Watercolour is a medium that lends itself beautifully to capturing the essence of our beloved pets. In our 15 years installing… With its delicate, fluid nature, watercolour has a remarkable ability to translate the unique personality and character of each animal onto the page. By harnessing the power of watercolour washes, artists can breathe life into their pet portraits, allowing the vibrant colour and expressive brushwork to shine through.
Mastering Watercolour Washes
The foundation of any successful pet portrait in watercolour lies in the mastery of watercolour washes. These thin, translucent layers of paint create the underlying structure and form, setting the stage for the details to emerge. “I start a light wash, using a large brush and plenty of water,” explains artist John Keeling. “I prefer a 1-inch mop to help keep things fluid at this point.”
By working with a wet-into-wet approach, artists can capitalize on the fluid, spontaneous nature of watercolour. “I think of the painting as whole from the start, including what’s happening around the subject,” Keeling continues. “Welcoming drips, runs and splatters helps me avoid the fear of making a mistake when trying to add a background later.”
This loose, intuitive approach allows the watercolour to do the heavy lifting, guiding the composition and establishing the overall mood. “I limit the palette to the three primary colours to keep it fresh and allow the paint to make new colours for me,” Keeling adds. This strategic colour choice not only streamlines the process but also results in a harmonious, captivating final piece.
Capturing the Essence of Your Pet
Once the foundational washes are in place, the real magic begins. This is where artists can truly start to channelling the unique personality of their four-legged subjects. “I ask for several photos of the pet in various poses and favourite images from the owner,” explains watercolour artist Nicoline Mann. “I study the animal for a long time, looking at its features, eye colour, how its hair lays or curls and any unique or interesting features I want to highlight.”
By taking the time to truly understand the pet, artists can imbue their portraits with an authenticity that goes beyond mere likeness. “I also ask the owners to tell me about their pet so that I can get a feel for its personality and soul,” Mann continues. This crucial step allows the artist to tap into the emotional connection between the pet and its owner, translating that bond onto the canvas.
With a solid understanding of the subject in hand, the process of bringing the pet to life through watercolour washes can begin. “I sketch it out on sketch paper first and then transfer my drawing to my watercolour paper,” Mann explains. “I used to try and capture every detail of the animal, but am now concentrating on only a few details while keeping the rest of the animal more implied.”
This selective approach allows the artist to focus on the most expressive and captivating elements of the pet, drawing the viewer’s eye to the heart of the portrait. “I pay particular attention to the eyes because if they aren’t right, nothing is right,” Mann emphasizes. By honing in on these crucial details, the artist can create a true likeness that resonates with the viewer on an emotional level.
Infusing Personality Through Colour and Texture
As the portrait takes shape, the artist’s watercolour washes become the vehicle for expressing the pet’s unique personality. “I like to work wet-in-wet for most of the animal and then wet on dry for the details,” Mann explains. This technique allows for a harmonious balance between loose, expressive brushwork and precise rendering, perfectly suited for capturing the essence of a beloved pet.
The strategic use of colour is also key to bringing out the individual character of the subject. “I always use French Ultramarine, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Lemon Yellow, and Burnt Sienna,” Mann shares. “Sometimes I also use van dyke brown, sepia, raw sienna and burnt umber.” By experimenting with this varied palette, the artist can infuse the portrait with a range of subtle nuances and vibrant hues that breathe life into the pet.
Texture plays a vital role as well, as the unique brushwork and application of the watercolour washes can convey the tactile qualities of the pet’s fur. “The transparent nature of these paints means that they layer exquisitely, creating wonderful texture with every brush stroke,” explains pet portrait artist Jo Shepherd. “These unique layering abilities lend themselves wonderfully to painting fur that you could almost reach out and touch.”
Whether it’s the soft, downy coat of a puppy, the sleek sheen of a feline’s fur, or the shaggy mane of a beloved mutt, the watercolour washes allow the artist to capture these intricate textures with a sense of authenticity and depth. By embracing the fluid, expressive nature of the medium, the artist can truly bring out the personality and character of the pet in a way that resonates with the viewer.
The Emotional Connection
Ultimately, the power of a watercolour pet portrait lies in its ability to forge an emotional connection between the viewer and the subject. “Art transforms our homes, adding character and warmth to a room,” Shepherd points out. “Displaying a painting of your favourite pet is a way of expressing how much they mean to you, and that they are an integral part of the family.”
Whether it’s a cherished companion who has passed on or a beloved furry friend who fills our lives with joy, a watercolour portrait becomes a lasting tribute that preserves the memory and spirit of the pet. “Unfortunately, our pets’ lifespans are not as long as humans and much too short,” Shepherd acknowledges. “With a pet painting, you can keep the memory of your pet alive and you will always have something to remember them by.”
By harnessing the power of watercolour washes, artists can capture the essence of a pet in a way that transcends the limitations of a photograph. The fluid, expressive nature of the medium allows for a level of emotional resonance that speaks to the deep bond between humans and their animal companions. “A painting can often reflect so much more of your pets character and personality,” Shepherd says. “I can enhance details which may be lost in a photograph (even picking out the reflection of an owner in a dogs eye) and can brush over imperfections and create the perfect painting of your pet.”
Bringing it all Together
As you embark on your own journey of capturing the personality of pets through watercolour, remember the power of watercolour washes to set the foundation for a captivating portrait. By embracing the fluid, spontaneous nature of the medium and allowing the paint to guide your creative process, you can unlock a world of expressive possibilities.
Take the time to truly understand your subject, drawing inspiration from the pet’s unique character and the bond it shares with its owner. Experiment with a versatile colour palette and a range of textural techniques to bring out the most authentic and compelling elements of your furry subject. And above all, let your passion for these beloved companions shine through in every brushstroke, creating a timeless work of art that celebrates the joy and personality of our four-legged friends.
As artist Nicoline Mann so eloquently states, “Art has made me see the world through a new lens, nothing looks as it used to. I notice so much more than I ever did before and have become an amateur botanist and birder along the way because of it. Through art my love of nature and animals has only deepened.”
Embrace that newfound perspective, and let your watercolour washes guide you on a journey of artistic expression and emotional connection. Your pet portraits will not only capture the likeness of your subjects but also the very essence of their spirit, becoming cherished keepsakes that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique