Painting Animals: Tips for Watercolor Art Beginners

Roxanne Parnell
Sep 12
4 min read

Watercolor painting can be a magical experience, especially when it comes to capturing the beauty of animals. Whether you are a complete beginner or someone looking to refine your skills, this guide will provide you with essential tips to help you create stunning animal portraits.

In this post, we will explore techniques, materials, and approaches that will make your watercolor journey enjoyable and rewarding. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Watercolor Basics

Before you start painting, it is crucial to understand the basics of watercolor. Watercolors are transparent, which means they allow light to pass through. This quality gives your paintings a unique luminosity.

Choosing the Right Materials

Watercolor Paints: There are two main types of watercolor paints: tubes and pans. Tubes are more vibrant and easier to mix, while pans are portable and convenient for travel.
Paper: Use watercolor paper that is at least 200 gsm (grams per square meter). This thickness helps prevent warping when wet.
Brushes: Invest in a few good quality brushes. A round brush is versatile for details and washes, while a flat brush is great for broader strokes.
Palette: A mixing palette is essential for blending colors. You can use a traditional palette or even a simple plate.
Water Container: Keep a container of clean water nearby for rinsing brushes and diluting paint.

Setting Up Your Workspace

Create a comfortable and well-lit workspace. Natural light is ideal, but a good lamp can also work. Make sure you have enough space to spread out your materials.

Observing Your Subject

When painting animals, observation is key. Spend time looking at your subject. Notice the colors, shapes, and textures.

Taking Reference Photos

If you cannot paint from life, take clear reference photos. Ensure the lighting is good and the animal is in a natural pose.

Sketching Your Animal

Start with a light pencil sketch. Focus on the basic shapes and proportions. Don’t worry about details at this stage.

Color Mixing and Palette Preparation

Understanding color mixing is vital for creating realistic animal fur or feathers.

Basic Color Theory

Familiarize yourself with the color wheel. Primary colors (red, blue, yellow) can be mixed to create secondary colors (green, orange, purple).

Mixing Fur Colors

When painting fur, mix several shades to create depth. For example, if you are painting a brown dog, mix burnt sienna with a touch of yellow ochre for highlights.

Techniques for Painting Animals

Now that you have your materials and a sketch, let’s explore some techniques.

Wet-on-Wet Technique

This technique involves applying wet paint onto wet paper. It creates soft edges and blends colors beautifully.

Wet the area of the paper where you want to paint.
Apply your paint and watch it spread.

Wet-on-Dry Technique

This method involves painting on dry paper. It allows for more control and sharper edges.

Ensure your paper is dry.
Apply paint directly to the surface.

Layering

Layering is essential for building depth. Start with light washes and gradually add darker colors.

Allow each layer to dry before adding the next.
This technique works well for creating shadows and highlights.

Adding Details

Once you have the base colors down, it’s time to add details.

Using a Fine Brush

Switch to a smaller brush for fine details like eyes, whiskers, and fur texture.

Use a darker shade for shadows.
Add highlights with a lighter color or even white paint.

Creating Texture

To create the illusion of texture, use short, quick strokes. This technique mimics the look of fur or feathers.

Final Touches

After you finish painting, take a step back and evaluate your work.

Adjusting Colors

If some areas look too flat, consider adding more layers or adjusting the colors.

Signing Your Work

Don’t forget to sign your painting! It adds a personal touch and marks your achievement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As a beginner, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Overworking the Paint

Avoid the temptation to keep adding paint. Sometimes, less is more.

Not Using Enough Water

Water is your friend in watercolor painting. If your paint is too thick, it can look harsh.

Ignoring the Paper

Always use the right paper for watercolor. Using regular paper can lead to tearing and poor results.

Finding Inspiration

Inspiration can come from many places.

Nature Walks

Take walks in nature and observe animals in their habitats.

Online Resources

Websites, social media, and art forums can provide inspiration and tutorials.

Art Classes

Consider taking a class or workshop. Learning from others can enhance your skills and boost your confidence.

Practice Makes Perfect

The key to improving your watercolor skills is practice.

Daily Sketching

Try to sketch animals daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Experimenting with Styles

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and techniques.

Joining a Community

Connect with other artists. Sharing your work and receiving feedback can be incredibly helpful.

Embracing Your Unique Style

As you practice, you will develop your unique style.

Finding Your Voice

Allow your personality to shine through your art.

Celebrating Progress

Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Each painting is a step toward improvement.

Conclusion: Your Artistic Journey Awaits

Painting animals in watercolor is a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. With the right materials, techniques, and a bit of practice, you can create beautiful works of art. Remember to observe, experiment, and most importantly, have fun.

Your artistic journey is just beginning, and the world of watercolor awaits you. Happy painting!