Cape Buffalo painting progression

I started out on this large painting with a view to going completely over the top with the amount of details but having got to grips with it ive been enjoying working a little more loosely.this is the first painting that ive used my new Michael harding oil paints exclusively on and ive got to say what lovely oils they are to work with.ive more or less completed the body and ears of the beast and next comes the really interesting part,the face and horns.this will obviously be the main focal point of the painting and so the details will be a little tighter here but my main focus with the painting has changed from being all about detail to being more about creating an impact with the scale of the painting which measures 36" in width.

big grumpy taking shape

This is the first of several new images taking shape on the easel.this is the completed underpainting for my cape buffalo study.this has now been put aside to dry whilst I work up the next underpainting,this time its a roe deer portrait.

new projects underway

I have been busy since completing my last two paintings preparing a number of canvases for new projects.Most are in the very early stages of preparation but this one I have made a start on the underpainting of the main subject.its a study of a cape buffalo and as befitting the size of the beast the painting will measure 36" x 22" and I hope be quite striking when finished.the background colouration has had a couple of layers added thus far and ive now started on the body of the animal with the first coat of oils to loosely block in details.once the whole piece has been underpainted I shall start to add a second coat of oils refining areas here and there and adding details wet in wet.

South of England show

my two latest oil paintings have now returned from my framers in beautifully hand-finished frames just in time to make there debut at The South of England show,Ardingly,West sussex from the 6th-8th june.these two along with other original artworks and limited edition prints will be on display on my publisher Collier and Dobson's stand opposite the main showring for the duration of the show.

DSWF Wildlife artist of the year 2013

delighted to report that my original pencil drawing 'Drifter' will be on display at The Mall Galleries,London as part of the DSWF Wildlife artist of the year competition from 3rd-8th june.

painting updates

here's an update on the two paintings ive been working on.the uppermost painting of the Amur leopard cub is now finished and will be winging its way to the framers shortly whilst the lower picture of a Serval kitten is very nearly complete,only requiring a little finessing of fur details once its dried thoroughly.time to make a start on some new projects.

Serval kitten update

Happy with my efforts on the cats head I made a start yesterday on the body fur and spent a long and somewhat frustrating day trying to get my brushes to follow my bidding.i'll put it down to 'one of those days' and hope that todays efforts in the studio are a bit more fruitful!. sometimes the paintings that are a real struggle from start to finish end up being some of my best work and so i'm hoping that will be the case with this painting.i'll keep you posted.