She is drop-dead gorgeous, is tan year round and commands authority whenever she appears! Who other than Berk – the most stunning Rhodesian Ridgeback I have ever seen.

Her Mum Whitney has asked me to paint her two Ridgebacks and so here I present Berk.

My initial pencil drawing was the basis for the subsequent watercolour washes.

Initial line drawing

Over a few days I added more form and then fine-tuned for details.

Early loose watercolour washes being laid in to create form

I hope I have captured her spirit.

After painting this dog I realise that really I much prefer painting smooth-coated and short-haired dogs. Another lesson learnt!

What is your preference in doggies? Smooth and sleek or shaggy and rugged? I would love to see which is tops.

Berk in a framing suggestion I created