John Deer
Here’s How Artists Paint Animal Art With True Character
What is art with soul?
From prehistoric images of cave paintings
showing the raw spirit of survival and energy of a deer hunt, to the famous story of Noah’s Ark, to contemporary cartoons such as the Lion King, animals in art are everywhere and have been since ancient times. Animal imagery appears to stimulate a basic connection we have with the Earth and the animals we share it with.
Wildlife art with soul more often than not provokes a strong emotional response and bears the natural essence of the animal. It is much more than an exercise of photo-realism – it goes beyond a photograph, to encapsulate the very spirit of the wildlife it portrays, it can go beyond any artistic style and perhaps even artistic ability. A novice artist can produce wildlife art with soul equally as well as an experienced professional, especially when observing the following five things common in the best animal paintings.
Living eyes.
Often called the “windows to the soul”. They have to have a glimmer of life and reveal a characteristic, particular mood or a recognisable reaction to a specific moment in the life of the animal subject. Have a look at the cat artwork by renowned wildlife artist Kat Davies to see brilliant examples of big cat eyes in her range of lion, leopard and tiger art.
Texture and colour.
Re-create the texture of the coat as closely as possible to reproduce the sense of long, soft, short, coarse, spiky, curly, or straight hairs. Skin may be pink, blue, black, green, wrinkled or smooth, partially transparent where the light shows through, scaly and dry or damp such as the nose or the rims around the eyes. Add the little vital spark of life!
An interesting background
The background can create atmosphere, drama and nostalgia. For examples of this, 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. Imagine sunlight filtering 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,weather and time.
A story
A good background often helps a painting to ‘tell a story’. Quite often the viewer of the piece may be able to 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 cubs, puppies and kittens, the harsh 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, remember that memorable animal art is animal art with soul.
If you would like to see stunning examples of wildlife pastels then go to katdavies.com. There is an extensive gallery of these and other works, and is particularly interesting if you are interested in a pet portrait.
john deer skidder (yellow submarine #)