Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: Painting of Charlie

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Painting of Charlie - German Shepherd Dog

This painting was recently completed of a beautiful German Shepherd Dog named Charlie. He was a very special family member.

When I am asked to paint a dog painting for a family, it is a special request. For someone to commission me to paint their dog, there is no question if the dog is a family member or not.

Growing up, we had a German Shepherd that looked very similar to Charlie. A few years later, as a young teenager, our family rescued a German Shepherd / Lab mix. That dog would later intervene and stop a charging bull from hurting me. Dogs are such an important part of our lives. German Shepherds are such wonderful family dogs. Painting their thick coats is always a fun endeavor. The black and tan colors of the breed are such a compliment to the eye. Photographs never do paintings justice - for any artist. I've placed some fun blue and purple shadows and highlights in this painting. They are intermixed in Charlie's coat and are mostly undetected in this photograph. Nothing takes the place of viewing art in person. Don't underestimate going to an art exhibit or museum to view art. What you will see in person is so much more than what photographs of that art will show you.

Being able to be a full time artist is such a blessing. A big thank you to John and Lana for having this painting of Charlie created by me. It was an honor to paint him. I can't wait for you to see the painting in person.

Charlie's reference photo:

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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!