apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·PANSIES AND TABBY
PANSIES AND TABBY by Louis Wain

plate no. 3636

PANSIES AND TABBY

Louis Wain

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)animal paintingcatsflowerspansiesfoliageanimalsportraits
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as practicing accurate rendering of animal features and floral details.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic shapes of the cats, flowers, and leaves, paying attention to their placement and proportions.

  2. step 02

    Apply a light wash of color to the background, creating a base for the floral pattern.

  3. step 03

    Begin layering colors on the cats, starting with the darker tones and gradually adding highlights.

  4. step 04

    Paint the flowers and leaves, using a variety of greens, pinks, and purples to create visual interest.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the cats' faces, such as the eyes, nose, and whiskers.

  6. step 06

    Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, ensuring that the overall composition is balanced and harmonious.

  7. step 07

    Add final details such as the small floral patterns in the background.

  8. step 08

    Allow to dry and add a protective varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · red · green · brown · white

secondary · pink · purple · yellow · orange

Mix various shades of pink and purple by combining red and white with small amounts of blue. Achieve the cat's fur tones by mixing brown with orange and white.

techniques

  • ·layering
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·blending
  • ·color mixing
  • ·detail work

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the painting.
  • →Using colors that are too saturated and creating a garish effect.
  • →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension in the painting.
  • →Not paying attention to the proportions of the cats and flowers.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb or stretched canvas

required

  • ·watercolor paints or acrylic paints
  • ·watercolor paper or canvas
  • ·round brushes (various sizes)
  • ·flat brushes (various sizes)
  • ·palette
  • ·water container
  • ·paper towels
  • ·pencil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·masking fluid
  • ·easel

Use high-quality paints and brushes for best results. Consider using a reference photo of a cat to help with the details.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Kolo Moser

Kolo Moser

Koloman Moser

L'Atelier de Diebold Lauber

L'Atelier de Diebold Lauber

Léo Schnug

Family Gathering in Saint Idesbald

Family Gathering in Saint Idesbald

Georges Lemmen

The Kiss

The Kiss

Rose O'Neill

His grandmother had Told Him (from The Garden of Paradise)

His grandmother had Told Him (from The Garden of Paradise)

Edmund Dulac

Two girls

Two girls

Felice Casorati

Girl with a rose

Girl with a rose

Paul Mathiopoulos

The King

The King

Alexandre Benois