The story of Badger's portrait.

This portrait of Badger was commissioned by Badger's 'Mummy' as a surprise gift for Badger's doting 'Daddy'.

The first thing I did was go to Badgers home and photograph him and the garden I planed to paint him in. It was also a portrait of the garden, as it a special place for both Badger and his 'Daddy'.

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Badger has the very endearing habit of sitting on stairs with his back legs seated on the higher step behind and his front legs standing on the lower step.

This pose is very 'him' so I decided that was how I would portray him in the final painting.

Although the first two photos I've shown you are beautiful, as he is mostly in shade in both, we are missing the full effect of his amazing glossy coat.

The next step in the process:

The studies

Then I painted a series of studies. The two different faces of Badger are painted to help me choose which angle showed the essence of Badger more clearly. Often at this point the client will look at the studies and add their thoughts to the decision process.

I also painted a study of the garden stairs without him, to familiarise myself with the ins and outs of this landscape.

Study One

20 cm x 25 cm

Acrylic on Canvas

$400.00AUD

Study Two

'Happy Boy'

20 cm x 25 cm

Acrylic on Canvas

Study Three

'Garden Stairs'

Acrylic on Canvas

25 cm x 20cm

To put it all together and fine tune the composition, Next I drew a pencil study of the whole scene.

Study Four

Pencil and wash on beige paper.

26 x 31cm

The Badger, Himself

Oil and acrylic on canvas

50 x 60 cm

Private Collection.

Would you like a portrait like this of your friend?

$4,000AUD

The Badger, Himself

Detail

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All images on these pages are copyright and may not be used without my permission.

© Helen Wells 2005