Painting Cute

Here’s How Artists Paint Animal Portraits With Real Spirit

So what is art with soul?

From prehistoric images of cave paintings
illustrating the pure energy and spirit of survival of a deer hunt, to the famous biblical parable of Noah’s Ark, to present day cartoons like the Lion King, images of wildlife art are everywhere and have been since ancient times.  Animal imagery appears to stimulate a basic link human beings have with the Earth and the animals with which we share it.

Animal art with soul often evokes a deep emotional effect and carries the natural essence of the animal.  It is so much more than an exercise of photo-realism – it goes further than a photograph, to encapsulate the very soul of the wildlife it portrays, it can transcend any artistic style and perhaps even artistic ability.  A beginner can paint animal art with soul as effectively as a seasoned professional, particularly when noting the following five things common to the most beautiful animal art.

Eyes that shine.

Commonly referred to as the “windows to the soul”. It is vital they contain a spark of life and reveal a character, particular mood or an identifiable reaction to a specific moment in the life of the animal subject.  Check out the cat artwork by renowned artist Kat Davies to see illuminating examples of big cat eyes in her portfolio of tiger, leopard and lion art.

Texture and colour.

Recreate the texture of the fur as accurately as possible to recreate the feeling of long, soft, short, coarse, spiky, curly, or straight hairs.  Skin might be pink, blue, green, black, smooth or wrinkled, partially transparent where the light shows through, dry and scaly or wet such as the nose or the rims around the eyes. Add the vital little signs of life!

An interesting background

The background can evoke nostalgia, atmosphere and drama.  For examples, study the excellent works of Robert Bateman which show how evocative natural backgrounds can enhance your wildlife art and bring your animal subject to life.

The lighting

Dramatic lighting gives animation to work. Imagine sunlight filtering 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 constantly changing cycle of nature from day to night, season to season and give a sense of changing climate, time and weather.

A story

A bold background often helps a painting to ‘tell a story’.  Quite often the viewer of the painting will imagine an ending for themselves and actively engage 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 puppies, cubs and kittens, the savage or romantic wild including the Big Five, animals in the field of sport or hunting, 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 portraits of your pet.

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