Giraffe

Oil on Birchwood Panel | 20″ x 21″

I started this piece in Spring, but as I passed the halfway point, we had a spike in temperatures. My studio
gets morning sun, and so for the first few hours of the day I needed to throw open the door and all the
windows – trying to summon up a breeze! As I watched the Giraffe form slowly in front of me, I began to
feel like I shared it’s natural habitat – as though I was sat on the African savannah, painting them as they
roamed about in front of me. Reaching up to the tops of the trees for the juiciest leaves.
This Giraffe has one of the gentlest faces I’ve ever painted, with huge expressive eyes and long lashes. The
fine hair shows every fold and wrinkle, ending with the velvety muzzle. Summery greens make up the
background, representing the trees of the savannah woodlands.
Whenever I look at this piece, I’m transported back to those hot summery days – with the bird song
coming in through the open windows.
Painted from reference photography by Hans Cornet
To create this painting, I’ve used my signature tool – a sword liner brush (typically reserved for
watercolours). Applying the layers of colour and texture using the wet-on-wet technique. Not waiting for
the layers to dry but pulling my brush through them while they’re still wet, creating clean, fine lines.
Painting small sections at a time, finishing each to completion before moving on to the next.
Finished with a protective layer of varnish. Framed in an exclusive hand-built moulding, with gold inlay.
Designed to accentuate without detracting or distracting. All materials used are vegan and cruelty-free.