Wildlife Painting Basics: Deer, Antelope & Other Hooved Animals
Cynthie Fisher brings her passions for zoology, taxidermy, and big game and bird hunting to her book about how to paint deer, elk, moose, and other hooved animals. After a brief introduction to materials, Fisher suggests sources for study and emphasizes the need for sketching: "The number one piece of advice is sketch, sketch, sketch! If you can create a good representation of an animal through your own observation and freehand talent, there is no limit to the creativity and enjoyment you can derive from painting." An anatomy primer examines a selection of popular species and describes how hooved animals are built. The bulk of the book zeroes in on specific species: white-tailed deer; mule deer; elk; moose, caribou, sheep and antelope; and other hooved animals. Each of these chapters includes brief painting demonstrations. The final chapter illustrates how to create finished paintings in acrylic and includes two complete step-by-step demonstrations of whitetails in a forest and elk in the snow. Fisher possesses an impressive mastery of her subject, and her paintings sometimes resemble photographs in vividness of detail and natural light. From the majestic golden curves of a Marco Polo sheep's horns against a steep snow-covered mountainside to the bold stripes of zebras set amidst a shimmering yellow plain, Fisher brings the drama, nobility, and grace of hooved animals exquisitely to life.--Mary Ribeski