Skip to main content

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.

to
1
1
4
3
12
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
3
17
10
9
1
12
9
9
8
6
5
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
18
18
1
1
1
20
11,814
2,887
2,541
1,618
3
19
1
Artist: David Shepherd
Honey Dust, Oil Painting
Honey Dust, Oil Painting

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

Loose Lips Sink Ships, Oil Painting
Loose Lips Sink Ships, Oil Painting

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

Grapeshot, Oil Painting
Grapeshot, Oil Painting

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

The Flying Scotsman 4472 Steam Train signed ltd ed
The Flying Scotsman 4472 Steam Train signed ltd ed

The Flying Scotsman 4472 Steam Train signed ltd ed

By David Shepherd

Located in Hillsborough, NC

‘The Flying Scotsman’ is an iconic steam train running from Edinburgh to Kings Cross London. Dubbed ‘The Flying Scotsman’ when exhibited in 1924 the expres...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Laid Paper, Color, Offset

Giant Refreshed BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Canopus Airliner Aircraft Painting
Giant Refreshed BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Canopus Airliner Aircraft Painting

Giant Refreshed BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Canopus Airliner Aircraft Painting

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 2...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Blending In, Oil Painting
Blending In, Oil Painting

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

Your Eye Is A Diamond (ii), Oil Painting
Your Eye Is A Diamond (ii), Oil Painting

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

Healthy Choices II, Oil Painting
Healthy Choices II, Oil Painting

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 sp...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Lazarus, Oil Painting
Lazarus, Oil Painting

Lazarus, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Bright pink petals frame a close-up portrait. For artist David Shepherd, the eye—like a fingerprint—uniquely identifies a person, yet their identity, orig...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Healthy Choices, Oil Painting
Healthy Choices, Oil Painting

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

Steel Magnolia, Oil Painting
Steel Magnolia, Oil Painting

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

Passing Ships in the Night, Oil Painting
Passing Ships in the Night, Oil Painting

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

“The Leopard Cub”
“The Leopard Cub”

“The Leopard Cub”

By David Shepherd

Located in Warren, NJ

This is an David Shepherd, (British, 1931-2017) The Leopard Cub, Pencil on Paper . In good condition measures Frame: 12 by 16 inches Sight: 4 1/2 by 7 inches

Category

20th Century David Shepherd Art

Materials

Pencil

Oculus, Oil Painting
Oculus, Oil Painting

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

Gaining Ground, Oil Painting
Gaining Ground, Oil Painting

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 surr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Never Going Back, Oil Painting
Never Going Back, Oil Painting

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

Within and Without, Oil Painting
Within and Without, Oil Painting

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

Sustension, Oil Painting
Sustension, Oil Painting

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

Kiss, Oil Painting
Kiss, Oil Painting

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

Plastic
Plastic

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

Related Items
Les Gros Prunes, plums still life
Les Gros Prunes, plums still life

Les Gros Prunes, plums still life

By Adam Lehr

Located in New York, NY

This still life of Plums is a top notch example of 19th century still life painting! Beautiful quality and striking but also spare and honest in nature which is what typified Americ...

Category

Early 1900s American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"Local Residents, " Oil painting

"Local Residents, " Oil painting

By Judd Mercer

Located in Denver, CO

Judd Mercer's (US based) "Local Residents," is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a green grassy pasture where a herd of black cows graze. About the Artist: Judd Mercer is a watercolor painter based in Denver, Colorado. After attending art school for industrial design, Judd pursued a career in digital design and user experience and is co-owner of Elevated Third, a Denver-based digital agency. After committing to writing and illustrating a full-length fantasy novel in his spare time, Judd began watercolor painting around 2014, studying with teachers such as Alvaro Castagnet, Joseph Zbukvic and Herman Pekel...

Category

2010s Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

"In Repose" (2025) By Matt Talbert, Original Oil Painting, Portrait
"In Repose" (2025) By Matt Talbert, Original Oil Painting, Portrait

"In Repose" (2025) By Matt Talbert, Original Oil Painting, Portrait

By Matt Talbert

Located in Denver, CO

Matt Talbert's "In Repose" (2025) is an original, handmade oil painting on panel that depicts a portrait of a brunette seated at a table in deep contemplation. Artist bio/statement...

Category

2010s Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Slack Tide, Polperro, Cornwall, England, Summer, 1904
Slack Tide, Polperro, Cornwall, England, Summer, 1904

Slack Tide, Polperro, Cornwall, England, Summer, 1904

By Harry Neyland

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Harry A. Neyland (American, 1877–1958) Slack Tide, Polperro, Cornwall, England, Summer, 1904 Oil on canvas, 20 x 18 inches FRAMED: 26 1/2 x 23 1/2 inches (approx.) Signed at upper ...

Category

Early 1900s Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Rainbow Trout -Late 19th Century New England Still Life. Naturalist Oil Painting
Rainbow Trout -Late 19th Century New England Still Life. Naturalist Oil Painting

Rainbow Trout -Late 19th Century New England Still Life. Naturalist Oil Painting

By Walter Brackett

Located in Marco Island, FL

A finely executed late 19th-century still life by Walter Brackett (1823-1919) of a rainbow trout with rod and reel in the foreground, along with the fly that captured the trout. Fin...

Category

1870s American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Interior J&L Works, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania American Industrial Scene Painting
Interior J&L Works, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania American Industrial Scene Painting

Interior J&L Works, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania American Industrial Scene Painting

Located in Marco Island, FL

An interior scene of industrial America where workers kept the production of steel going in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This detailed and atmospheric painting shows the hard work and ...

Category

20th Century American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil, Board

British Schooner Anchored at Naples
British Schooner Anchored at Naples

British Schooner Anchored at Naples

Located in Costa Mesa, CA

A classic scene of a large mid-Nineteenth Century schooner at rest in the Mediterranean port painted by the Italian countryman Tomaso De Simone. The complete narrative scene around the schooner's broadside is complemented with a British merchant steam/sail ship, local boats and the colorful sky and headland architecture of the ancient city. The vast serenity and unspoiled life of cruising the Mediterranean Ocean...

Category

1860s Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Invocation, Woman Holding a Glowing Orb in a Surreal Landscape, Oil on Linen
Invocation, Woman Holding a Glowing Orb in a Surreal Landscape, Oil on Linen

Invocation, Woman Holding a Glowing Orb in a Surreal Landscape, Oil on Linen

By Christopher Remmers

Located in Denver, CO

“Invocation” is a large-scale contemporary figurative painting from 2022, created in oil on linen. A woman in a flowing white dress and headscarf holds a luminous orb against a vast,...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Linen, Oil

“Eastern White Pines, c. 1910”, New England Landscape, Signed Oil Painting
“Eastern White Pines, c. 1910”, New England Landscape, Signed Oil Painting

“Eastern White Pines, c. 1910”, New England Landscape, Signed Oil Painting

By Charles Warren Eaton

Located in Yardley, PA

“Eastern White Pines, c. 1910” by Charles Warren Eaton (American, 1857-1937). A wonderful example of Eaton’s renowned compositions of Eastern white pine trees in his mature style. A...

Category

Early 20th Century American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

Native American Still Life.  Ashcan Painter - New Mexico Early 20th Century.
Native American Still Life.  Ashcan Painter - New Mexico Early 20th Century.

Native American Still Life. Ashcan Painter - New Mexico Early 20th Century.

By Robert Henri

Located in Marco Island, FL

A still life of Native American pottery, moccasins, and fur, that was likely arranged during one of the artist's many trips to New Mexico and California. This painting embraces th...

Category

1910s American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Previously Available Items
At Rest, Yet Alert - Watchful Tiger, 2001, David Shepherd Original Oil Painting
At Rest, Yet Alert - Watchful Tiger, 2001, David Shepherd Original Oil Painting

At Rest, Yet Alert - Watchful Tiger, 2001, David Shepherd Original Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in London, GB

David Shepherd’s At Rest, Yet Alert - Watchful Tiger, 2001 is a masterful example of wildlife art, capturing the raw power and quiet intensity of one of nature’s most formidable pred...

Category

Late 20th Century Impressionist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

The Old Bull, 1994, Original David Shepherd Oil Painting
The Old Bull, 1994, Original David Shepherd Oil Painting

The Old Bull, 1994, Original David Shepherd Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in London, GB

Signed lower right. Image dimensions: 15cm x 15cm / 6 inches x 6 inches Framed dimensions: 26.1cm x 26.1cm / 10.3 inches x 10.3 inches David Shepherd is considered to be one of the ...

Category

Late 20th Century Impressionist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Maternal Instinct, Painted in 1992

Maternal Instinct, Painted in 1992

By David Shepherd

Located in London, GB

Image dimensions: 38cm x 61cm Framed dimensions: 52.5cm x 75.5cm Signed lower right. A wonderful, original oil painting by prolific wildlife artist David Shepherd. David Shepherd...

Category

20th Century Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Out on the Plains, Painted in 1983
Out on the Plains, Painted in 1983

Out on the Plains, Painted in 1983

By David Shepherd

Located in London, GB

Image dimensions: 43cm x 77cm Framed dimensions: 61.7cm x 92.6cm Signed lower right. David Shepherd's original oil painting depicts two majestic male lions in the African bush. D...

Category

20th Century Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Family at Rest

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...

Category

20th Century David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Deep in the Forest, Jaguar

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...

Category

20th Century David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Fresh Start, Oil Painting
Fresh Start, Oil Painting

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Tiger
Tiger

David ShepherdTiger

Sold

H 28.25 in W 42.5 in

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

In the Sheds, Swindon
In the Sheds, Swindon

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...

Category

20th Century Academic David Shepherd Art

Materials

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.

Artists Similar to David Shepherd