Working dogs, Hunting dogs, family Pets, Cats of all breeds, Horses, whatever else comes my way - I really enjoy painting them all.

Animals of many different kinds and sizes have always been a large part of my life. From my own childhood to my children's years growing up in rural districts, to present times, our lives have been enriched by experiences shared with our fellow creatures of this world.

It is therefore a great pleasure to seek the character and essence of whatever my current subject is to paint.

As with portraits of people, when painting Dogs, Cats, Horses etc, I try to create the presence of the subject with me in the studio. I painted my first animal portraits over the Summer of 1997-98

Mediums used - Pastel, Charcoal, Graphite, or Oils

Charcoal or black Pastel can be very effective for some animal portraits if the coat is soft and fluffy. Graphite pencil is good if a fine detail is needed without colour. For others Full Colour Pastel is more suitable when the richness of a coat can be brought out.

An Oil painted portrait can have a real impact if, for instance, the subject is a larger dog, creating the presence of the dog in the room.

Vignette Style

A method I quite like to apply with animal portraits is a soft vignette in the background conveying other views of the animal or else characteristics of the environment where the animal lives - i.e. Farm - fields - familiar hills - riverbed etc. (refer horse and farmdog below)