Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: April 2024

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Thunder and Wizard - Two Irish Setter dogs: Artist, Dawn Secord

This is a painting of Thunder and Wizzard. The original photo was taken in a "landscape" orientation.

When planning this painting, I thought painting the dogs in a "portrait" orientation would allow the dogs to become the focus of the painting. In the original photo, my eye saw a beautiful landscape scene with two dogs in it. Changing the painting's orientation made the focal point the dogs with the background being a landscape. I discussed this with the dogs' owner and she fully agreed and gave me the go ahead to change the orientation for the painting.

It is never my goal to copy a photo - that doesn't take as much thought or creativity. My goal is to use a photo as road map to my paintings to make sure that the essence of the dog(s) that I've been commissioned to paint is kept true. As an artist, I need to see what is worthy to be kept from the photo and what needs to be removed or strengthened. Are shadows to strong or too weak? Do the eyes look tired or concerned rather than relaxed and happy? Does the background steal the show by being the focal point?

Photos are fabulous and I am in awe of how photographers do what they do. However, as an artist, I have an opportunity to change things and it is always my quest to paint something special - something unique - that those commissioning my work will cherish.

Saturday, April 27, 2024

A painting of Holly - Irish Setter

This is a painting of a dog named Holly (Woodglen Holly My Valentine CD, RE, RATS, CGCA). I was so excited when the commission came in. Holly's owner wanted a painting showing Holly at her different stages of life. In the painting, images of her include a puppy photo, competing in a dog event and as a senior dog. For the background, I was sent images of oak trees in her yard.

Before, during and after painting Holly, I was overwhelmed by how much this dog is loved. Dogs are such a major part of our lives - our family.

Thank you to Holly's family for having me paint her. It was an honor.

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!