Wildlife Painting:

One of the first steps in creating a stellar art piece is to have ample choices to make the final selection from. The options could be completely imaginary or one could have a database of images to choose from. For the latter, you can opt to go out and shoot images using your camera or use images captured by others and recreate them on canvas. If you want to click your own image, which is better since it adds to the originality, there are a few basic tips to keep in mind:

1. It isn’t mandatory to travel to exotic locations to get breath taking images. Researching on what species are indigenous to your geography can help you to get a photograph that you would like to paint, and it will also be something that celebrates your local fauna.
2. Since you will be the one painting your photograph, ensure that the clicks you take are something you would be capable and comfortable with.
3. Create a subtle or stark background story, depending on what you want to focus on in your painting. The former helps to draw attention to your subject only while the latter will allow you to portray your subject in its habitat.
4. Playing with light and shadow makes way for beautiful imagery. Brush strokes can be effectively used to re-create the magic of light. The magic hour is said to be the hour right before the sun sets and it provides picturesque visuals. The early morning is ideal for ornithology lovers!
   
   

Once you have your references ready, start with mise en place for your painting.

1. Ensure that you have a selection of canvases and can choose the one that is best suited for your painting. A poor selection of canvas can hamper the dynamicity of your painting.
2. You should have at least a vague idea of what you want to showcase in your painting. Decide whether you want a centrally or peripherally placed subject, or if you want the environment to be as much a part of your main-frame as much as the subject. Having these ideas clear in your mind before starting will reduce confusion in the later stages and will help you in creating a crisper image.
3. Use a perspective that hasn’t been used before or make use of a texture that you think will look interesting with the subject you’re focusing on. Create something that is different.

Once that is done, begin the painting:

1. Sketch the ideas you have on your canvas, or list them down somewhere to ensure you don’t forget to incorporate any aspect of what you have envisioned on the canvas.
2. Work clutter free. Some artists do not min working with things strewn around but it usually eats in to time, when you can’t find the brush you need for that one stroke that could make or break your painting.
3. Don’t feel stressed while painting, since the tension usually gets reflected on your work. Make a change of pace, use music to let you unwind from time to time.
4. Once your painting is finished, give it time. Turn it to a wall and let I be; look at it with a different vision after a few days. This will give a fresh take to you and help you make the changes you might have otherwise missed.  The finer details can now be added.
5. Simply finishing your painting doesn’t end your responsibility towards it! Art Events in San Diego are a great way to showcase your newly finished work! Some painters have galleries that frame their paintings for them , depending on what they feel is the most appropriate, however most painters choose to do it themselves since they feel they know what would best justify what they had in mind to begin with. Choose a frame that compliments your work of art without taking away from its glamour or the grandeur of your subject.
   
   
   

   Image Source : commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raden_Saleh_-_Study_of_walking_tiger.jpg
   Image Source : commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Friedrich_Wilhelm_Kuhnert_-_Elefanten_auf_der_Wanderung.jpg
   Image Source : simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Smilodon_Knight.jpg