Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: A painting of Windsor is just finished

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

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