plate no. 2053

Van Amburgh and his big game cats

oilRomanticismanimal paintinganimalscagefigureliontigerleopard

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice rendering animal anatomy and fur texture using a limited grayscale palette. Students can also learn about creating depth and form through careful value control.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the animals and the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values of the background and the cage.
step 03
Start defining the forms of the animals with mid-tones, paying attention to their anatomy.
step 04
Add darker values to create shadows and define the contours of the animals.
step 05
Introduce lighter values to create highlights and add dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the fur and facial features, using small brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the details of the figure and the objects on the floor.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · payne's gray

Mix different ratios of black and white to achieve a full range of grayscale values. Use raw umber and payne's gray sparingly to add subtle warmth or coolness to the grays.

techniques