Top 10 Tips To Improve Your Animal Painting Skills!
Guest post courtesy of Nick Wilson, Animal Blueprint Company
Fond of animal painting and looking for ways to improve your skills? You have come to the right place! The nitty-gritty of art makes all the difference in the world. There are a couple of things you need to pay attention to when thinking about honing your artistic abilities such as better art supplies, patience, and practice.
Besides these things, there is one more thing that is a requisite—inspiration. Some are inspired while others need it from time to time. Having said that, let’s take a look at how to sharpen your blueprint art and animal painting skills.
Before diving into the tips, start with basic animal shapes and improve with practice. Secondly, choose medium acrylics, oils, or watercolors. Then, you should have proper art supplies.
With the below-given tips, you can improve your painting as well as drawing skills:
A reference photo: When starting with animal painting, having a clear reference photo with all the details is of utmost importance. Practice, practice, and practice until you get the shape right.
Materials & Techniques: Knowing drawing techniques help such as hatching, scribble, smudging, solvents, crafting knives, or the burning method for the desired effect. However, it all depends upon what you want to draw and wisely choose the techniques.
Animal Anatomy: One of the most significant things in animal art is to have an accurate sketch. This involves proportions and the anatomy of the animal that you are drawing/painting. Proportions refer to height, width, and depth. It is the foundation of the painting, if these are wrong then the desired result would be different.
Using live animals: When you’re proficient in your animal painting skills, you can use live animals to draw but mind you they would move a lot hence, experience and practice are required. Nothing can compete with the joy of using live animals.
Focus on the Values: Before starting, pay attention to the areas that need to be highlighted and how dark they need to be.
Shading: It’s imperative to nail this feature to make your artwork pop and try it with a light hand. Soft shading is the key along with layering to get the desired effect avoiding harsh edges.
Feathers and Fur: Look at the reference photo and notice the direction of fur/feathers depending upon which animal you are drawing.
Intricate Details: After the sketch is complete focus on the details to make it look realistic. Build up the eyes and fur to make it look realistic. Take your time, and it will be rewarding!
Choosing the background: The background shouldn’t overpower the animal. Therefore, it needs to be subtle and complement the animal drawing/painting without taking away the attention.
Patience: Animal art can be time-consuming, so it’s best not to rush the process. Take time as the details can test your patience.
Apart from these tips, you can also try your hands at animal blueprint art. Giving the blueprint effect, it is ruling the hearts of animal lovers. Featuring factual information about the breed, this unique style is perfect for wall art!
I love these helpful tips. What about you? Have you tried painting or drawing your pet before? Are you a person who could use some of these helpful tips?
Learn more about Animal Blueprint Company and the unique blueprint designs they offer today. They make great gifts. Visit their website here.
Share your thoughts in the comments below. What tips will you try to use to improve your animal painting skills? Don’t forget to pin and share this post with a friend!
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15 Comments
Renee
These are good tips. My biggest weakness is lack of patience. I have to work on that. Thanks for sharing. I never heard of Animal Blue Print company but I’ll have to check out their site.
Ruth Epstein
One thing I am so bad at is art, I cannot even draw LOL a square properly and wish I had that talent. This post is really interesting for those that are artistically inclined and would love to see others artwork
Nick Wilson
Nobody is perfect at the beginning, practice is key to any perfection. If you have the will to do you would do that, For Sure! Thank you so much for appreciating the post. If you are an animal blueprint art lover you might like my blog too.
Admin
Ruth,
I’m glad you enjoyed this special guest post. If you aren’t artistically inclined I know you’ll appreciate the blue print pieces from the Animal Blue Print Company. Be sure to check out their site. It’s quite unique. 🙂
Michelle & The Paw Pack
I love painting but I have to admit I don’t do it much, and I’m far from skilled at it. My partner is really the artist of the family! I wish I had more time to devote to art, especially since I have so many supplies already, but, especially this time of the year, life gets so busy!
Admin
Michelle,
I know what you mean. I have the supplies now and ironically not as much extra time as I’d like. I have to work on that.
Jana Rade
Painting still scares me; I don’t have to chops to even attempt to pain my dog. I guess that’s dumb since I don’t have to show it to anybody.
Marjorie at Dash Kitten
Your advice should prompt people to set off and explore an artistic journey. They can use paints, inks, papers, fabric, and their picture doesn’t have to be a perfect ‘representation doesn’t it? it’s the love and enjoyment that is so important right now.
Half an hour every day just focused on the contemplation of art – perfect for a good life.
Admin
Marjorie,
Well said! I couldn’t agree more. I feel the same way as my painting skills are not where I want them to be but I know someone can appreciate my growing talent! Commitment and practice is key!
Sweet Purrfections
I used to enjoy crafting and painting, but I’ve become impatient in my older years. I need to check out Animal Blue Print Company.
Admin
Paula,
I can totally relate to what you mean, honestly! I have to work on that too.
Beth
These are such great tips, I really struggle with drawing and painting, which is ironic because my husband and mom are both talented artists. I’ll share this reminder with them.
Admin
Beth,
I’m glad you liked these helpful tips from the Animal Blueprint Company. Yes! Thanks for sharing too.
Britt K
There are some great tips here! I used to spend a lot of time drawing, but it has definitely been a while and I know that there is PLENTY of room for improvement hahaha I’m going to have to work through the tips and tricks that you shared here and see how much progress I can make.
Admin
Britt,
I’m glad you found these tips helpful. Good luck with your next project!