“Cape Buffalo” (Syncerus caffer caffer), Signed and Numbered, Limited Edition Giclée Archival Prints (run of 50).

Description

I am donating 25% of the proceeds from original and print/NFT sales to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, at Sweetwaters, in Nanyuki, Kenya.

The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large sub-Saharan African bovine. Syncerus caffer caffer, the Cape buffalo, is the typical subspecies, and the largest one, found in Southern and East Africa. S. c. nanus (the forest buffalo) is the smallest subspecies, common in forest areas of Central and West Africa, while S. c. brachyceros is in West Africa and S. c. aequinoctialis is in the savannas of East Africa.

The adult African buffalo’s horns are its characteristic feature: they have fused bases, forming a continuous bone shield across the top of the head referred to as a “boss”. It is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous animals on the African continent, and according to some estimates, it gores, tramples, and kills over 200 people every year.

I have always been impressed by the phlegmatic, suspicious expressions on the cape buffalo I have encountered. They radiate menace and a deep distrust.

I started with a photo I took in 2017 at Sweetwaters safari park in Nanyuki, Kenya, in which my subject looked exceptionally dubious about being photographed. I then swapped out a more impressive set of horns from a photo by Vicki Jaron, which I found on Getty Images. Vicki kindly allowed me to use her image for reference. I stripped out the background and replaced it with one of my signature panels in a mustard orange blend.

The painting made extensive use of heavy glazing techniques and I used a new paper from Legion, called Legion Special Handmade, in 300lb rough, which has superlative charging and blending properties, keeps paint damp for longer than most and is spectacular for lifting. I used lifting techniques to add highlights to all of the wrinkles and creases around the eyes and on the horns.

See the step-by-step process here

To see painting details and to read about the conservation of these owls, check out the artwork in my “Gallery” section