Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: A Painting of Polo

Thursday, March 30, 2017

A Painting of Polo

This painting of Polo was heartbreaking to paint. Polo held a special place in his owner's heart. His life was cut way to short by illness.

Sometimes just a few words can say so much. Here is what Polo's human mom told me when I asked her to share about her boy...

Polo

Avon Farm Polo Ralph Lauren

December 7, 2009 - October 18,2016

He was a sweet and gentle boy who left too soon.

I can't write anymore Dawn. I am crying

When I read her response to my question asking her to share, I just had to sit and digest her answer. How many of us have lost a pet too soon? How many of us have wondered what memories we've lost because we didn't have the time to experience them? How many of us have lost seeing those gentle eyes that warm our souls and somehow, miraculously, make any hurt a little more bearable? For me, losing an old pet who has attained their expected life span is tough. But with losing a younger one, you are filled with that feeling of unfairness - being robbed. One thing I have learned for sure - no matter how long we have our pets, it is never long enough.

Below is the reference photo of Polo. At first we were just going to paint his head and shoulders. The more I studied the photo, the more I realized having more of his body in the painting really complimented the gentle expression in his eyes. For the sofa, I wanted something that wasn't a pattern. I asked Julie if a leather sofa could be substituted for her floral one. She was agreeable. The softer background really lends to accentuate Polo and unquestionably make him the main focus of the painting.

Hoping this painting helps Julie with the healing process.

Thank you, as always, for taking a peek at my work.

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

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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!