Snowdog dazzles at Hatchlands Park Christmas Trail
Image: David Oates Photography
I’m super excited as my Snowdog Dazzler, has landed at National Trust property Hatchlands Park in Surrey as one of the ten sculptures in the Snowdogs Discover Hatchlands Park Christmas trail, which is on until 6th January.
The Snowdog sculptures are inspired by the The Snowman and the Snowdog, the sequel to Raymond Brigg’s famous children’s book and animated film, The Snowman.
After painting a guitar for Wild in Art’s Music for the Senses trail in Manchester earlier this year, I was delighted to be invited by the team to design and paint a brand new Snowdog sculpture for their upcoming trails. I’m a huge Raymond Briggs fan and The Snowman is something I watch every Christmas, so I was elated to to be painting a Snowdog.
But this is no little pup. It’s a big dog! But I loved bringing it to life over the summer (even if it did have the run of the studio). Here’s how it all came together…
Once my proposed design was approved and the sculpture arrived, I gave it a sand and prime to start from a nice smooth base. My original paint choice didn’t translate quite as expected on such a huge surface area (key learning!), so after some experimenting, I switched to Montana Gold Blue Note spray cans to get the midnight blue effect I wanted.
I’ve used spray acrylic before, but these are more solvent and quick drying, so took a bit of getting used to (and working with PPE, lots of ventilation and dust sheets). I also got to master using a fat cap – something graffiti artists use. Great for covering large areas, but you have to be careful as the fine particles get everywhere. But it was worth it as the end result was amazing, creating a beautifully smooth deep dark blue base to build on.
Next came the starry night effect from my design – tiny pulsing stars and flares painted across the Snowdog to make it look like it was twinkling at midnight. This I created with light pulses of MTB 94 spray in Ipanema Yellow, using with a smaller cap and the edge of some thin cardboard for the flares.
Then I added the Christmas chaos, masking off and using stencils to create colourful circular baubles of different sizes, each painted with a range of acrylic paints and finished with a faded glow around them, and white highlights.
The light baubles were all linked together with a Liquitex yellow acrylic marker line drawn over the Snowdog to make it look it had got tangled up in festive lights - just like in the main trail logo! (see above/below).
After final approval, I sealed everything with an epoxy varnish supplied, another new technique for me, but one that gave the Snowdog a gorgeous glossy, weatherproof finish.
Once dry, the sculpture was picked up and I waved goodbye to Dazzler... until we meet again.
Now it’s proudly on display at Hatchlands Park, and I’m so excited to watch visitors sharing their pictures on social when they visit this Christmas.
I can’t wait to find out where Dazzler goes next, and I’m hoping I’ll get to paint another Wild in Art sculpture in the future.
Want to visit Dazzler and the other Snowdogs at Hatchlands Park? Details below.
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Snowdogs at Hatchlands Park
Now until 6th January 2026.
Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7RT
MAP:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/h4XVm3fGst28dNny8
Free parking. The park is free to visit, no booking required.
Open 10-4pm most days. Admission prices for the house and other opening times here.