Watch the process as I paint a group of Highland Cattle set against the dramatic backdrop of the Scottish Highlands.
I normally paint wildlife, but for this artwork I was commissioned to paint Scotland's most emblematic of animals: it's Highland cattle. I began with a trip to Glen Coe to gather reference material and then returned to my studio to set about painting.
Background
As always, I painted the background first, building up the detail on the sky, mountains, and stream layer by layer. This background is more detailed than my usual style but I like to make sure the background is complete before I add my subjects so that when I add the fur there is a backdrop behind each strand of hair. This ensures my subject sits naturally within its setting.
Adding blocks of colour
I begin adding the different colours to the scene, then the stream running through the landscape And with the basics down, it’s time to move to the easel. Here I start adding the details to really add depth to this painting. This painting is in oil paint which means I have to wait for each coat to dry before beginning the next. Once I'm ready to add the cattle I begin with the horns, this means I can work downwards without smudging the paint with my hand. I use a scalpel to create the texture of the highland cattle. Once I have the orange coat on, I use an airbrush to soften the effect. Working in oils gives me the chance to work in fine detail, which I add in layers until finally I'm happy that my cattle look lifelike. I hope you have enjoyed watching this process, from blank canvas to finished painting.
