Fine Art Illustrations

These fine art works by artist and medical illustrator Susan Decker focus on the expressive beauty of animals and the natural world. Created in acrylics, oils, and charcoal, these paintings and drawings capture the personality, movement, and quiet strength of subjects such as dogs, horses, and donkeys. Designed to celebrate:

  • Observation – studying anatomy, gesture, and character through detailed rendering
  • Emotion – conveying the bond between animals and people through light and expression
  • Technique – combining classical realism with a contemporary sense of atmosphere and texture

Examples include lifelike portraits and landscapes that highlight form, light, and mood. Click on each image to view the full work.

Animal Studies in Portraiture

Chocolate Lab

Saddle Bred Horse

Pumpkin

- About These Illustrations -
  • Chocolate Lab Duck Hunting: Acrylic painting of a chocolate Labrador retriever duck hunting in a marsh, emphasizing anatomical accuracy, motion, and natural lighting.
  • Saddlebred Horse Portrait: Charcoal drawing of a Saddlebred horse showcasing fine detail, structure, and expressive realism.
  • Terrier Portrait: Realistic acrylic painting of a terrier dog capturing texture, personality, and anatomical precision.

Expressive Realism in Animal Form

Three Amigos

Northern Shoveler

Border Collie

- About These Illustrations -

  • Three Donkeys by a Barn: Charcoal drawing of three donkeys near a barn, highlighting proportion, gesture, and natural character.
  • Northern Shoveler Duck: Acrylic painting of a northern shoveler duck with attention to accurate plumage, form, and wetland habitat.
  • Border Collie Portrait: Charcoal portrait of a border collie emphasizing structure, expression, and lifelike detail.

Light, Reflection, and Natural Atmosphere

Cabin in the Woods

Nate

Hidden Valley Pond

- About These Illustrations -
  • Cabin with Red Roof: Acrylic painting of a mountain cabin with a red roof, focusing on depth, atmosphere, and light in a natural landscape.
  • Labrador Dog (Charcoal): Black and white charcoal drawing of a Labrador retriever highlighting anatomy, texture, and tonal contrast.
  • Fall Pond Scene: Realistic acrylic painting of a fall pond with tree and cloud reflections, emphasizing color harmony and stillness

Observation and Detail in Nature

Weimaraner

Red River Bridge

Eastern Red Squirrel

- About These Illustrations -

  • Weimaraner Portrait: Charcoal drawing of a Weimaraner dog showing smooth contour, proportion, and expressive realism.
  • Red River Bridge Sunset: Oil painting of a bridge over the Red River at sunset, focusing on composition, color, and perspective.
  • Eastern Red Squirrel: Pen and ink drawing of an eastern red squirrel eating pecans, emphasizing texture and anatomical accuracy.

Wildlife and Regional Studies

Harris Hawk

Texas Longhorn

Florida Pompano

- About These Illustrations -
  • Harris Hawk on Cactus: Acrylic painting of a Harris hawk perched on a cactus, combining detailed anatomy and regional wildlife study.
  • Texas Longhorn in Bluebonnets: Realistic acrylic painting of a Texas longhorn standing in a field of bluebonnets, emphasizing anatomy and environmental context.
  • Florida Pompano Fish: Watercolor painting of a Florida pompano fish highlighting form, iridescent color, and scientific accuracy.