Bottlenosed Dolphins | Acrylic Painting

RIDING THE WAVES

12" x 16"
​Completed July 2018
Hello again Karen,
You have given me some beautiful examples of wildlife, by way of your awesome artwork. However, I need another piece to round out this enviable collection. So far, it includes animals of both land and sky, BUT, a sea creature also needs to adorn my walls. If you get involved with ocean animals as subjects, I would like to utilize your talent once more. I was thinking of a dolphin or orca frolicking in the sea. The 12 x 16 size works for me. Whether it be acrylic or colored pencil, that would be your choice alone.
​
Ray, a charming gentleman from the USA, has acquired several of my artworks since the early 2000s, including a recent pair of Barn Owls rendered in coloured pencils. This time he has now commissioned a custom piece to complement the aquatic-themed collection on his wall. He gave me the freedom to select the composition, and I dedicated time to crafting the reference image. The reference emerged from a compilation of various photographs, assembled into a mock-up using an editing program. Several mock-ups were presented to Ray, from which he chose his favourite.​
Acrylic painting of three bottlenosed dolphins leaping above the waves
Completed painting
I find it fulfilling to create paintings depicting wildlife or landscapes, as it allows me the freedom to experiment with different compositions and colours. I spent considerable time adjusting the tones and details in the water until I was satisfied with the final result, which looked better than the photo I used as a reference. It was an enjoyable and rewarding process.
After carefully considering his options, Ray ultimately decided against ordering a frame for his acrylic painting. Instead, he opted to visit a local framer to choose a moulding that would perfectly complement the piece personally. However, in the meantime, I took it upon myself to display the painting in a spare studio frame. By doing this, I wanted to showcase just how much of an impact the right frame can have on a piece of art's overall appearance and aesthetic. From the selection of colours to the style of the frame itself, every detail can make a difference. Ray decided not to order a frame for the painting, as he wanted to choose one with a local framer. However, I used a spare studio frame to display the acrylic painting. This helps to showcase how the selection of particular styles and colours can enhance the appearance of the final artwork.
Customer Testimonial
​
" The dolphin painting is absolutely gorgeous!
​It is impossible to thank you enough!
I have been fortunate enough to see your talent
​firsthand on many occasions!
With greatest admiration "

 New York
Ray P. Reis

Buy a Giclee Print

Even though the original painting has sold, you can still purchase giclee prints. I offer a giclee print option with a pre-sized mount that fits a standard frame for your convenience. You can choose A4, suitable for a 12" x 16" frame, or A3, which fits a 16" x 20" frame.

I only have one A4 print in stock. If you're interested in getting extra prints, each one is custom-made and may take up to 10 days to arrive.

A4 - £55.00*
​A3 - £70.00*


* ​Prices include free postage within the UK. If you are outside the UK and would like to make a purchase, please request a quote before placing your order.


​Commission a bespoke portrait

If you're looking for a custom portrait of a wildlife scene, perhaps as a unique gift for someone special or to mark a memorable event, you can choose the medium that suits your taste, be it coloured pencils, acrylic paints, or oil pastels.  ​For more information, please visit my commissions page or contact me to share your ideas.
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