Subject: Observational Studies of the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Before setting pigment to panel, spending time observing my subject is where a piece truly begins. These sketchbook pages are exercises in study – a way to build deep familiarity with the red fox, train the eye, and understand the subtle, living dynamics of the species before translating them into finished studio works. Experiencing these animals firsthand in the wild reveals details that no reference photo can fully capture. Working through anatomical studies allows me to practice translating those live encounters into expressive, fluid line work, whether I’m recording a quiet upward gaze tracking movement in the high canopy, capturing the gentle weight of a vixen carrying her pup, or mapping out the buoyant, tumbling energy of young kits exploring outside the den. This process of close observational drawing is how I familiarize myself with a subject’s form and spirit, recalling memories of close observations, ensuring that when I approach a major studio work, the true character of the animal is already deeply understood.

Have you ever had the opportunity to observe red foxes or young litters in the wild? I would be glad to hear about your own field encounters and observations.