Here’s How To Paint Animal Art With True Character
What exactly is art with soul?
From the earliest images of cave paintings
illustrating the raw spirit of survival and energy of a deer hunt, to the biblical parable of Noah’s Ark, to contemporary cartoons like the Lion King, animals in art are everywhere and have been since ancient times. Animal imagery seems to stir a basic connection we have with the Earth and the animals we share it with.
Wildlife art with soul usually evokes an intense emotional response and projects the raw essence of the animal. It is much more than an exercise of photo-realism – it goes deeper than a photograph, to capture the very nature of the wildlife it portrays, it can go beyond any artistic style and perhaps artistic ability. A beginner can produce wildlife art with soul as well as a seasoned professional, particularly when noting the following five points common in the best animal art.
Living eyes.
Frequently called “windows to the soul”. They have to contain a glimmer of life and show a character, particular mood or a recognisable reaction to a particular moment in the life of the animal subject. Look at the cat artwork by renowned artist Kat Davies to see shining examples of big cat eyes in her range of tiger, leopard and lion paintings.
Texture and colour.
Recreate the texture of the fur as accurately as possible to reproduce the feeling of soft, long, short, coarse, spiky, curly, or straight hairs. Skin might be pink, green, blue, black, smooth or wrinkled, semi transparent where the light shows through, dry and scaly or damp such as the nose or the rims around the eyes. Add the vital little spark of life!
An interesting background
The background can create atmosphere, drama and nostalgia. For examples of this, study the superb works of Robert Bateman to see how evocative natural backgrounds will improve your wildlife art and bring your animal subject to life.
The lighting
Dramatic lighting gives animation to work. Imagine sunlight being filtered through the mane of a lion, or the cold reflected light on the flanks of a polar bear. The cool tones of shadow and the warm tones of sunlight put your animal in the ever-changing cycle of nature from day to night, season to season and give a sense of changing time, climate and weather.
A story
A striking background will help a picture to ‘tell a story’. Often the viewer of the painting can imagine an ending for themselves and actively connect with the painting. See the wildlife paintings of John Seerey-Lester, especially those of his historic hunts, to see story-telling in art.
Whether painting ‘cute and furry’ animals such as kittens, puppies and cubs, the vicious or romantic wild including the Big Five, animals in the field of hunting or sport, birds in the garden or maybe the cherished family pet portrait, keep in mind that memorable animal art is animal art with soul.
If you would like to see stunning examples of puma pastels then please visit www.katdavies.com. There is an extensive collection of these and other works, and is especially interesting if you are looking for a painting of your pets.
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