Calico cat in the grass

 Acrylics on Masonite, 20 x 15 cm:

This work is for sale. Contact me at brianvds@gmail.com.

Boxer

 Acrylics on Masonite, 15 x 20 cm:

This work is for sale. Contact me at brianvds@gmail.com.

Elephant in shallow water

 Acrylics on Masonite, 15 x 20 cm:

I rather enjoy painting very big subject matter in small format. This work is for sale. Contact me at brianvds@gmail.com

Also check out my Redbubble store for all manner of printable graphics, or my books page, if reading is your thing. 

Karoo shepherd

 Acrylics on Masonite, 15 x 20 cm:

SOLD

Also check out my books, if reading is your thing.

Monochrome elephant

 Acrylics on Masonite, 15 x 20 cm:

I now and then enjoy working in monochrome, particularly for this kind of subject, which isn't all that colorful to begin with.

Rooster portrait

 Acrylics on Masonite, ACEO (2.5 x 3.5 inches):

Yellow pansy butterfly

 Acrylics on canvas board, 5 x 7 inches (= about 13 x 18 cm):

SOLD

Assorted mini pictures

A bunch of small paintings, acrylics on Masonite, 65 x 90 mm (= ACEO size, 2.5 x 3.5 inches), which can be turned into handpainted fridge magnets by simply sticking a magnet to the back:

The above for sale on my Daily Paintworks Gallery.

SOLD

I rather enjoy painting these - quick, not overly serious, and they allow me to freely experiment with various subject matter, styles and techniques.

I am currently taking some time every day to upload one or two of these (plus a whole bunch of others) to my Bid-or-Buy store.

The Amazing Unusual Animal ABC

I have completed my latest adventure in children's book writing:

A is for apple, B for book? Says who? Here is an ABC book featuring some of the lesser known creatures of the world, with a bit of information about each.

Some sample pages:

Buy on Amazon

Cape hunting dog

Oil on Masonite, ACEO (= about 65 x 90 mm):

I haven't painted anything in ages, but have been itching to do so, and to try out a medium I haven't used in years, namely oils. I was rather relieved to see that while my painting has become a bit rusty, my old oil paints are for the most part still perfectly usable.

To start with, I stuck to a limited palette of black, white, yellow ocher and burnt umber. For this sort of subject matter you don't really need much else anyway, though the reference photo I used was definitely more colorful, particularly in the background.

Lilac-breasted roller

Acrylics on Masonite, 15 x 10 cm:

SOLD

Lots of mini-paintings

I have been rather busy with all manner of things, but made time to squeeze in small paintings whenever I could, trying out various styles and techniques. These are all about ACEO size, i.e. about 65 x 90 mm, and they are fun and quick to complete. They also give one opportunity to quickly try out new ideas or techniques.

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Nowadays I turn these into fridge magnets by simply sticking a magnet to the back. In this form they have been doing reasonably well at a local gallery. I think I may upload some to my Bid-or-buy store as well... 

Sheep in a meadow

Acrylics on Masonite, 20 x 15 cm:

This item may be for sale on my Bid-or-Buy store.

Morning sunbath

Acrylics on Masonite, 15 x 10 cm:

SOLD

Long-haired sheep

Acrylics on Masonite, ACEO (= 2.5 x 3.5 inches = 64 x 89 mm):

This item may be for sale on my Bid-or-Buy store.

Ear tag

Acrylics on Masonite, ACEO (= 2.5 x 3.5 inches = 64 x 89 mm):

SOLD

Cows are cute, so why not another one?

Grazing cow

Acrylics on Masonite, ACEO (= 2.5 x 3.5 inches, or 64 x 89 mm):

SOLD

It has been a while since I have done any painting; I have been busy working on a new children's book, which will hopefully be available some time in January 2020 - watch this space! But in the meantime, a little ACEO, just to keep me from going completely rusty.

Red-billed hornbill

Acrylics on Masonite, 20 x 15 cm:

The hornbills have a rather strange system of breeding. They breed in hollows in trees. The opening is mostly blocked off with a plaster made of mud and droppings, leaving only a narrow opening through which the male feeds the female and her chicks. When the hole becomes too small for its occupants, the female breaks out; the opening is then resealed as before, and the chicks fed by both parents until they are ready to leave the nest.

This item may be for sale on my Bid-or-Buy store. 

Caracal

Acrylics on Masonite, 20 x 15 cm:

I am not overly fond of painting predators. When I do, I decidedly prefer the smaller, lesser known ones, rather than the big glamorous ones like lions or leopards. Caracals are medium sized cats, and quite common throughout much of Africa, the Middle East and India, but are elusive and seldom seen.

This item may be for sale on my Bid-or-buy store.

Three springbok

Acrylics on Masonite, 20 x 15 cm:

The name springbok is from Afrikaans, meaning "jumping antelope." These medium-sized antelope are found in suitable habitat through much of the western half of southern Africa. They get their name from a curious behaviour known as "pronking" (from the Afrikaans, meaning "to show off"), in which they jump into the air in a stiff-legged posture. It is not clear what the purpose of this behaviour is.

This item may be for sale on my Bid-or-Buy store.