'Tag' - The Wire-Haired Fox Terrier

'Tag' the Wire-Hair Fox Terrier, Oil on prepared paper, 38mm diameter

My latest miniature painting is of this dear little dog called Tag.

​Beloved by his owner, he sadly passed away earlier this year.
This was a very special commission intended as a surprise 'thank-you' gift to be presented at a public event. 
I'm told the recipient was very moved which is heart-warming for an artist.

Tag was painted in oil on a specially prepared heavy weight paper, and measures in at 38mm in diameter. That's pretty small but quite manageable with the aid of a magnifier. I mounted it in a chrome fob watch case which can be worn on a chain or just kept close to hand in a pocket or purse.

As is often the case the reference was a photo but I placed Tag in a different background setting of his owners beautiful lavender garden.

I've done a few pet portraits over the years but never one quite so small. You have to play a balancing act with the amount of detail in fur at this scale.

Daniel Rose