Painting Wildlife Textures: Step by Step

One of the main appeals of wildlife art is its meticulous attention to detail. Dense fur, rough antlers, shiny feathers--these are the kinds of tactile characteristics animal artists strive to paint realistically.

Award-winning wildlife artist Rod Lawrence de-mystifies the process for painting each of the varied textures of wildlife in 50 mini-demonstrations. Techniques are shown for painting in acrylic, watercolor or oil. Artists will discover how to:

* paint hair and feather textures as they change on different parts of the animal's body, or through the seasons
* render expressive reflections in the eyes of birds and fishes
* learn the differences between the shape and texture of horns and antlers
* paint convincingly moist muzzles, scaly feet, soft ears and other distinctive animal features

Anyone can benefit from Lawrence's years of experience of observing and painting in the field. His instruction gives that essential "spark" needed to breathe life into every work of wildlife art.

Rod Lawrence has exhibited at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and is a popular teacher at the Zemsky-Hines Workshops in Montana. He is the only artist to have won the prestigious Michigan Duck Stamp and Trout Stamp design contests seven times. He lives in rural Kalkaska, Michigan with his wife and children.