Cape Buffalo:

The following is part of a series of commissions that Jan is doing for DORADO EXPLORATION of Dallas, Texas. Don and Penny Schmidt have provided photos to Jan from their various hunts and Jan is utilizing these along with her own reference to do the paintings. Following is "A WHOLE LOT OF BULL" a 24 x 36" of cape buffalo that she is doing for them.

Jan has been traveling to Africa for over 10 years. She has been to Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya. She has sketched and photographed lots of Cape Buffalo during her travels.

On commissions Jan will do a sketch for approval. This was the original sketch which had one buffalo. Don requested to add more, the painting will now have three.

This photo shows the background started and the three buffalo blocked in with a background color of dark brown. To the left you can see some of the reference photos that Jan is using including the trophy photo with Don and his huge buffalo that Jan is using for the horn size and shape.

Jan has transferred her drawing to the painting with a white artist transfer paper. Jan has also begun doing the under detailing "drawing" with the off white paint.

Here is a close up of the detailing work. With the previous cougar painting (see "Go to Past Works in Progress" at bottom of page) the under detailing work was to create depth to the hair coat. With the Cape Buffalo the work is to create texture. The horns are of course very ridged and textured, but Cape Buffalo themselves are a challenge as they have very textured skin covered by sparse course hair.

The buffalo have had all the under detailing done, and then a unifying brown wash is put on all the buffalo.

Here the main buffalo is finished and some of the front grasses have been done.

Here is a closeup with the first two buffalo finished.

This is the finished painting "WHOLE LOT OF BULL" that will be in the corporate collection of DORADO EXPLORATION.