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.

A new book: Tall Trouble

Finally, my new children's book, Tall Trouble, is available at Amazon. Here's the cover:

Sarah finds a lost giraffe in the garden. But what on earth does one do with a giraffe? She finds out as they set off to find the giraffe's home...

Suitable for ages 5 - 8, or thereabouts.

Here's the free web version

If you enjoyed this story, please consider buying a copy:

Buy on Amazon

or make a donation of your choice by clicking the PayPal donate button in the side bar on the right. 

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.

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. 

Bullfrog

Acrylics on Masonite, 10 x 15 cm:

SOLD

The Afrikaans name for these huge frogs is "brulpadda" ("roaring frog"), and refers to their raucous calls, which can be heard from a very long way off. It is a common night sound after good rains, when the females lay their eggs in temporary stands of water.

Cape sparrow

Acrylic on Masonite, 15 x 20 cm:

SOLD

A bird and a big beast

Red-headed finch on a branch. Acrylic on Masonite, 15 x 20 cm:

SOLD

A big beast in a small painting: Grazing elephant. Acrylic on Masonite, ACEO, i.e. 2.5 x 3.5 inch (64 x 89 mm):

SOLD

 

Hoopoe

Acrylic on Masonite, 20 x 15 cm:

SOLD

Pug on the lawn

Acrylics on Masonite, 10 x 15 cm:

SOLD

Karoo donkey

Acrylics on Masonite, 20 x 25 cm:

SOLD