What I Wish I Knew When I Started Painting Realistic Fur

Here are some of the things that I wish I knew about painting realistic fur when I first started out painting wildlife. Hope the tips help you too!

My equipment:

My Most Versatile Easel

FOLLOW

PINTEREST

This post contains amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you.

[davidallyn]

On detail and non-detail to draw the eye's focus... I come from a theater scenery background. And in theater we play around with the concepts of "depth of field" and "forced perspective" where we are constantly tricking the eye to focus on one place or another on stage. For example, we might have general washes "upstage" while having higher amounts of detail "downstage" to force the eye to focus on an actor or scenic element. It's a false depth of field when you're actually on stage, but it works when you're sitting in the audience 20 ft away. We also play with "forced perspective" where we might intentionally build and paint scenery out of square - following artificial perspective lines. For example, we might build a wall (including windows and doors) intentionally out of square where the downstage uprights are literally taller than the upstage uprights to stretch the perspective of the scene. This gives the audience the impression that house (or whatever) is actually deeper than the theater space actually is. I love that you (we can) do that on the canvas as well - I will definitely be using these tricks. Thanks for sharing!!!

[jondoh]

Wouldn't it be fun to have a reaction video of the collector receiving the paintings and unveiling them!?

[cheralwhite]

Gorgeous work! You’re an excellent artist and teacher. Thank you! 😊

[traceywoodall]

Oh Daniel you have given me an impossible task of choosing a favourite. I honestly can’t choose one they are all superb and the owner is going to be so happy. You are both amazing. I wish you both well in your new home and wish you both health wealth and happiness for the future. 🥰🏘️🗝️🎉

[maryb.]

Congrats on the House!!!!
You are so talented. Beautiful work. You have inspired me to try my hand at wildlife painting.

[-yimu]

Stunning paintings, and wonderful backgrounds.

[albania]

I am big fan of your work bro they look all amazing, I am learning a lot and getting inspired, just by looking at you and Ambers animals paintings, you two are the best in YouTube, and instagram 😊👍👏✌️

[LisaSteyn]

I think they are all BEAUTIFUL your work is stunning, thank you for sharing

[denisefrawley]

I so want to steal your idea for the mini paintings 🙂

And the jaguar paintings are amazing!!

[lesleyhenshaw]

They’re so awesome, thank you for sharing your knowledge and tip’s with us, and thank you Amber. Congrats on your new home. Looking forward to seeing your next painting x❤

[ashishsawant]

So kind of you guys 🙏 Thank you for the video 👍 (India)

[liseperron]

Wow wow wow, your talent is incredible, so perfect, so real. Thank you for teaching and giving your trucs.

[josepeka]

OMG🏆you are amazing. So hard to pick one among the three . The way you present your video, you don’t just breathe life into these jaguars but you draw everybody in to enjoy your work which is worth the time spent watching you, Love your work and Amber is absolutely superbly talented too🏆Jose from Australia

[marilynrichard]

You are so talented it just blows me away to see your finished works. I can’t actually say which is my favourite as they are all so beautiful. I would be scared to death if I had to face any one of those cats, their eyes look right through you.

[mindyfranke]

Wow, those all look so beautiful! And congratulations on settling your new home! I hope the move is smooth. Can't wait to see what you do next.

[phyllispalladino]

Congratulations on the house. Wish you best of luck and many years of happiness! My favorite of the 3 gorgeous paintings is the first one walking towards you

[myk]

Daniel, I’ve been watching you progress in your art for about two years now and I never get tired of watching you creating these masterpieces. I’m only 9, 500 ish hours behind you so keep going I may catch up one day 🤭not! thanks for your inspiration and sharing your thoughts and experiences. Thanks to Amber for the old brush tip.😁

[dianabaker]

absolutely gorgeous. I've been watching your videos for a while now and you have been the only one to explain a technique that I feel comfortable using. It has been an enormous help in making my paintings not have that "flat" look and helps me to make it more realistic and alive. Thank you so much for the time you take to make these tutorial videos. You help so many people realize their dreams and make their paintings so much more satisfying to do.

[AussieBattleCat]

Great advice, thank you kind sir, I hope your enjoying your new house!!

[gerrianderson]

I truly wish you could capture the look on the collector's face :) That is always a thrill! Love all 3 so can't choose a favorite. Also, I think it only fair that you show us your and Amber's new home lol. Feel like we are all 'part of the family' now! hahaha (plus I love seeing new homes and I know the thrill of moving into your own). Best wishes to you both!💕