Double Rifles & Dangerous Game Series

David recognising the beauty, grace and art implicit in double rifles themselves has begun a series of artworks featuring Double Rifles and Dangerous Big Game.

The first, an artwork featuring the African Cape Buffalo, "Black Death" to many is a great place to start. A species targeted by many hunters today, it is a fine dangerous game trophy and well worthy of such an artwork.

"When a two's company and three's a crowd"

The attention to detail is evident in the detail of this scene.

The buffalo, erect and alert, muscles flexing, has not yet chosen whether to charge or flee. Alerted by the approaching footsteps of the hunter, he rapidly rises to stand and face the intruder. His sudden movement sends the heron flying ... the synergy in the encounter is mirrored by the engraving in the full sidelocks of the double rifle. Surely this rifle was made by its maker, a British master gunsmith long ago, just for this prophetic encounter? But what will be the outcome? (words by NitroX)

The second in the series, featuring African lions and a hurriedly loaded double rifle.

"Checking the charge"

... the hunter chances upon a pride of lions feeding on the freshly killed carcase of a zebra. The tension in man and beast is evident as he hurriedly but competently loads two cigar sized Nitro Express cartridges into the chamber of the broken double rifle. But the lioness snarls and tenses her muscles to spring, while the lion crouches to begin his rush ... with only two rounds and only metres separating the man from the beasts, will he be fast enough to save himself? (words by NitroX)

Close up of the lions

Close up of the action.

David uses real double rifles as the models for his paintings. Studies the animals and also the vegetation is correct for the area the scene is set in.

The third in the series promises to be a special painting. Stay tuned to this eMagazine in the future.