WIP: Tonka: Labrador/Rottweiler cross. Pen and ink on Claybord Smooth, 7 x 5 in, 2007.
After much fussing with the pencil sketch and a false start, I’ve started on my newest commission: a Labrador Retriever/Rottweiler cross named “Tonka.” He’s the beloved pet of a friend of the client, who’ll give it to the owner as a birthday present.
My false start was with the ears; usually dogs hold their ears in this position when they’re feeling anxious. One dog behaviourist, Suzanne Clothier (author of Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationship with Dogs http://www.flyingdogpress.com/bonesexcerpt.html ) calls this “airplane ears.” I did try a different position for the ears, but felt it ruined Tonka’s expression, so back they went.
