Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: July 2010

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Irish Setter Portrait

I just finished this portrait of Katie and Rowan - Irish Setters. Their owner commissioned me to do the painting last year. We were able to meet up in Wisconsin in June where I photographed the dogs and spent some time with them.

The moment I walked into their hotel room and looked at Rowan I said, "That is a Hoolie pup!". Turns out that Rowan is a Hoolie grandson as is my young male, Drew. Both boys are 2 years old - give or take a few Months. When I was painting Rowan my husband walked in my studio and said with a question in his voice, "Why are you painting Drew?" Hoolie can sure put his stamp on his get.

It was a pleasure to paint Rowan and Katie. It will be hard for me to ship the painting off, and then again, what's new? It is always a bit hard for me when my paintings leave!

If you are considering having a painting done of your dogs, please go to my website and click on commission information or email me at fff@linkline.com

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Borzoi

I have images of two Borzoi on CafePress at this time. Hope you enjoy the work. Will be fun to watch and see if the store does well. As the saying goes...."nothing ventured nothing gained.

If you have a favorite painting of mine that you would like to see offered on gift items at CafePress please email me and let me know. There are some images that I have other plans for and won't be available. However, many of my images would be perfect there. Let me know your thoughts......email me at fff@linkline.com

Click here to go to my cafe press store: http://www.cafepress.com/dawnsecord

Click here to go to my website to see more of my artwork: http://www.dawnsecord.com/galleryhome.html

If you are interested in commissioning a portrait please email me or go to my website for more information. http://www.dawnsecord.com/commissioninformation.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Shetland Sheepdog on CafePress

I've finally got my store open on CafePress where select pieces of art will be offered on gift items and clothing. This is a test. If it proves to offer those interested in my art an opportunity to collect art on a gift item, I'll continue the store. If it does not then I'll close the store.

Check back as I intend to offer more art in the next few weeks/months on this site.

To go to my store follow this link: http://www.cafepress.com/dawnsecord

If interested in commissioning me to paint your pet - please contact/email me at fff@linkline.com

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Golden Retriever Puppy

This is another one of my mini paintings. The subject is a young golden retriever pup. He is probably about 12 or so weeks old.

When I was photographing him he was romping around as any pup should. Then he ran out of steam and fell asleep in the middle of the floor. Who couldn't enjoy spending time with such an adorable subject.

Check on my blog for videos of me working on this painting.

If you are interested in me doing a mini portrait please feel free to email me for information. My email address is fff@linkline.com

Friday, July 9, 2010

painting a golden retriever puppy

Thursday, July 8, 2010

My Dog Won't Get Out of Bed

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th of July

Wishing everyone a great 4th of July! I'm proud to be an American.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Irish Setter Print "Generations"

Here is my "surprise" release for the ISCA National. "Generations" was a commissioned painting. The painting features three direct generations of Irish Setters. When I was looking at the senior Irish I kept thinking to myself, "boy does that dog look familiar!!" So, I asked the owner what the blood line was on the dog. To my surprise she is the 1/2 sister to my dog, Jewel. I KNEW that dog looked familiar!!

When I started showing the painting to Irish Setter breeders many asked me to put the piece into print.

I discussed the possibility with the dogs' owner and she was very excited about the prospect. My prints are planned 18 months plus or minus in advance. The question was - do I come out with this print in December of 2011 or should I just release it now. The "now" vote won.

Thank you to all involved for your encouragement.

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!