Against the Current

Watercolor on paper

Against the Current depicts Labrador Retrievers swimming through a raging river, emphasizing motion, resistance, and quiet endurance. The piece was painted in traditional watercolor, allowing the medium’s natural flow and unpredictability to mirror the movement of the water itself.

Loose washes and layered blues build the sense of rushing current, while the Labradors are rendered with more grounded structure—acting as visual anchors within the chaos. The contrast between control and surrender to the medium was a key part of the process, letting the paint contribute to the storytelling rather than forcing strict precision.

This work explores perseverance without spectacle—forward motion driven by focus and resolve rather than drama.

Medium & Details

Traditional watercolor on paper

Subject: Labrador Retrievers, water, motion

Themes: endurance, perseverance, movement

Process

A sped-up video of the painting process is available, showing the full watercolor workflow from blank paper to final piece:

🎥 Speed-painting video:
https://youtube.com/shorts/xy8_V3f6uaI?si=PEX9HWRC4ThFJI3j

Availability

Fine art prints of Against the Current are available here:
https://www.theartisticshepherdart.com/warehouse-open-edition-prints/art_print_products/against-the-current?product_gallery=458966&product_id=8587367

📖 Read the full breakdown on the blog:
https://www.theartisticshepherdart.com/blog/blog_posts/against-the-current-painting-labradors-in-a-raging-river