There is something captivating about African Wild Dogs. Their alert ears, intelligent eyes, and beautifully unique markings make them one of Africa’s most striking predators. They are also one of the continent’s most endangered species, which makes spending time studying and sketching them feel even more meaningful.

This A1 charcoal on canvas portrait has now reached the 13-hour mark, and I thought it would be a good time to share a look behind the scenes at the journey so far.

From the very beginning, my goal wasn’t simply to create a realistic likeness of a wild dog. I wanted to capture that unmistakable expression they carry — a combination of curiosity, intelligence, awareness, and quiet intensity. The eyes were always going to be the focal point of the piece, so they were among the first areas I developed in detail.

Working with charcoal on canvas presents its own challenges. Unlike paper, the canvas weave remains visible throughout much of the process, requiring countless layers and carefully placed marks to create the illusion of soft fur while still allowing the texture of the surface to contribute to the character of the artwork. Every individual hair has been built gradually, layer by layer, rather than rushed.

The progression from the early stages to where the sketch stands now has been incredibly rewarding. What began as a few carefully placed eyes and a nose slowly evolved into the distinctive facial markings, then the ears, and finally the deeper shadows that define the structure of the head and neck. Each session adds another level of depth and realism.

One of my favourite areas to work on has been the ears. African Wild Dogs have such expressive ears, and they play a huge role in the animal’s character. Building the layers of fur, subtle tonal shifts, and soft highlights within those large ears took patience, but they have become one of the strongest features of the piece.

The eyes have also continued to develop throughout the process. I often revisit them repeatedly, refining reflections, contrast, and tiny details until they begin to feel alive. For me, wildlife art is often won or lost in the eyes. If they don’t hold a sense of life and personality, the portrait never truly connects with the viewer.

As the darker areas of the muzzle and neck emerged, the portrait started gaining much more presence. These rich charcoal blacks help frame the lighter fur and create the dramatic contrast that makes African Wild Dogs so visually striking. Establishing these values correctly is essential because they create the foundation upon which all the finer fur details sit.

At this stage, the portrait is still very much a work in progress. There is plenty of refinement ahead, particularly in the neck, chest, transitions between fur patterns, and subtle tonal adjustments throughout the face. Wildlife portraits often reach a point where they appear nearly finished from a distance, yet still require many additional hours of careful observation and detail work.

What I enjoy most about this process is watching the animal slowly emerge from a blank white canvas. Each layer of charcoal reveals a little more personality, a little more character, and a little more of the spirit that first inspired me to choose the subject.

Thirteen hours in, this African Wild Dog is beginning to look back at me from the canvas, and I’m excited to continue pushing the details further in the coming sessions.

Thank you to everyone following along with the progress. Your support, encouragement, and appreciation for wildlife art make these long hours at the easel incredibly worthwhile.

I look forward to sharing the next stage of the journey as this portrait continues to develop.

Charcoal on canvas • A1 size • 13 hours completed and still growing. 🐾