Bigeye Sandtiger Hunting

Marc Dando | Water-based oil on canvas

I chose this species because it is such an enigmatic shark which I have close associations with. I wanted to portray a shark going about its normal activities - in this case hunting squid. I first started with going through all my references and finding new ones to help build up the sketch to the painting. This is then used to work up a painted rough which once the background is laid down, the shark and squid can be worked up. I could always keep working up a painting or illustration but there comes a point when I must stop, so I hope I stopped at the right point.

Marc Dando

After attaining a degree in Zoology my career first started as a graphic designer. As a commercial designer an opportunity occurred to work on various natural history projects, initially in design, but finally into scientific illustration.

The majority of my work has been wildlife based. Sealife: a complete guide to the marine environment was the first book I worked on, but it was Sharks of the World that established my reputation. Alongside the more traditional watercolour, pencil and pen and ink work, my illustrations are now almost exclusively computer-based. However occasionally I work on more artistic pieces and have had work exhibited at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco, The Mall Galleries in London and the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale. My illustrations can now be seen in many aquaria around the world but it’s my publication based work that can most often encountered.