A Guide to the Work of David Shepherd

David Shepherd (1931-2017) remains one of Britain’s most celebrated wildlife artists, famous for his paintings and conservation work.

Known for his careful attention to detail, Shepherd’s artistic career began in aviation painting, for which he received commissions from both commercial companies and the military. In fact, it was the Royal Air Force that commissioned him to capture Kenya’s natural beauty in 1960, and it was from this trip that he became known for his lively paintings depicting the beauty and vulnerability of animals in their natural habitats. Throughout his career, Shepherd travelled extensively, observing the landscapes of Africa and Asia first-hand through complete immersion in the local countryside. This dedication is evident in the vivid atmosphere and movement in his works, which often depict endangered species such as elephants, tigers, and rhinos.

^{David Shepherd - Bull Elephant in Long Grass}

^{Sold for £12,000}

Among David Shepherd’s most famous wildlife works are “Wise Old Elephant” and “The Waterhole Trilogy.”  “Elephant Heaven” is celebrated for its portrayal of elephants enjoying a mud bath in the sun, while “Tiger in the Sun” stands out for its lifelike depiction of a tiger basking in the heat, bringing the majestic animal to the forefront. However, Shepherd’s prolific oeuvre also included portraiture and his passion for steam trains. His railway paintings, such as “The Flying Scotsman,” earned him considerable acclaim, skilfully capturing a romantic former age, painted as Britain replaced steam with diesel in the late 60s and early 70s. In 1975, he founded the East Somerset Railway and collected several of his own steam engines, again illustrating the immersion with which he approached his passions.

^{David Shepherd - Herd of Bull Elephants in Long Grass}

^{Sold for £7,000}

Beyond art, Shepherd was dedicated to wildlife conservation. In 1984, he founded the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation to support endangered species. His paintings and prints have raised millions for conservation, earning him awards, first an OBE and later a CBE in 2008 for services to wildlife and art.

The collectors’ market for David Shepherd’s work is strong, reflecting both his artistic reputation and the popular appeal of his subject matter. Original oil paintings by Shepherd command high prices at auction, such as his “Aerial View of Westminster”, which sold at Bonhams for £111,000 in 2022. Limited-edition prints and lithographs are also highly sought after and offer more accessible price points for collectors. The value of his works is driven by their rarity, provenance, and the emotional connection many buyers feel towards the wildlife subjects. Notably, Shepherd’s paintings have been collected by institutions worldwide, reinforcing his standing as an artist of international significance.

^{David Shepherd - A Family of Elephants}

^{Sold for £5,500}

If you are interested in selling art by David Shepherd, our friendly team of experts at Dawsons would be delighted to help, offering a straightforward process: we will provide free, expert valuations, guide you on preparing your artwork for auction, whilst harnessing our dynamic in-house marketing to promote your piece across a huge international audience to help you achieve the best possible price. Recent successes here at Dawsons’ include ‘Bull Elephant in Long Grass’, a signed oil on canvas, which sold for £12,000.

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