Top Dog

SOLD - Commission (76cm x 101cm (32" x 42") Acrylic on canvas)
© Craig Bertram Smith
Please contact craig@wildlifeartist.co.za for enquiries or if you would like to get a commission painted.

Dogtooth tuna are a non-pallagic species patrolling deep drop offs, seamounts and steep underwater walls where they hunt other reef species. I wanted to emphasize its hunting habits by painting the scene in deep and low light conditions.

It is a powerful predator that is perfectly adapted to dark conditions as they possess large eyes, big jaws filled with fangs and streamlined torpedo-shaped bodies. In this piece I painted it chasing down one of the ocean speedsters - Kawa kawa to underline its agility and speed.

Preliminary Sketch