Leopard Animal

Discover How You Can Paint Animal Paintings With True Character

What exactly is wildlife art with soul?

From ancient images of cave drawings
portraying the sheer energy and spirit of survival of a deer hunt, to the famous story of Noah’s Ark, to present day cartoons such as the Lion King, images of wildlife art are all around us and have been since ancient times.  Animal imagery appears to stimulate a instinctive connection humans have with the Earth and the creatures with which we share it.

Wildlife art with soul typically evokes a deep emotional response and projects the natural essence of the animal.  It is so much more than an exercise in 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 artistic ability.  A beginner can paint wildlife art with soul as well as a seasoned professional artist, particularly when observing the following five points common to the most beautiful wildlife art.

Eyes that shine.

Commonly called the “windows to the soul”. They must have a glimmer of life and show a characteristic, particular mood or an identifiable reaction to a particular moment in the life of the animal subject.  Have a look at the cat artwork by talented artist Kat Davies to see illuminating examples of big cat eyes in her portfolio of leopard, tiger and lion paintings.

Colour and texture.

Re-create the texture of the fur as accurately as possible to recreate the sense of long, soft, short, coarse, spiky, curly, or straight hairs.  Skin can be pink, black, green, blue, smooth or wrinkled, semi transparent where the light shows through, scaly and dry or damp such as the rims around the eyes or the nose. 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 to see how evocative natural backgrounds can enhance your wildlife art and bring your animal subject to life.

The lighting

Dramatic lighting gives life to work. Think of sunlight being filtered through the mane of a lion, or the cold reflected light on the flanks of a polar bear.  The cool hints of shadow and the warm tones of sunlight place your animal in the ever-changing cycle of nature from day to night, season to season and give a sense of changing climate, time and weather.

A story

A striking background will often help a painting to ‘tell a story’.  Often the viewer of the painting might dream up an ending for themselves and actively engage with the painting. Take a look at 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 cubs, puppies and kittens, the savage or romantic wild including the Big Five, animals in the field of sport or hunting, garden birds or maybe the cherished family pet portrait, remember that memorable animal art is animal art with soul.

If you would like to see stunning examples of big cat originals  then take a look at www.katdavies.com. There is an extensive range of these and other works, and is particularly interesting if you are interested in a painting of your pets.

Fun Leopard Animal Print Nail Art Design Tutorial by MadamHaute