The Power of the Bull

Buffalos are not the sexiest African animal but they make a great subject if you like mud and
power! This bull is one I selected from a huge herd on one of my many safaris to Kenya. It
was just too much fun from start to finish; cool shadows on the horns and left flank,
contrasting with the sunlight from the left. When I paint this type of subject, there is no
finesse at the start; I dive in to my paint with dark transparent colours to get that rich deep
shadow. Some of the cooler colours can be slightly exaggerated on the canvas, but when
the viewer steps back, those colours - especially the blues - become correct.