The Red Fox of School Street
Deborah Trent, 2022 · Watercolor on paper
The red fox in this painting is one of several that visit my yard daily, denning somewhere in the woods beside my home. The kits—usually two or three—often tumble through the front yard, curious about anything that catches their eye. I even have to gather the dog toys at night; the youngsters have been known to slip under the gate, snag a ball, and trot off to their den—caught red-fox-handed on the Ring camera.
Exhibitions & awards: ECRAC IMAGE Art Show (2023). Blue ribbon, Rutabaga Festival, Askov, Minnesota (2023).
Inspiration
I set out to capture the moment she sat, gazing at me with unwavering focus—just the faintest trace of a smile on her face.
Artistic Process
I began with a reference photo I’d taken of this fox and sketched a rough study of her face. The hardest parts were getting the nose right and hinting at that faint smile. For the background, I smudged the paint with a paper towel to soften the effect.
I did extensive blending to achieve the coat’s golden and deeper reddish tones.
- Brushes: grainer/rake; round (⅝, 2, 10); SNAP! Gold Taklon Wash 1".
- Paints: Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Payne’s Gray, Ivory Black, Sepia, Van Dyke Brown, Titanium White.
Reflections
The foxes in my woods still trot down “School St.” — named for the one-room schoolhouse that once stood at the end of the road. Who knows—maybe a few forgotten keepsakes from those children have found their way into the den.
Date of Creation
November 01, 2022