Finding Animal Subjects

Here are some places to find wild and domestic animal subjects to draw and paint:

ZOOS

Zoos are great places to sketch animals from life and gather great reference photos. Some modern zoos have the animals in naturalistic settings, which are not only better for the animals but also for the artist because it helps you place the animals in a more natural environment in your painting. If you tell the zoo employees that you are an artist, they will often be glad to assist, possibly even giving you a private showing of the animal you’re interested in.

PARKS

Parks and places where animals such as squirrels are fed and protected (and have lost much of their fear of people) can be good places to see wild animals up close. National parks such as Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Banff National Park in Canada, where hunting is not allowed, provide wonderful close-up wildlife viewing of animals such as deer, bighorn sheep, moose, bison, mountain goats, squirrels and many kinds of birds.

WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS

Wildlife rehabilitators take in injured or orphaned wild animals and try to nurse them back to health so that they can be returned to the wild. If the animal cannot be released, they often provide it a home. I have found these people to be very friendly and helpful. They don’t get the credit they deserve for all the good work they do, and they are usually happy to share the animals with people who are interested in them.

VETERINARY CLINICS

Veterinary clinics that take in wildlife can be approached for references. Some veterinarians volunteer their services to help wild animals in need, giving them emergency care and then turning them over to wildlife rehabilitators.

HIKING TRIPS

While hiking in the country or woods, always carry your camera and sketchbook in case an opportunity arises. You never know when you might happen upon an animal that is as surprised as you are at the encounter! You can also gather references for backgrounds—from wide-angle views of fields and forest clearings to small details such as ferns and toadstools.

PET OWNERS

If you want to paint a Siamese cat, for example, ask your friends if they know anyone who has one, or call your local Humane Society or veterinary clinic for a referral. Most pet owners are proud of their animals and will gladly allow you to photograph them.

STATE AND COUNTY FAIRS

County fairs are often a good place to see a variety of domestic animals such as rabbits, chickens and horses. You can sketch and photograph them at your leisure. If you talk to the people who raise the animals, you have a good chance of being invited to their homes to see the animals in a quieter setting.

FARMS

Horses, cattle, goats, chickens, llamas and other domestic animals can be found on farms. Take a drive through the country and pull to the side of the road to photograph or sketch animals. Always get the owner’s permission before entering fields with animals.

ANIMAL SHOWS, PET SHOPS AND MORE

Other places to see animals include horse shows, racetracks, dog shows, cat shows, herding dog trials, aquariums and pet shops. The opportunities for good reference gathering are out there—you just have to take advantage of them!

Painting at Home

In winter, we have many different kinds of birds at our feeders, including purple finches. Using a zoom lens, I took this photo through the glass doors that look out onto our deck. To paint the scene, I also referred to several bird books make sure the details of the bird’s feathers were correct.

PURPLE FINCH

Acrylic on Gessobord

8” × 10” (20cm × 25cm)

Borrowing From Strangers

At an outdoor art show in Lexington, Kentucky, this handsome white standard poodle and his owner stopped by to look at my artwork. With the owner’s permission, Itook a few photos of the dog, thinking that I might someday paint his portrait.

STANDARD POODLE

Acrylic on Gessobord

8” × 10” (20cm × 25cm)