Both laypeople and professionals can imagine something under the term animal painting. As the name suggests, it is a genre that deals with the representation of animals.
But how did it develop? Animal representations are already known from early human history, but they are not counted as classic animal paintings.
Eveneteus.com experts have got to the bottom of this art print genre’s exciting history and the importance of animal portraits in the 20th century.
We introduce you to what the beginnings of the animal painting looked like and how this genre is still represented today in art utensils such as jointed dolls.
Table of Contents
What is animal painting?
The history of animal painting is linked to fine art, painting, drawing development through the centuries. From classic oil painting to abstract painting, animal art has always been there, from baby animals to wild animals.
The beginnings of the animal painting are only made in the 16th century. At that time, the so-called “animal piece” developed as a kind of still life category.
This forerunner of animal painting was significantly influenced by the artist Albrecht Durer. In watercolors, the painted picture of the “brown hare” is seen by many as a milestone in animal painting.
As history progressed, during the 17th century, animals were only part of landscapes. Nevertheless, these can be seen as a stage in the development of animal painting. Later, during the Enlightenment, an increased interest in nature and its morphological classification developed.
From then on, animal painting served an illustrative purpose. It continued into the 19th century when animal painting was often used in zoological gardens. In addition to its usefulness, animal painting has also become increasingly popular from an aesthetic perspective.
The growing audience and the increasing demand ensured that animal painting developed into a genre of its own.
After the development of photography, animal painting lost its practical use but did not disappear from the world of art. On the contrary.
Animal painting in modern times:
Animal painting is still very popular today, but is understood differently than in previous centuries, such as paintings from George Stubbs.
The claim to produce realistic animal representations had disappeared with the photo technology. It gave artists space to understand animal painting mainly as an aesthetic medium. Through the combination of colors and shapes, a suggestion of fragmented movement or disproportionate elements, animal painting became a means of conveying feelings.
How to paint animals?
With a professional training course, you can learn how to paint and draw cats, dogs, horses, etc.
Animals are not only popular motifs in art, not just for beginners. Animals convey life and naturalness.
Capturing these peculiarities is the excellent art of drawing and painting animals.
A few tips:
The trap to avoid is to want to paint the animal’s hair right away. Whatever it is, it must be painted as if the hair did not exist. As we would do for an apple or a watermelon, we work on color and shape as usual, with our set of light and dark values. It is only after that we render the illusion of the coat.
This method is simple and effective.
How much can you make with animal paintings?
Few of the animal painters make a living exclusively from this type of art. Many combine this passion with other more lucrative professional pursuits.
As long as you can break through (without being a star in the specialty), you can claim to earn a salary of around 20,000 and 35,000 euros per year.
Generally, wildlife painters work freelance for specific projects and commissioned jobs. To do so, and to quickly find new clients worldwide, they can join Evenetsus.com.
How to become an animal painter?
Here are the keys to success in becoming a recognized animal painter for artists who dream of living their art.
It is a demanding discipline. You must be aware of it. There is a vast difference between painting for a few hours, for pleasure, being a “Sunday painter,” and becoming a professional who has to produce to live.
Here are five keys to becoming a professional and successful animal painter
- You need a clear vision of your project and a great desire to see it through.
- involve your spouse, your family in your story.
- You have to create your “Brand” to distinguish yourself.
- Give yourself limits to reach.
- Communicate about your work and build your networks.
Find the best professional animal painters with Eventeus.com!
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