For Valentine's Day, I wanted to create something deeply personal for my partner. We had recently welcomed a rescue Cattle Dog pup into our lives, he was just 10 months old when we got him; and since they are my partner's absolute favourite breed, sitting down to draw this felt incredibly special. It’s a celebration of a new chapter, a rescue journey, and the undeniable bond of a loyal companion.

The composition captures the classic, alert stance of an Australian Cattle Dog, zeroing in on that incredibly sharp, intelligent gaze and the signature "eyepatch" marking that gives the breed so much personality.

Hand-inked on an A3 canvas. I focused heavily on capturing the unique, mottled coat pattern, utilizing a complex mix of dense black fields for the heavy patch over the eye and fine, scattered stippling to mimic the distinct speckled blue-heeler look across the torso and legs.

Working dog fur is short, dense, and weather-resistant, which means the shading requires a highly structural, directional approach. I carefully mapped out the direction of the fur around the alert ears and the chest ruff, ensuring the muscle definition underneath felt powerful and true to the breed's working heritage.

Gifted as a surprise for Valentine's Day, this drawing bridges the gap between commercial portfolio work and pure, sentimental storytelling. It stands as a permanent, hand-inked reminder of the day our rescue pup became a part of the family, making it an incredibly treasured milestone in the studio archive.