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

Friday, February 5, 2021

A Painting of Lyric - Irish Setter

This painting is of a lovely girl named Lyric. Lyric is no longer with us.

It is always such a heart tugger when asked to paint a dog that has passed. It is a bit emotional...I have to admit.

Looking at the photos of Lyric I realized how much she was loved for her mom to want a painting of her. Each painting I create is from a special moment. The painting captures a dog, cat, horse or bird at that moment the camera took the photo. The painting may capture the moment in a sunset when the clouds were gently sweeping across the sky. The painting may capture a moment when a wave shows a gorgeous brilliant color as the water rolls towards the sand.

The paintings that tug at my heart differently are of a cherished animal that is no longer with us. I know how hard it will be for the animal's owner to receive the painting. I also know how much joy it will bring as their hearts heal. I've been in that owner's shoes looking at paintings I've created of my own pets who have passed. There is a special bond I with a painting of my beloved pets that have gone on and are waiting for me. I have peace and a warm heart looking at those paintings. Hopefully, Lyric's mom will feel a special joy when she looks at Lyric's painting. Thank you for having me paint your girl - it truly is an honor.

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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!