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David Shepherd Art

English, 1931-2017

David Shepherd was born in the UK in 1931. He was not only one of his generation’s most well-known artists, but also an outspoken preservationist. At the age of just eight years old, he won a painting competition for the magazine Nursery World, marking the beginning of his painting career. Yet, after his school years, he traveled to Kenya in the hopes of becoming a game warden. Though he was rejected, the trip would ignite his passions for wildlife and wildlife preservation. He continued to paint throughout his lifetime, and many of his canvases took as their subjects the wildlife that he had grown to love. In addition to his animal subjects, he also dedicated paintings to the locomotive. He was a famed collector of steam locomotives, devoting much of his time later in his life to the preservation of these powerful engines. Shepherd was heavily involved in the founding of a heritage steam railway, the East Somerset Railway, and owned a number of historic locomotives. Both his painting of animals and steam engines were remarkably popular amongst the collecting public, and they remain highly prized today.

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Artist: David Shepherd
Giant Refreshed, 1953. BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, Canopus.Aircraft Aviation.
By David Shepherd
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
David Shepherd. English ( b.1931 – d.2017 ). Giant Refreshed, 1953. BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, Canopus Oil on Canvas. Signed & dated 1953 lower right. Image size 19.7 inches x 29.5 inches ( 50cm x 75cm ). Frame size 24.2 inches x 34.3 inches ( 61.5cm x 87cm ). Available for sale; this original oil painting is by David Shepherd and is dated 1953. The painting is presented and supplied in its original frame (which is shown in these photographs). The painted surfaces, the canvas and the frame are entirely in their original untouched condition. No restoration, cleaning or conservation has been performed on the piece. This vintage painting is in very good condition, commensurate with its age. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display. The painting is signed and dated 1953 lower right. The reverse carries the title and the address of David Shepherd’s parents’ house at Frimley Hall, Camberley, Surrey which was his home in his early twenties. Provenance: The artist’s estate. One of Britain’s best known and loved artists, David Shepherd CBE was a passionate advocate for engineering achievements and conservation, both of which are widely represented in his wonderful works. This respected artist and author was hugely successful, earning an enduring international reputation and wide collector base. Richard David Shepherd was born in Hendon, London on 25th April 1931. He showed early artistic talent and attended Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. After leaving school he travelled to Kenya in the hope of becoming a game warden but was rejected. He returned to the UK with the hope of studying art at the Slade School but was rejected there too. He was considering becoming a bus driver when, following a chance encounter, he was taken on by the artist Robin Goodwin, who trained him in Chelsea for three gruelling years. Shepherd began his artistic career as an aviation artist, prompted by his early boyhood experience in London during the Blitz. He was well suited to painting aircraft because he had been taught to be accurate, while avoiding the pitfalls of making a painting look like a photograph. His passion for aircraft endured and he was a founder-member of the Society of Aviation Artists. Shepherd’s talents were recognised and he was commissioned to paint many military works by the Royal Navy, the Parachute Regiment, the Green Howards and the Special Air Service...
Category

Mid-20th Century Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Eyes of the Tiger
By David Shepherd
Located in London, GB
Tiger head looking over its shoulder. “I have long admired David Shepherd and his love of the big wild animals. In almost everyone’s eyes he will be forever peerless in his abilit...
Category

Late 20th Century David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Grapeshot, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd paints a hyperrealistic portrait of a woman adorned with white flowers. "The eye is like a fingerprint, it uniquely identifies us," says D...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

"Herd of Elephants", David Shepherd, 20x35.5, Original Oil, Realistic Wildlife
By David Shepherd
Located in Dallas, TX
This orginal oil painting entitled "Herd of Elephants" measures 20x35.5 unframed. It is finished with a white-washed rustic frame with a silver inlay. An elephant herd travels through the African...
Category

1980s American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Healthy Choices II, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd paints a hyperrealistic close-up image of lips sipping on a flower. A torrent of dewy nectar drips slowly to the subject's mouth. Her spar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Your Eye Is A Diamond (ii), Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage," says artist David Shepherd. He presents a vibrant, realistic piece of a face covered in vibrant flowers. A prismatic light...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Gaining Ground, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd promotes and explores the idea of united humanity regardless of who he paints. Focusing on the eye in this hyperrealistic piece, he surrou...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Steel Magnolia, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd paints a hyperrealistic image of an eye surrounded by dewy magnolias in full bloom. He explores the idea of united humanity by obscuring the identity of his subject. "As we move forward in history, we move past the limitations of gender and race to see all people as equal and able to have a voice in society and be seen as beautiful," says David. The piece draws a symbolic comparison between the uniqueness of every flower and the singularity of a person.


About the Artist
Canadian artist David Shepherd fuses techniques from both old and modern masters to create contemporary interpretations of the human form. While offering strong nods to pop art and cubism, the work remains grounded by David’s training in 19th Century academic realism. Combining discrete techniques within a single tableau is initially jarring to the viewer, creating an unexpected visual complexity in the work and demonstrating the artist’s breadth of skills. “I think in the future we will be much more interested in works of art that show a mastery of multiple styles,” says David. Each artwork effectually suggests the surreal nature of human existence within a convoluted modern society.


Words that describe this painting: flower, floral, portrait, child, realism, hyperrealism, photorealism, eye, beauty, rainbow, bright, love, petals, detailed, oilpaint, people, people, flora, realism, oil painting, white


Steel Magnolia...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Blending In, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A hyperrealistic close-up view of an eye surrounded by vibrant red and yellow flowers in full bloom. "The viewer cannot know if the model is a man or woman, a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Loose Lips Sink Ships, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
"The flowers hide the face so that you don’t make assumptions about the model, you focus on the beauty of existence," states artist David Shepherd. "You appreciate that they are a person without any impressions of their character. When I compose a painting I think back to my childhood memories. It ties in with what I was saying above. When you’re a child it’s much easier to make friends and enjoy people. That innocence allows for such pure emotion. I always try and get back to that feeling when I’m composing my work."


About the Artist
Canadian artist David Shepherd fuses techniques from both old and modern masters to create contemporary interpretations of the human form. While offering strong nods to pop art and cubism, the work remains grounded by David’s training in 19th Century academic realism. Combining discrete techniques within a single tableau is initially jarring to the viewer, creating an unexpected visual complexity in the work and demonstrating the artist’s breadth of skills. “I think in the future we will be much more interested in works of art that show a mastery of multiple styles,” says David. Each artwork effectually suggests the surreal nature of human existence within a convoluted modern society.


Words that describe this painting: flowers, floral, portrait, realism, hyperrealism, photorealism, hyperreal, face, beauty, eye, rainbow, calm, calming, love, lips, people, large, people, flora, realism, oil painting, pink


Loose Lips...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Within and Without, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
In this hyperrealistic painting of a close-up view of an eye framed by delicate white flowers, artist David Shepherd investigates taking people out of gender....

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Amor Fati, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
"I endeavor to make paintings that are calming and pleasurable to look at," says artist David Shepherd. In this hyperrealistic painting of a close-up view of an eye framed by delicate flowers, David investigates taking people out of gender. "Today and in the future, more and more people will use science to change themselves," says David. "The viewer cannot know if the model is a man or woman, a boy or girl. Regardless of this, all people are beautiful. Our eyes are a window to our souls, which is the truth of who we are."


About the Artist
Canadian artist David Shepherd fuses techniques from both old and modern masters to create contemporary interpretations of the human form. While offering strong nods to pop art and cubism, the work remains grounded by David’s training in 19th Century academic realism. Combining discrete techniques within a single tableau is initially jarring to the viewer, creating an unexpected visual complexity in the work and demonstrating the artist’s breadth of skills. “I think in the future we will be much more interested in works of art that show a mastery of multiple styles,” says David. Each artwork effectually suggests the surreal nature of human existence within a convoluted modern society.


Words that describe this painting: flowers, floral, portrait, child, hyperrealism, photorealism, face, still life, political, gender, transition, controversial, eye, people, flora, realism, representational, contemporary, oil painting, white


Amor Fati...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Never Going Back, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A hyperrealistic painting of a close-up view of an eye framed by glistening white and pink flower petals. Part of artist David Shepherd's series investigating...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Passing Ships in the Night, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Provocative hyperrealist oil painting created with breathtaking detail. Artist David Shepherd explains that he used the glass surface in this piece as a light...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Sustension, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Provocative hyperrealist oil painting created with breathtaking detail. Artist David Shepherd used water and flowers to create a feeling of life, and to serve...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Healthy Choices, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
In this provocative hyperrealist painting, artist David Shepherd uses honey and leaves as symbols of health, well-being and sexuality. "By only showing a part...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Velocity, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
"How do you capture movement in a picture? How do you give off that feeling of joy you experience revving an engine?" says David Shepard...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Tiger
By David Shepherd
Located in Belgravia, London, London
Oil on canvas Canvas size: 20 x 34 inches Framed size: 28.25 x 42.5 inches Signed lower right
Category

20th Century Impressionist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Kiss, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Part of David Shepherd's latest series of hyperrealist paintings focusing on women's lips. A sensual portrait rendered in extremely precise painting. Among ot...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Oculus, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Part of David Shepherd's latest series of hyperrealist paintings focusing on women's faces. A sensual portrait rendered in extremely precise painting. Among o...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Honey Dust, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Part of David Shepherd's latest series of hyperrealist paintings focusing on women's faces. A sensual portrait rendered in extremely precise painting. Among o...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Plastic
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
In this hyperrealistic painting, David depicts a model holding plastic to her face. The work is meant as a commentary on global warming and a need to plan fo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

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Previously Available Items
The Family at Rest
By David Shepherd
Located in London, GB
Three zebras relaxing in the sunshine. “I have long admired David Shepherd and his love of the big wild animals. In almost everyone’s eyes he will be forever peerless in his abili...
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20th Century David Shepherd Art

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Canvas, Oil

Deep in the Forest, Jaguar
By David Shepherd
Located in London, GB
A Jaguar by David Shepherd. “I have long admired David Shepherd and his love of the big wild animals. In almost everyone’s eyes he will be forever peerless in his ability to bring...
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20th Century David Shepherd Art

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Canvas, Oil

Fresh Start, Oil Painting
By David Shepherd
Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Provocative hyperrealist oil painting rendered with breathtaking detail. "The world is a strange place," says artist David Shepherd. "Parents trying to interp...

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Original Vintage British Railways Poster Service By Night - King's Cross London
By David Shepherd
Located in London, GB
Original vintage British Railways poster - Service by Night - featuring a great design by David Shepherd (1931-2017) depicting a steam train travellin...
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1950s David Shepherd Art

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Paper

In the Sheds, Swindon
By David Shepherd
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional oil on canvas was composed by the great British artist David Shepherd. Masterfully composed, it brings together two of the renowned painter’s passions - painting and steam locomotives. Shepherd owned a number of locomotives, all of them British built, which came to serve as the basis for his most coveted oils. Highly detailed, the works bring to life the majesty and might of British industry through the form of these titans of the railways. In In the Sheds...
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20th Century Academic David Shepherd Art

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Canvas, Oil

David Shepherd art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David Shepherd art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by David Shepherd in oil paint, paint and more. Not every interior allows for large David Shepherd art, so small editions measuring 13 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Howard Chandler Christy, Nicholas Berger, and Wes Hempel. David Shepherd art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,725 and tops out at $4,725, while the average work can sell for $4,725.

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