In the Shade of Curiosity - Behind the Wild Dog Painting

There are moments in wildlife that feel both still and alive at the same time - and African wild dogs embody that balance perfectly. Their alert posture, intelligent eyes, and the quiet tension in the way they hold themselves have always drawn me in.

This piece, "In the Shade of Curiosity," began with a simple reference moment: a young dog pausing in the soft afternoon light, half-hidden by the shade, yet fully aware of everything around it.

I wanted to capture that exact energy - a mix of calm, curiosity, and quiet strength.

The First Strokes

every painting starts with structure. Before colour, before details, before any attempt at realism, there is shape. I built the form slowly, focusing on the line of the back, the gentle tilt of the head, and the grounded stance.

Wild dogs have beautiful irregular patterns - unlike zebras and leopards, no two markings are the same. This means every patch of fur has to be intentional, not copied. It's a puzzle, and that's what makes painting them so rewarding.

First layers on the canvas

Building the Fur and Form

This artwork really came to life when i began layering the warm browns, deep blacks, and soft creams.

Wild dog fur isn't smooth - it's textured, broken, and expressive. So each section required patient layering:

• Thin, almost transparent strokes for the under-fur

• Soft blending to create the illusion of the sunlight filtering through the trees

• Sharper, more defined strokes around the snout and ears to bring focus to the face

This stage is always my favourite,,, the moment the animal starts looking back at you.

Adding final layers and light

Capturing the Light

The light in this piece was everything. I wanted to create an atmosphere - that late-afternoon golden softness where the shadows are deep but warm, and everything feels calmer. The background stayed intentionally muted so the dog remained the visual anchor.

The result is a piece that feels still, but not quiet - as if the dog could shift it's weight or flick an ear at any moment.

"In the Shade of Curiosity" continues my love for wildlife storytelling - capturing animals not just as subjects, but as silent characters in moments of stillness. I hope this piece brings a sense of calm curiosity to the viewer, the same way it did for me while painting it.

You can follow more progress stories and artwork updates here on my page.