THE DOLPHINS PLEASURE – in the deep

DOLPHINS PLEASURE Dolphins pencil illustration

Proverb

A grateful heart
Gives a continual feast Dolphins pencil illustration
Treasury of simple pleasures
Abundantly prosperous
Our wealth is in the eye of the beholder
See inside
See outside
See above
And see below
Gratitude to God
Resourceful knowledge
Ask Jesus to teach
No limit to what He will show

THE STORY

I was commissioned to illustrate the three dolphins in 1994. Dolphins pencil illustration

My client wanted this illustration for his lounge and provided the photo reference.

As I drew, I was captivated by the dolphins playing freely in their own world. A deep sense of awe rose within me, stirred by the creative genius of God. My heart overflowed with praise beyond words.

The technique

The challenge was to capture the dolphin’s light and liquid grace through delicate mid-tone chiaroscuro. I experimented with blending 2B, 4B, and 6B leads and fingertip rubbings to create smooth transitions and depth.

I drew on archival, acid-free watercolour paper and sealed the illustration with UV-protective archival spray.

* Chiaroscuro (Italian for light-dark) in art is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition.

Other thoughts

Reproductions of this work could hang just as easily in New York apartments overlooking Central Park, sleek Manhattan business foyers, or a surfer’s bach on Australia’s Gold Coast.

To my embarrassment, I’ve lost track of the client I created it for. I’m hopeful our paths will cross again. When they do, I hope he’ll be pleasantly surprised by the artwork’s growing value.

STATUS and MATERIALS

ORIGINAL SOLD – * Reproductions available
2b, 4b, and 6b lead pencil on archival, acid-free watercolour paper.
* Original and Limited Edition reproductions supplied with Provenance, coded Authentication of Sale Certificate, and maintenance/care information.

25 LIMITED EDITION “ACRYLIC ENHANCED” FRAMED CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS
Please ask about the price and sizes on stretch-mounted, 12 colour, giclee-printed, archival UV-treated canvas.
>A master acrylic artist recreates the original painting over a digital print and uses hand-painted brushstrokes to replicate the original painting.

50 LIMITED EDITION CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS * 
Stretch mounted, unframed sizes | 1500 x 1080 – $1250  | 1000 x 720 – $960  |  750 x 540 – $650
* 12 colour Giglee-printed on 310gsm Aqueoarchival canvas or fine art archival paper. Protected with 2 coats of Museum Graded Timeless UV varnish.

OPEN EDITION POSTER ART PRINTS * 
Unframed sizes | 594 x short side – $120  |  420 x short side – $92
* Posters printed on fine art papers and treated with two coats of UV archival spray varnish.

FASHION and PRODUCTS

Images from “Dolphins Pleasure” are exhibited on multiple product lines at Fine Art America

SHIPPING

• Includes insurance and package/handling fees.
• The Original and Limited Edition reproductions ship with the Provenance-coded Authentication of Sale Certificate and maintenance information.
• Poster art prints ship in insured tubes.

AWARDS