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If you love creating paintings of animals, you will know animal art is not just about creating a realistic animal portrait. It is about the joys and the challenges associated with being able to capture the beauty of our natural world. Every animal has their own unique set of characteristics and features that make the animal art so dynamic and challenging. With TERAVARNA’s 8th Animal Art contest just around the corner, it is a great opportunity to discuss tips on how you can hone this craft. Here are some proven tips from industry experts to get you started on bringing out the wildlife on your canvas.
Study Your Subject
The first rule to creating any artwork and not just paintings of animals is to study the subject matter. To be able to create a more realistic artwork, study the animal you want to paint. Observe its photographs, watch videos of their species in their natural habitat, or try to study it live, if possible. When you understand their behavior and anatomy better, you can better portray their posture, proportions, and distinctive features.
Pay extra attention to the bone structure of the animal and the muscles underneath its skin. If it is a furry creature that you wish to paint, take note of the direction and texture of its fur or feathers.
Don’t Be Afraid to Revise and Experiment
There is no rule to creating perfect artwork on the first attempt and you are always allowed to make revisions. So instead of beating yourself up on not being able to draw a flawless sketch in the first attempt, try redoing it. It will not only help you master the technique but also give you some leeway to experiment with and change elements that you don’t like.
You can switch between different brush sizes or brush strokes along with different levels of pressure to figure out what works best for you.
Find the Right Medium
Finding the right medium is more about finding what compliments your style better. Every medium has its own set of properties and advantages that sets it apart from others. For example, if you want to create your artwork using watercolors, you will have to choose thicker paper that will not warp or tear with excessive water.
The secret to finding the right medium lies in playing with all of them first. If you have already narrowed down to say, for example, acrylic paints, then it is time to choose the right paper, paint brands, and brushes that enhance the final result and also suit your technique.
Let the Eyes Do the Talking
When trying to draw realistic paintings of animals, eyes are the doorway to capturing the expression of the animal. Correctly painted eyes can help you capture the soul of the animal, giving you the much-needed depth in your artwork. Again, carefully study your references to understand what makes the shape and placement of the eyes unique for your subject. Pay extra attention to the shadows that form in the eyes and what highlights them; you will need it for realism and depth.
Other important elements of the face are the nose, mouth, and whiskers of the animal. Study them carefully to understand their size and proportion as compared to other features.
Plan Your Background in Advance
The background of a painting can significantly affect the final outcome. Your choice of background colors and the layers you add to it can make a significant difference in the mood of the painting as a whole. Thus choosing an appropriate background is as important as choosing an appropriate subject.
Deciding on a background in advance will also help you figure out where you want the painting to go towards the end. You can accordingly choose your color palette and alter details to bring out the desired result.
Let Your Patience Guide You
Learning the art of creating paintings of animals is as rewarding as it is testing and it demands a lot of patience from the artist. It can take years to perfect your craft. Don’t rush your process if you haven’t reached there yet. Be it learning how to study animal anatomy, how to perfect your strokes, or finding the mediums that work for you, it comes with years of experience and practice. If you find the process overwhelming, take breaks. If you have made a mistake, learn the techniques to rectify them.
Remember, there is no standard advice to hone your skills overnight. It will take you years to understand the nuances of wildlife painting and the techniques that work in your favor. So be kind to yourself and let your patience guide you in unleashing the maestro in you.