New Dog Portrait: a dog named after a river

The owner of Stono (who is named after the Stono River, Johns Island, SC) will be surprised on his birthday with this portrait of his good buddy, a chocolate Labrador retriever.  Dark-colored dogs can be difficult to paint, as the details of the face are often hard to see.  A great photo makes all the difference!  (You don't think dogs SIT for their portraits, do you?)  The gift-giver and I photographed Stono on a sunny day, making sure that his head was in the light.  We got down on his level to get the best shot.  Some little treats were Stono's reward for posing.  :-)