Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: Painting of Rocky

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Painting of Rocky - a White German Shepherd

I've been so negligent in posting finished paintings the last few years. Not all those who commission my work want their painting posted. Paintings of our special pets touch our hearts and I totally understand how some people would prefer for their painting to be kept private. With that said, I don't post any paintings until I've spoken with the parties involved with the painting and know their wishes.

This is a painting of Rocky. He had the most amazing personality. He never met a dog he didn't like. He had a full life and crossed over the rainbow bridge at 15 years old.

White animals and black animals can be the most challenging to capture in a painting. The lights and darks are already the color of the animals. When creating highlights and shadows on animals that are black or white, I use a variety of colors - yellows, blues, purples and turquoise (subtly) to enhance the paintings. I'll also make some areas darker than the photograph and some areas lighter. While it is often referred to as artist liberty, it is a balance of instinct and composition. Usually, the collar is removed from pets unless the owners prefer the collars to be left on. With Rocky's painting, the darkness of his nose and mouth really set his face in front of his body. Very little creative shadowing was necessary to define the distance.

He was a sweet soul and loved dearly. I'd spent time with him in person and he was truly a special dog. Below is the reference photo I'd taken of him for the painting.

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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!