Painting Animals from Life | My Top 5 Tips
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- Are you limiting yourself as an artist by only painting from reference photos? Painting from life isn't as hard as you might think. Watch this video to learn my top 5 tips for success!
5:38 Typo; my apologies. Text should read Asian Elephant
Learn more about becoming a patron (member) with Art on the Creek:
/ @artonthecreek
Affiliate Links may be used at no additional cost to you. Thank you in advance for helping Art on the Creek continue to bring you content here on TH-cam.
DaVinci Paint Company: bit.ly/470BJ2i
SketchBox Monthly Art Subscription Boxes:
shopsketch.com...
My Favorite Art Supplies on my Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com...
Art on the Creek Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.com...
Items featured in this video:
Derwent Watercolor Pan Set (not Inktense!): amzn.to/3ZzmZqX
Mesh Bags: amzn.to/3XNINxN
Curious about the Denver Zoo?
denverzoo.org
Is the elephant featured a male or female?
I’ve removed the comment to avoid unnecessary debate, which would detract from the subject of this lesson. During my visit, the zoo staff assured me the elephant I was watching was indeed, female. The online resources about the Denver Zoo indicate a bachelor herd. Some female elephants do have tusks. I will chalk this experience up to a very human one, and assume either the zoo employee was unfamiliar with the herd or the internet information has not been properly updated.
Either way, the message and theme of this video remain unchanged, and that message is as follows:
Painting Animals from Life | My Top 5 Tips
1. Don’t limit yourself to one plein air kit. Travel light, take something different with you every time.
2. Throw away what you think you know. Observation is key. Watch how they move. This will help you with foundational sketch and featuring vignettes
3. Shadows first! Helps you establish form and light.
4. Alternate between rough sketch/ detailed paint and vice versa
5. Lower your expectations
Show Theme Music: Charles Shomo, Caffeine Creed Band "Forest Trail"
This was a lot of fun to watch Ann! The Giraffe is an incredibly majestic animal, maybe because they are forced to look down upon everything? 😊 Loved your painting, and your pointing out the subtleties of the muscular structure coupled with their beautiful markings. Can you remember if a Giraffes markings are as individual as say the tiger? I will likely think about that until I give in and Google it 😁 In contrast to the Majestic Giraffe, the wise Elephant brought many surprises my way, not least that beautifully delicate pink blush on the tips of her ears and across her upper nose. The Elephant is the Mammal equivalent to the Owl. Wise, with eyes that miss nothing and have a way of almost being able to see inside a person… fanciful? Maybe, but when I enjoy any paintings, when they touch me deep inside, I feel happy to hang them on my wall. Yours did just that. It’s so very much in the eyes… Thank you for this video. I do hope Cat enjoyed a bit of a play too. I look forward to the next studio session you do together. Love to all. 👩🏻🎨🎨🖌️👏🏻🥰
Hi Anita! I agree-the eyes are essential to conveying the emotions within. I’m happy you enjoyed this-as far as the giraffes go, not one of them looked exactly alike, so I think the answer to your question is yes, their “spots” are a bit like a thumbprint. (You should definitely google-I’m guessing!😂💜🐘👩🏻🎨)
@@artonthecreek Nodding off, and so I shall accept the truth of your own eyes regarding the Giraffes. 🎨🖌️👩🏻🎨😊
@anitadavidson1266 🥰🥰🥰sleep well!
I LOVE painting animals. It's my legit favorite thing to do.
Aww thanks! Me too❤️❤️👩🏻🎨
Oh my goodness such a beautiful daughter and of course I love everything that you do.
Aww thank you so much, Amber Marie💜💜
I have been playing with idea of shading the sketch before painting. I do this with some other art work that I do. I love the outcome. I miss the Denver Zoo very much. I went there as a child and on and off as an adult. I have a whole photo album of pictures I took there in the 1990's. You inspire me to take those out and do some sketching. I enjoyed your video. Have a great week .❤😊
What great memories! We were there in the ‘90s often with our sons! The zoo has changed and grown so much since then-remember Klondike and Snow? I also miss the Sea Lion who would predict the outcome of the Broncos game with the local sports news anchor, whose face I remember well but not his name! (The sea lion enclosure is undergoing a massive renovation.)
Were you there when they opened Tropical Discovery? Or when the wolves arrived?
When I was a kid I remember Albert the alligator escaping to City Park & feasting on the ducks😳 I think they moved him to Monkey Island-or was it that he got out from that enclosure? My memory fades.
The zoo was, and still is, an integral part of our lives. I hope you do get to sketch and paint some of those photos of yours🩷👩🏻🎨
I do remember Klondike and Snow. I really got into them. I never did get to go see them. I don't remember Tropical Discovery. I remember when the Wolves came. I did not go see them. Did they come in the late 90's or the early 2000's? I was there a few times in the late 80s, early 90s. The Zoo has really changed since the 1960s. It is so much better for the animals and people. I am happy we have places like the Zoo to enjoy. Thank you for your response.
Joanne we really have so many common memories! I think that’s wonderful. Yes, in the ‘60s the zoo was par for zoos at that time, but so much has changed! I’m glad they always want to improve and educate.
The wolves arrived in 1988😍
Great video! Thanks!
You’re so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Great Tips, and fun to watch. Almost like visiting the zoo myself!
Thank you so much! I’m happy hear you felt immersed in the video❤️
I'm intrigued! Thank you for posting this and I'd love to watch more of your videos. Do you have one on dry brush?
Hi Sharon! I’ve used dry brush technique in several of my videos! I can’t think of one on animal fur right now, per se, however I know I have them my brain just isn’t clicking at the moment!🧐🤷🏻♀️🤣
Here is one where I used dry brush in a landscape of Pikes Peak. It’s one of my favorite techniques for texture; I hope this is interesting for you! Thanks so much for watching & commenting🩷
th-cam.com/video/FrhForQoK8w/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Umtrk5bJ4LbDZeOP
@@artonthecreek Thanks so much for this! I watched the Pikes Peak. What's the best brush to buy for dry brush?
for furry stuffed animals
Answer below!❤️
Honestly I would try first with whatever brush you are most accustomed to using! Like most things in watercolor, it’s about finesse. If you’re not sure, try a man made filament such as Princeton Snap. They hold less water, so easier to manage. If you prefer something a bit nicer, I would recommend Princeton Aqua Elite. It’s a man made sable; sable holds less water* than squirrel or synthetic squirrel. Princeton Neptune is synthetic squirrel, for example.
I’m not a Princeton rep or anything I just really like their brushes! Start by trying a round No. 6 and go from there. I hope that helps you!!!! happy painting!
(*the water flows off of sable differently than it does off of squirrel)