Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: Thunder and Wizard - Two Irish Setter dogs: Artist, Dawn Secord

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.

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