Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: January 2016

Friday, January 29, 2016

Finn - Painting of an Irish Setter

Here is a painting I've been working on since mid December. I try to work on several paintings simultaneously, going from painting to painting, to keep my eyes fresh. It is a great way to proof what I am doing with each painting. While working on this painting, I had three paintings in process; a Boxer, this Irish and a Springer Spaniel (that is very close to being completed).

A lovely lady named Christin had left a message on my phone about her dog, Finn, and wanted me to paint him. It is so heartwarming to be contacted by someone who wants me to paint their dog. I don't think it will ever be less exciting than it was for my first commission.

The initial discussion for this painting was great, the potential collector was excited, and I awaited the opportunity to meet her dog in Georgia. We exchanged cell phone numbers and made plans to meet months later. Zipping ahead to Georgia - I met Finn - he was GORGEOUS. His photos were taken and we were all set for me to go through the photos when I returned to California.

Since Finn is also a hunting dog, Christin wanted to send me some hunting photos to be considered while going through all his reference photos. She sent me the photos, and I have to say, they were really fabulous photos. We went through the process of considering what touched her heart about the photos while I looked at each photo as an artist and compositionally. In the end, we both loved this hunting photo and knew we'd found the perfect photo for his painting.

Upon asking, here is what Christin shared with me about Finn:

Finn is a sweet fun loving Irish setter. While his human mommy took him home to be a loved member of the family with no intent of showing him, this gorgeous boy found his way into the show ring. Showing only occasionally, he was still able to obtain his grand championship and finish out last year in the top 25. But this sweet boy is not all show, his real love is being out in the field. He's an avid hunter, even fancying himself a hound when his favorite quarry, birds, are not available seeking out rabbits, squirrels and even deer to chase. Above all he loves spending time with his human pack joining in whatever activity they are involved in.

Thank you to Finn's family for having me paint him. He is a really an awesome dog and painting him was my pleasure.

http://www.dawnsecord.com/printsforsale.html

Finn in the Field

http://www.dawnsecord.com/galleryhome.html

Primary Reference Photo

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

A painting of Windsor is just finished

I met Windsor's parents last year when Norah approached me to paint their "boxer". Of course I was thrilled - boxers have such expressive faces. What I wasn't prepared for was to meet such a spectacular dog. Not only was he gorgeous, he had a wonderful temperament.

We took a number of photos of him at that time, but Jonathan had a fabulous photo that he'd already taken of Windsor. When he sent me the photo - there was no question - no doubt - that was the reference photo to use.

http://www.dawnsecord.com/commissioninformation.html

If you look at the reference photo at the bottom of this post you'll see I've made a number of changes. I dropped the fence line so it would not give a break in the middle of his neck nor in the middle of the composition. I've also softened the area behind Windsor's head to keep the focus on Windsor and not the background.

One big change in the painting was the amount of light and reflection I've added to his eyes that did not exist in the reference photo.   It is always great to have an exceptional photo as reference, but that is only reference - a road map to painting that dog.

As an artist, I have to know what to emphasize, what to eliminate, what to soften and what to strengthen.   Also, compositionally, I want the painting to keep the viewer in the painting and wanting to keep looking and enjoying. Isn't that what we enjoy about going to a gallery - looking at the art and getting caught up in a painting? I hope you enjoy viewing the painting as much as I did painting it.

I've asked the Bonwit's to share some information on Windsor:

Silver Grand Champion Hallmark’s Mystical Marvel

“Windsor”

2014 Top 20 Boxer

Sire: Platinum GCH R and G’s Mystical Dancer, SOM

Dam: CH Renno’s TKO’s Izzy My Daddy, DOM

Grandsires: “Loki” and “Bosco”

Windsor is the fifth generation Top 20 Boxer in his pedigree that is charged with a long line of renowned Producers of Merit and Top 20 Boxers. This magnificent boxer finished his Championship at 10 months of age and then went on to win 42 Best of Breed competitions plus multiple group placements during only ten months competing as a Special.

His sire, Platinum GCH R and G’s Mystical Dancer, aka "Danny” won the Top 20 in 2011. And his grandsire, GCH Duba-Dae’s Who’s Your Daddy, aka “Bosco” won the Top 20 in 2009.

Other Top 20 Qualifiers in Windsor’s pedigree include CH Capri’s Woods End Spellcaster, aka “Loki”; CH Woods End Crown Sable, aka “Tucker”; CH Rosend’s Key Largo, aka “Bogie”; CH Jems Jack of Diamonds, aka “Jackson”; and CH Bayview Strides Ahead, aka, “Strider”.

Windsor is a very loving, playful, and inquisitive spirit who is now happily retired to Stud and living with his adoring family in Huntington Beach, California.

Owners:

Jonathan and Norah Bonwit

Brightwater Boxers
Huntington Beach, California
714-412-2222 JBonwit@earthlink.net

REFERENCE PHOTO

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!