Discover How Artists Paint Wildlife Portraits With Genuine Soul
What do we mean by animal art with soul?
From prehistoric images of cave paintings
portraying the sheer energy and spirit of survival of a deer hunt, to the famous biblical legend of Noah’s Ark, to present day cartoons like the Lion King, images of wildlife art are everywhere and have been since time immemorial. Animal imagery seems to stimulate a instinctive link human beings have with the Earth and the creatures we share it with.
Animal art with soul usually provokes a deep emotional effect and projects the raw essence of the animal. It is more than an exercise in photo-realism – it goes further than a photograph, to capture the very nature of the wildlife it portrays, it can transcend any artistic style and perhaps technical ability. A novice artist can paint wildlife art with soul just as well as an experienced professional, especially when noting the following five points common in the most beautiful animal paintings.
Living eyes.
Known as the “windows to the soul”. It is vital they have a glimmer of life and show a character, mood or a recognisable reaction to a particular moment in the life of the animal subject. Have a look at the cat artwork by renowned artist Kat Davies to see illuminating examples of big cat eyes in her range of lion, tiger and leopard art.
Texture and colour.
Re-create the texture of the pelt as exactly as possible to recreate the image of long, soft, short, coarse, spiky, curly, or straight hairs. Skin may be pink, black, blue, green, wrinkled or smooth, partially transparent where some light shows through, scaly and dry 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 atmosphere, nostalgia and drama. For examples, study the excellent works of Robert Bateman which show how evocative natural backgrounds might improve your wildlife art and bring your animal subject to life.
The lighting
Dramatic lighting gives life to work. Think of 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 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 good background will help a picture to ‘tell a story’. Often the viewer of the piece might dream up an ending for themselves and actively engage with the painting. Take a look at the wildlife paintings of John Seerey-Lester, particularly those of his historic hunts, to see story-telling in art.
Whether painting ‘cute and furry’ animals such as puppies, kittens and cubs, the vicious or romantic wild including the Big Five, animals in the field of hunting or sport, birds in the garden or even 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 leopard originals then have a look at http://www.katdavies.com. There is an extensive range of these and other works, and is particularly interesting if you are looking for a painting of your pet.