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This cute calf had not only a white face but also a sprinkling of white throughout the edges of her ears, making her look extra fluffy. It's always an enjoyable painting session figuring out the best colors to portray white on the shadow side of the face. As far as the red goes, I find burnt sienna is a great base color for painting red cattle like Herefords.

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Now here is a happy cow, a young Black Angus relaxing in the sum, chewing her cud. A black subject in shadow can be challenge to paint, so I used purple tones to help give some form. I also added a warm reddish touch to the ears and other sunlit areas to emphasize the light.  

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I am pleased to announce that this painting, "Bronc Explosion" was awarded The Diane Townsend Award at the 35th Annual Juried Exhibit - "Works Of and On Paper," at the Waterworks Art Museum in Miles City, Montana! It was also one of the FAV 15% in the January 2013 BoldBrush Contest. I am honored!

The exhibit runs through March 8, 2014.

I was delighted to run across this particular bunch of cows and calves last summer, because of the different colors in the group; red, black and a couple of these cream-colored calves. I had assumed this little one's mother was the Black Angus behind her, but according to my resident cow person, the calf most likely had a similarly light-colored mother. (What do I know?) Anyway, it was an opportunity to paint a lighter color of calf. I used some lavendar tones in the shadows, along with some warmer shadow colors.  It's pretty amazing how fast these little guys grow - from a birth weight of 65 - 80 lbs in early  spring to about 400 lbs in midsummer! (According to my sources... ; )

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This portrait of a German Shepard was bittersweet as "Molly", the dog had succumbed to an illness last year. Her owner was devastated (as we probably all can relate to the loss of a pet.) A friend of Molly's owner commissioned the portrait and presented it to her as a gift.  As I was in the process of painting, I thought about the dogs that have come into and out of my life and how utterly loyal dogs are and how it shines in their eyes...amazing animals.