Carpe Diem

Jasper is a Springer Spaniel and he does spring, with boundless enthusiasm as he dives for his prey, which is half a tennis ball on a piece of string.  As I described in my last post Anatomy and Cornwall, apart from being my model, this is Jasper’s work. 

As I watch him I just find it so refreshing that his enthusiasm for what he does never wavers. How many worries do we have to deal with in the day and then feel frustrated that we have spent too much time just worrying about it all instead of seizing the day, carpe diem! 

How to catch the spring? I first, as always, started with many attempts at sketching, trying to remember his position in mid flight and the energy he puts into it:

Instead of my usual bic pen, I’ve been trying a dark sepia fineliner.

Then with the little knowledge of anatomy I created the pose and with a photo I took as reference, I added the details.

Apart from studying Jasper, I do believe that his energy has come through in this painting, something that happens when you draw and paint that science can’t quite describe and it’s my favourite of him to date.

To celebrate I’ve had a print made (limited edition of 50) which you can find in my shop and with the code FRIENDS22 there’s a discount of 15%, as a thank you for following us.

Forget your worries and carpe diem!