Painting Animals in Watercolour

Synopsis

Artists seem compelled to try to capture the amazing variety of the animal kingdom; the challenge remains how to breathe energy into your paintings and make the animals jump off the paper. This deeply practical book offers an accessible introduction to sketching animals from life, to try to capture that essence. It gives instruction on how to approach drawing; covers ideas for materials and supplies to make sketching from life a joy; gives step-by-step demonstrations of different watercolour techniques; offers specific advice on using colour and painting, fur, feathers and features and gives ideas for mixed-media experimentation. Full of colourful examples and guidance, this new book explains how to transform your studies into finished artwork that are brimming with character. It encourages you to find the extraordinary in the everyday, as well as revelling in the breadth of nature. Taking a contemporary approach to traditional watercolour, the author shows how a few, well-chosen brushes of paint can reveal the soul of your subject.

Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction to Painting Animals in Watercolour

* Overview of the techniques and materials used in animal watercolour painting
* Importance of understanding animal anatomy and behaviour
* Example: Studying photographs or observing animals in person to capture their natural poses and expressions

Chapter 2: Basic Techniques and Materials

* Choosing the right paper, brushes, and paints for animal painting
* Practicing basic strokes, colour mixing, and washes
* Example: Creating a colour chart to experiment with different watercolour mixtures

Chapter 3: Capturing Animal Anatomy

* Understanding the proportions and shapes of different animal bodies
* Sketching animals from observation and using reference photos
* Example: Drawing the skeleton and muscles of a bird to create a realistic structure

Chapter 4: Painting Animal Fur and Feathers

* Developing various techniques for rendering fur and feathers
* Using dry brushing, glazing, and wet-in-wet painting
* Example: Painting the soft, fluffy fur of a rabbit or the iridescent feathers of a parrot

Chapter 5: Portraying Animal Eyes

* Capturing the depth and expression of animal eyes
* Understanding different eye shapes and colours
* Example: Painting the piercing eyes of a lion or the gentle eyes of a deer

Chapter 6: Depicting Animal Movement

* Observing and understanding animal locomotion
* Capturing the flow and grace of their movements
* Example: Painting a leaping tiger or a swimming dolphin

Chapter 7: Creating Animal Environments

* Using backgrounds and surroundings to enhance the animal painting
* Including natural elements like trees, water, and vegetation
* Example: Painting a horse in a meadow or a fish in a coral reef

Chapter 8: Advanced Techniques for Animal Portraits

* Exploring advanced techniques like layering, glazing, and creating textures
* Adding details and highlights to enhance realism
* Example: Painting a portrait of a posed dog or a wildlife scene with an eagle soaring overhead

Chapter 9: Troubleshooting and Common Mistakes

* Identifying and correcting common errors in animal painting
* Dealing with problems such as muddy colours, uneven washes, and disproportionate anatomy
* Example: Revising an animal painting that looks flat or lacks depth

Chapter 10: Final Thoughts and Inspiration

* Summary of the key principles of animal watercolour painting
* Encouraging experimentation and personal style
* Inspiring images and examples of renowned animal watercolour artists
* Example: Exploring the works of wildlife painter David Shepherd or pet portraitist Sue James