White charcoal on black canvas | 60.9 × 91.4 cm

Some animals are more than just beautiful subjects to draw. They become symbols of resilience, strength, and the quiet determination to survive.

My latest artwork, Against the Darkness, is a tribute to one of Africa’s most iconic and increasingly threatened animals: the rhinoceros.

A presence that refuses to be ignored

I wanted this piece to capture more than the physical appearance of a rhino. I wanted to convey its presence — the weight of its strength, the determination in its movement, and the sense that it will not simply step aside.

The rhino faces the viewer directly, emerging from the darkness with light catching one side of its powerful form. Dust and subtle movement around its feet add to the feeling of something ancient and formidable moving forward.

To me, this is where the idea of defiance comes in.

Not aggression for the sake of aggression, but defiance against a world that has placed these magnificent animals under immense pressure. Against poaching, habitat loss, and the relentless demand for their horns. Against the possibility that future generations might know rhinos only through photographs, books, and artworks.

There is something deeply moving about an animal that has survived for millions of years, yet now depends so heavily on human choices for its future.

Against the Darkness represents that struggle. The darkness is not simply the background of the artwork; it symbolises the threats surrounding rhinos today. The light represents hope, awareness, and the possibility of a different future.

It is a reminder that their survival is not guaranteed — and that we still have a responsibility to protect it.

My first experience with white charcoal on black canvas

This artwork also marked a first for me: working with white charcoal on black canvas.

I have always been drawn to the dramatic possibilities of monochrome wildlife art, particularly the way light can reveal the character and texture of an animal. But working in white on black completely changes the process.

With traditional black charcoal on a light surface, I build shadows and deepen the darkest areas to create form. With white charcoal on a black surface, the process is almost reversed. The darkness is already there, waiting to become part of the artwork. Instead of drawing the shadows, I gradually build the light.

White charcoal is a drawing medium made with light-coloured pigments and binders, rather than the carbon-based black pigment used in traditional charcoal. It allows an artist to create highlights, soft transitions, and striking contrasts on dark surfaces.

The black canvas became an active part of the composition, allowing me to leave areas untouched and use the white marks selectively. Every highlight had to earn its place. Too much light could flatten the form, while too little could cause important details to disappear.

It was a different way of thinking, observing, and working — one that challenged me to be more deliberate with every mark.

And that is part of what I love about creating art: there is always something new to learn, even within a medium you know well.

Art with a purpose

For me, wildlife art has never been only about creating something beautiful to hang on a wall. It is also about creating a connection between people and the animals that share our world.

A drawing can capture attention, but I hope it can also inspire curiosity, conversation, and a deeper appreciation for the wildlife we still have the privilege of protecting.

Conservation is at the heart of my work. Thirty per cent of every artwork purchase is donated to a conservation organisation chosen by the buyer. This is a commitment that forms part of my brand and reflects why I create wildlife art in the first place.

I believe that art can be a small but meaningful part of something much bigger. Every piece has the potential to support conservation efforts while giving someone a lasting connection to a species that deserves a future.

Because protecting wildlife is not only the responsibility of those working in the field. It is something we can all contribute to, in different ways.

A thank you for the inspiration

A special thank you to Viljoen, whose photograph provided the inspiration and reference for this artwork.

Wildlife photography is such an important part of the creative process for artists like me. A photograph captures a fleeting moment — the light, the posture, the expression — and gives me the opportunity to interpret that moment through my own medium and perspective.

I am grateful for the opportunity to use that inspiration to create something that not only celebrates the beauty of the rhino, but also carries a message close to my heart.

Against the darkness, there is still hope

Creating this piece was both a technical challenge and a reminder of why I continue to dedicate my art to African wildlife.

The rhino stands as a symbol of resilience, but resilience alone cannot save a species. Protection, awareness, and action matter.

I hope that when someone looks at Against the Darkness, they see more than a drawing. I hope they see an animal worth fighting for, a future worth protecting, and a reminder that even in the face of immense challenges, there is still room for hope.

Because the darkness does not have to win.

And perhaps that is the greatest form of defiance of all.

After 25 hours of work, countless layers of charcoal, and many moments of stepping back to reconsider the composition, Fading Into Silence is finally complete.

This A1 charcoal-on-canvas artwork was inspired by one of Africa’s most remarkable and endangered predators: the African wild dog.

Wild dogs are often overlooked when people think of Africa’s iconic wildlife. Lions, leopards and elephants tend to capture most of the attention, yet wild dogs are among the continent’s most successful hunters and one of its most threatened carnivores. With populations continuing to decline due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, disease, and fragmentation of wild spaces, their disappearance is often gradual and easy to miss.

That quiet disappearance became the inspiration behind this piece.

The Meaning Behind the Artwork

At first glance, the artwork appears to be a portrait of a single wild dog standing alert and watchful.

Look a little longer, however, and faint forms begin to emerge from the background.

Three ghost-like wild dogs linger behind the main subject, slowly fading into the surrounding space.

These figures represent the gradual loss of a species that once occupied much larger areas of Africa. They are not intended to be dramatic or confrontational. Instead, they reflect something quieter—the absence left behind when wildlife populations decline.

The title, Fading Into Silence, refers not only to the disappearance of individual animals but also to the gradual loss of presence. Many species do not vanish suddenly. They simply become less common, less visible, and eventually absent from places where they once belonged.

The artwork serves as a reminder to appreciate and protect what still remains before that silence becomes permanent.

Working with Charcoal on Canvas

This piece was created entirely in charcoal on canvas, a medium I have grown to love for its ability to capture both strength and subtlety.

Charcoal allows me to build rich dark values while also creating delicate transitions and atmospheric effects. Throughout the process, the main wild dog was developed through multiple layers, gradually refining the fur texture, facial features, and expression.

One of my favourite aspects of working with charcoal is the balance between adding and removing material. Much of the detail is created through a process of layering charcoal and then lifting highlights back out, allowing light to emerge from the darkness. This technique creates depth and softness that feels particularly suited to wildlife subjects.

The ghost dogs were intentionally kept subtle. Rather than rendering them with the same level of detail as the main subject, they were allowed to dissolve into the surrounding space, creating an impression rather than a fully defined form.

The Process

This artwork took approximately 25 hours to complete.

As with many of my wildlife pieces, the process began by establishing the major shapes and values before gradually refining smaller details.

The ears, eyes and facial structure became the primary focus early on, while the fur was developed through countless individual marks and layers.

Throughout the creation of the piece, I made a conscious effort to preserve the large areas of negative space surrounding the subject. Leaving sections of the canvas untouched allows the viewer’s attention to remain on the wild dog while also reinforcing the feeling of isolation and absence that inspired the artwork.

Sometimes what is left out of an artwork can be just as important as what is included.

Conservation Through Art

Wildlife art has always been more than simply creating realistic animal portraits for me.

Every species has a story, and I believe art can play an important role in helping people connect with wildlife on a deeper level. By creating artwork inspired by Africa’s incredible animals, I hope to encourage appreciation, curiosity, and ultimately conservation.

The African wild dog is a species that deserves far more attention than it receives. Intelligent, social, and incredibly efficient hunters, they are a vital part of the ecosystems they inhabit. Their future depends on continued conservation efforts and the protection of the landscapes they call home.

If this artwork encourages even one person to learn more about wild dogs and the challenges they face, then it has achieved something beyond the canvas itself.

Artwork Details

Title: Fading Into Silence
Medium: Charcoal on Canvas
Size: A1
Time Spent: 25 Hours

Thank you for following the journey of this artwork from the first charcoal marks through to the finished piece. Sharing the process has been every bit as rewarding as creating the artwork itself, and I look forward to sharing the next wildlife piece with you soon.