Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: Portrait of an Irish Red and White Setter

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Portrait of an Irish Red and White Setter

There are few things in life that are more rewarding than being a participant in a special gift. This is a painting that was a gift from one friend to another. The painting was hand delivered from Texas to Minnesota and arrived on the 14^th birthday of our main subject, Reig.

Reig is also known as GCH O'Dobhailien O'Halloran Heritage JH. When discussing what photo to use of Reig for his portrait, it was decided to use a veteran photo. He had been featured in the "Off the Leash" article in the Upland Almanac Magazine, summer 2019 issue, and with that in mind, we knew his owners had some wonderful photos of him in the field, in his prime. In addition, Reig's photo is one of four IRWS photos in the book, The Curious History of Irish Breeds, by David Blake Knox. Given those wonderful photos and memories, it felt perfect to create something that shows Reig, at home, spending time with his adoring family.

I asked his owners to share a little bit about him. "We couldn't be more thrilled with Dawn's perception and attention to detail displayed in her gorgeous painting of our Reig. His eyes say it all. It is like looking at Reig in a mirror. We will always treasure Dawn and her talent along with the Hultkrantzs who thought highly enough of Reig, and Dawn's gifted artistry, to have the painting commissioned for us." Bob and Evan Devlin

Thank you to Irina and Bob Hultkrantz for the honor of painting this special gift for your dear friends.

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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!