Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: Painting of John Doe

Friday, March 20, 2020

Painting of John Doe - English Setter

This painting was recently finished. The painting is a portrait of a beautiful English Setter, John Doe - BISS, GHC Sea Island’s Kadon Code Blue.

I love painting English Setters. Painting them takes more time than some breeds. It is a full time "checks and balances" to make sure I have the markings correct. I usually use a ruler and have a large photo taped next to the painting as well as the image on my computer screen next to my easel. The computer allows me to zoom in on fine details. The photo allows me to use a ruler and measure back and forth between the painting and the photo comparing the placements of the markings.

The primary reference pose was John Doe sitting on a grooming table at a dog show. We can see he was having a great time. My dogs love going to the shows - lots of pampering - seeing new people - making new friends - and....lots of TREATS! What a beautiful boy.

dawnsecord.com/commissioninformation.html

Thank you Frazier for having me paint this special boy.

If you are interested in commissioning a painting of your dog, please email me at fff@linkline.com

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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!