Painting with David Shepherd

Rating:
Summary: Great secrets revealed by a great artist.
Review: When it comes to artwork, I have always admired that which is so accurate it could almost be a photograph - emphasis on "almost." The shipwreck paintings in Bob Ballard's books are a good example of this. When it comes to wildlife - especially African wildlife, however, I can think of no artist in the entire world other than David Shepherd who can make his subjects come to life on a piece of canvass. He does the same with portraits, landscapes, aircraft, famous ships and glorious steam engines. One of his paintings of British paratroopers in action (Suez 1956) hangs in the Officers' Mess of 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

There is, therefore, far more to David Shepherd's work than just the elephants for which he has become particularly famous. In addition, he has such a passion for the subjects he paints that he founded the "David Shepherd Conservation Foundation" through which he has channelled enormous funds towards helping and protecting endangered species of the world. How often do we find him on radio and television as he continually draws attention to this subject and that plight.

"Painting with David Shepherd" is not any old "how to" book. This is a book where one of Britain's most popular and successful artists shares his secrets in order to help other artists with their work. Whilst those who know something about this man may well have expected to find a picture of one of his Elephant paintings on the front cover, be assured, this is not all about wildlife. After an informative introduction in which he suggests the reader be prepared to completely re-think their traditional approaches to oil painting, we find sections on; Materials & methods, sketchbook, wildlife, landscapes, trains, boats & planes, the past and portraits. I particularly liked the way in which he draws the readers attention to incidental detail - all of which goes towards the production of a great work of art.

In short, there is something in this book for every artist - be they well established or simply aspiring. I am not an artist - but I have also thoroughly enjoyed this book.

NM