Cock-Up by Nigel Hemming

One of Nigel's more modern limited editions, typically a dog on a white background, here a labrador looks up at a woodcock (or is it a pheasant?) just flying out of view.

I love how even the grass has been recoloured to more monochrome, as Nigel wants your focus to be on the full-coloured dog and game bird.

Labradors are of course popular breed for field sports, and I am sure this dog is out with his master, inspecting the grounds or on their way to a shoot.

Also, this is a rather special piece for Nigel, dedicated to a good friend: "I have dedicated my latest image, Cock-Up, to David. I think he would have liked that."

New for Winter 2012, Nigel Hemming's latest release: 'Cock-Up' features a gorgeous black looking up at a game bird, seemingly out of view.

We have Nigel's own commentary of this piece for you all, as follows, for this new November 2012 release:

"This is my first published image since the beginning of the year and it just had to be contemporary.

Over the years, I have painted a number of images of dogs gazing upwards at rising birds. The first was 'Watch the Birdy' back in 1997, the last being Cocker-The-Woods in 2009.

For a second, the dog stands as if petrified, paw frozen in mid-stride, eyes fixed skywards. The background and dog are painted in black and white - all but the eyes - the stark, monotone emphasising the stillness of the moment. In contrast, the Cock Pheasant is in full colour and disappearing from the top of the image to add impact and movement to the work."