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Shepherd often favoured the format consisting of three single-species subjects stood facing in the direction of the viewer, with one central animal flanked by two others shown in profile. In this example the artist has depicted three African buffalo, shown in a way that captures the essence of the creatures in a loose and dynamic portrayal, leaving the surrounding areas of the canvas incomplete and thus exposed. This focused view that is free from further incidental detail allows us as the viewer to absorb the general aspect of these creatures, much as one would with a human portrait. As we do so do we notice characteristics such as the varied formations of each buffalo’s large, curved horns, and the formidable shadow which they cast in the sunlight. David’s technique of combining photorealism with his broad impressionist style and his impeccably accurate palette, instantly strikes a chord with the viewer, but above all it is his love of the animals that shines through in his paintings creating an instant empathy for them with his audience.

 

David Shepherd is considered to be one of the finest wildlife artists of the last one hundred years. David’s distinctive style stems from a personal attachment with the animals of Kenya. As a boy, he dreamt of becoming a game warden to no avail, and was fortunate when his early artistic career as an aviation artist led to a commission from the RAF in 1960. On consignment in Kenya, inspired by the animals that he encountered, he painted his first wildlife painting which would change the course of his career; a rhinoceros chasing a Twin Pioneer aeroplane, capturing two of his great passions. It was also on this time trip in Kenya that David became passionate conservationist overnight when he saw 255 zebra poisoned to death by poachers.

 

Gladwell & Patterson have long championed David’s artistic and charitable work, across the three generations of the Fuller family. Our 275-year-old gallery has been privileged to display David’s superb paintings over the decades. Together the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, the gallery held the first retrospective exhibition of David’s work since his death in January 2019. The exhibition raised awareness and funds for the Foundations continuing work with a percentage of proceeds from the sale of the paintings during this exhibition donated to the Foundation for educational projects in Zambia.