, we’ll use bold blocking to capture light, shadow, and movement. As the image emerges, we’ll refine it with impressionistic brushwork—suggesting form and energy without overworking the details. The workshop will finish with the confidence of knowing when your painting is complete, signing a piece that reflects both your hand and the spirit of the horse.

26 0110w SH

Shelly Hackett

Shelly Hackett is a full-time artist based in Fountain Hills, Arizona, known for her expressive, atmospheric style and vivid gestural brushwork. Her work captures the essence of her subjects—often horses and western themes—with a unique blend of accuracy and emotional depth. As one juror noted, “I can actually hear the movement of these horses going down the path,” a testament to the life and energy in her paintings.

Born in the Sonoran Desert, Shelly’s lifelong connection to the Southwest and its equine culture began early—drawing horses as soon as she could hold a pencil and riding Shetland ponies not long after. Though her subject matter varies, the horse remains a central muse in her work.

Shelly studied art at Arizona State University and Scottsdale Community College, but credits much of her artistic foundation to her time working as a graphic artist under art director Dick Axtell. Her professional journey also includes an impressive design career, working internationally in frame moulding design and production in Italy, Indonesia, and the UK.

In 1996, Shelly transitioned into scenic painting for film and commercial sets in Los Angeles, including work on a Super Bowl Pepsi commercial and multiple music videos—further refining her skills in large-scale, figurative painting.

Her award-winning artwork has been featured in Western Art Collector magazine and exhibited in galleries across the U.S., including in Chicago, Los Angeles, Sedona, and Scottsdale. As a teacher, Shelly brings her diverse experience and deep knowledge to the classroom, leading workshops such as Anatomy of the Horse, Finding Your Style, and Introduction to Oil.

With a passion for sharing her expertise, Shelly’s classes focus not just on technique, but on helping students infuse their work with life, mood, and authenticity.

All Materials are provided for your use during the class. You can also bring any materials/supplies that you already have on hand.

Be sure to bring a lunch or snack with you – we’ll take a quick break during the day.

Oil Paints:

Permalba White
Raw Umber
Ultramarine Blue
Burnt Sienna
Raw Sienna

Small tube:

Cad Red
Cad Yellow

16 oz terpenoid

Disposable palette- 9 x12

Palette knife

Canvas, or Wood Panel – 12 x 12 or 9 x 12

A variety of medium to small brushes of your choice

Old dish towel or two

Cancellation Policy

Registration:

Each student must enroll individually.
Students may register online or by calling the Sedona Arts Center’s Office at 928-282-3809, ext. 1.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express are accepted or student may pay with cash or check by registering in person during office hours, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.

In-Person and Online Workshops Registration/Cancellation Policy:

Payment in full is due upon registration, or a payment plan can be put in place by the student upon check-out through Sezzle.
There is a 15% Cancellation Fee for any cancellations made before December 10, 2025. Remaining balance will be refunded.
There are no refunds after December 10, 2025.
If Sedona Arts Center cancels the workshop for any reason, all payments made will be refunded in full.

Note: If traveling to Sedona, we strongly urge students to purchase refundable airline tickets or travel insurance in case of workshop cancellation due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen changes. Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for non-refundable ticket purchases or lodging fees.

Important Cancellation Policy Message:

The Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for providing make-up sessions or issuing refunds, credits, or transfers for courses missed as a result of illness, emergencies, or other events beyond our control. There are absolutely no refunds after the cut-off date for any reason, unless the Sedona Arts Center has to cancel the workshop, then all fees paid will be refunded in full.

Kelly Sutton - Fountain Hills, AZ

Shelly encourages me to keep moving forward and let go of my perfectionism. Her direction helps me overcome my barrier of meticulous attention to detail too soon, using blocks of color then fine tuning details. We have laughter which allows for more creativity and fun.