Getting the Point started out as an idea to change up my style a little bit. Almost like wanting a new hair style. The change folks that are familiar with my work will notice is that the back ground is different. The colors are more muted and a little less detailed. My goal was for the painting to be all about the dog and less about what was going on around the dog.
I started with a sanded board and did a light layer of pastel that was then brushed with turpenoid to create an under painting that was more like a watercolor painting. Once that layer dried, I began layering subtle dry layers of pastel. Those layers were "smudged" with my fingers and actual paint brushes to feather out any significant detail.
For the dog in the painting, the color was strong and detailed as usual. The photo of this dog was taken while she was out in the field working. I saw the reference photo and knew immediately that I had to paint her. To date, all of my Irish Setter hunt scenes have featured a male dog. So, it was thrilling to have a female to add to the collection. I love seeing the dogs doing what comes naturally. The pheasant in the painting was photographed by me, out in the field, a few years earlier. In an ideal scenario the pheasant would have been further away from the dog. However, to keep the gaze of the dog correct and keep the subjects as up close and personal as possible, the pheasant needed to be placed closer to the dog.
The original painting sold at a show. It happened so quickly. I hadn't had time before the show to take the painting in to be professionally photographed for reproductions. Fortunately, the reproduction folks were able to work with some images I'd taken of the painting, so we were able to put the painting into print.
Have a great day!
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