Do you feel and treat your pets like your children? Don’t worry, many people do.
Pet owners treat their beloved pets as one of their children. That’s why many carry them in malls wearing cute clothes, purchase expensive animal treats or food, and schedule regular visits to their veterinarians. And they can’t help but take photos of their pets regularly. Some even hire professional photographers to take amazingly adorable photos of their pets!
And if you’re a creative artist, why not go the extra mile and turn these photos into watercolor painting yourself? If you haven’t tried watercolor painting before, here’s how.
DIY Watercolor Pet Painting
We can’t deny our love for animals. They are adorable, cute, and very loyal. That’s why they are really fun to paint. However, for first-time watercolor painters, it can be challenging. There are many details to capture. But don’t fret. Here’s how to turn your favorite pet photos into watercolor pet portraits.
Take Good Quality And Clear Photos
Animals are very active. Sometimes, it’s hard to capture clear and quality pet photos. To help you take good-quality photos, use their favorite toys and treats to capture their attention. You can put them in adorable clothes and add a few props.
Prepare your camera and let your pets play and do their own thing. Capture as many photos as you can. Afterward, check the photos you took and choose the best one.
Prepare Materials Needed
Before you start painting, it’s wise to prepare all the materials you’ll be using. Watercolor might not dry as quickly as acrylic and oil paints but they will run and can spread. Prepare the following materials:
Pet Photo
Watercolor Paints
Fine-Point Marker
Paintbrushes
Watercolor Paper
Water
Pencil
Tape
Paper Towel
Tissue Paper
Make The Stencil
Place a piece of tissue paper on top of your pet photo. Make sure it covers the whole photo. Trace all the main features using your pencil. If you’re not confident in painting the eyes, you can start with a closed eyelid. Then, add a few eyelashes to make it more adorable.
But if your goal is to make it more realistic and close to how your pet actually looks, trace the eyes as well. You can practice and hone your skills in the process.
Transfer The Tracing
Once you’re satisfied with the tracing you made, it’s now time to transfer it to watercolor paper. Start retracing your pet photo using a fine-point permanent marker. The ink will bleed through the tissue paper into the watercolor paper. When you retrace all the main features of your pet and are satisfied with the outcome, remove the tissue paper. Retrace the outline on the watercolor paper using the marker to make it darker.
Begin Painting Your Pet
Start painting your pet using watercolor paints. Use the actual pet photo as a guide for the colors and more details. If some parts are too thick, use a paper towel and dab it on the thick part to absorb excess paint.
Begin with the easier parts and basic details. They are easier and quicker to paint than the smaller and finer details. Larger parts sections like the background or props you used are also easier to paint because they don’t have finer details. If the pet is lying down in bed, start with the background and the bed.
We highly recommend starting with darker colors because they’re easier to control than lighter hues. Also, they have time to dry a little, preventing them from running into lighter paints. If lighter colors run to the darker paints, you can just reapply them.
Add Furry Details
To add finer details, use a super fine detail paintbrush. You might spend more time painting the eyes and adding fur. This is also the time to add more details, adding shadows. And to make the fur more realistic, use less water with your watercolor paint for a more opaque effect.
Add shading and shadows to your custom pet portrait. Use the actual pet photo as a guide for adding shadows.
Let It Dry And Frame
After you’re satisfied with your watercolor painting, let it dry. Don’t put them in a frame as soon as you’re done. Watercolor paint needs time to dry to avoid ruining your hard work.
When your pet watercolor portrait is completely dry, place it in a frame to protect it from the harmful UV rays, temperature changes, and humidity. By framing your personalized pet portrait, you will be able to preserve its quality and make it last for a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
Doing your own watercolor pet portrait is not for all. If you want to try it out, purchase a couple of watercolor paints, paintbrushes, and watercolor paper. Practice and hone your skills. But if you want a professionally made pet portrait made by skilled artists, commission one from Memorialize Art.
If you haven’t tried painting before but want to learn how, just pick up a paintbrush and start painting. There’s no harm in trying. The only person stopping you is yourself.