Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: January 2010

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Painting in Process

I'm working on several paintings right now. That way I can stand back and get a fresh eye when looking at them. One painting has one dog in it, a second painting has two dogs and the third piece has three dogs in it.

Here is a peek at one of them.

More to follow later.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Rich's Collection

I started this landscape painting several years ago. My husband, Rich, would not let me sell it and insisted once finished it would be part of his private collection of my work.

So, for Christmas I took it out of storage and dabbled with it a bit. Added some fun greens, blue greys and a few darks. Finally I signed it and surprised him with a completed painting.

Now it is officially finished, framed, and being enjoyed by my husband.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Palm Springs Kennel Club

Monet in the Show Ring

Drew in the Art Booth

"Monet" Rusticwood Spellbound Free-stacking

I showed my girl, Monet, at Palm Springs this past weekend. The weather was awesome - no wind - no rain. Lots of sunshine and a gentle breeze.

It is so much fun to show our dogs. They get to enjoy being out of the house, visiting people and getting lots of treats. Monet was also my official greeter in my art booth. Drew and Jewel also helped in the booth. Family Fun!!!

Monet is learning people in dress clothes usually have really great "stuff" in their pockets.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Western Art "Working Boots"

This article was in the newspaper the day after Christmas. Was a great Christmas surprise! To see more of my work please to go my website at www.dawnsecord.com. Thanks for taking a peek!

Pastel Painting in Progress - French Bulldog

Here is a painting in progress. The pastel paintings are done very much in the same way an oil painting is done. I start with a base color. Usually I work with a precolored surface. With oil painting I would lay in a foundation color so the white canvas wouldn't show through. So this is the same basis. Since I am right handed I work from left to right unless it is a landscape or still life in which case the entire surface is worked uniformly. With pet portraits, so I don't damage an area that is completed, the surface is worked from left to right. While working an area of the subject I lay in mid tone values first - then work light to dark. With pastels an artist can "fill the tooth" of the surface so it is important not to over work any areas. Once the entire subject is painted I go back and reinforce the lightest lights and darkest darks. My greatest area of interest is the eyes. If the eyes aren't right the entire painting will look odd. If the painting is about a sleeping animal it is important to convey the comfort of the animal.

Oil Painting in Process

The following pictures show an Oil Painting in process. The first images show my beginning sketch. I use a common pencil, ruler and an eraser. Once the beginning sketch is satisfactory the sketch is secured with a layer of black oil paint. When the first layer is dried I apply a base color over the entire canvas. I love working on a burnt sienna foundation. There are paintings where I start just working directly on the white canvas and there is no base layer or foundation. It really depends on the painting. From the base foundation I start layering colors. It is a slow process due to drying time. This is where it really becomes fun. I should really make a recording of my husband saying, "You're done - stop messing with it!" Thanks for taking a peek. This painting is of a cat named Lynxy!