Category Archives: Preparation

Category describing the preparation of wildlife art.

How to Create a Painting From a Photograph

In past articles, I’ve talked about preparing for a painting by using reference photographs. This process involves taking numerous photographs and selecting certain elements from each picture and creating a whole new painting from the mosaic of elements. Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Digital Reference Photographs

Wildlife art for me is the creation of an image that results from imagination, preparation, dedication, and perspiration. Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hidden Refuge A Mallard Duck Painting

Back in November 2010, I began comtemplating what my next wildlife painting would be. I began doing my standard research looking through all of my reference photographs to find the subject material for the painting. Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Creating a Sketch on Stretched Canvas

When painting on stretched canvas, it is very difficult to get an accurate sketch before the painting begins because of the stretch of the canvas itself. Here are a four tips to help eliminate some of the frustration of sketching on stretched canvas. Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | 18 Comments

Conclusion to How I Begin A Wildlife Painting

This entry is part 7 of 7 in the series How I Begin A Wildlife Painting

Art to me is more than just creating pictures. It is the journey from the design of the painting to that last brush stroke. Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Selecting the Materials for a Wildlife Painting

This entry is part 6 of 7 in the series How I Begin A Wildlife Painting

There are actually three materials that we have to decide on when creating a wildlife painting. These choices hold true for any type of painting but are especially important in wildlife art. Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Selecting the Color Scheme for a Wildlife Painting

This entry is part 5 of 7 in the series How I Begin A Wildlife Painting

The color scheme of the painting is largely determined by the three previous processes that I’ve used Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

Selecting the Wildlife for a Wildlife Painting

This entry is part 4 of 7 in the series How I Begin A Wildlife Painting

In this article I will talk briefly about how I go about choosing what wildlife will appear in the new painting. Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Creating the Composition of a Wildlife Painting

This entry is part 3 of 7 in the series How I Begin A Wildlife Painting

The composition of a painting is the way in which the artist takes all the elements of a painting and puts them in an order of placement that is both natural and pleasing to the viewer. Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Creating the Location for a Wildlife Painting

This entry is part 2 of 7 in the series How I Begin A Wildlife Painting

When I’m ready to start a new wildlife painting, I begin by thinking about the story I want to tell through the image. I think about the emotions that I want the image to portray. I decide the time of day the painting will represent and what the main character or characters will be. Continue reading

Posted in Preparation | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments