When a nature magazine asks me to illustrate a story about recent dinosaur discoveries, I need to create realistic pictures of these extinct animals. My oil paintings will appear in the context of a magazine known for its wildlife photos, so the paintings have to fit in and feel believable. The following 10 strategies are useful not only for painting dinosaurs, but for visualizing any kind of imaginary scene.
1. CHOOSE AN INTERESTING ANGLE
This dinosaur is called Thanatotheristes, which means "reaper of death." In the small color sketch, I try an unusual angle. The typical choice is a straight side view, but that may not be the best way to tell the story. In this case, I choose an eye level close to the height of the dinosaur as it runs toward us. The light is coming from behind him, which makes it feel like he's running through a clearing in the forest.
2. PLAN WITH A COLOR SKETCH
For each of the dinosaur paintings I create at least one small color sketch to plan the composition. For Thanatotheristes, I try out the idea of a light greenish color behind the head. I share the sketch with the art director so he knows what I'm planning. At last I'm ready to embark on the final painting, feeling more confident about my color choices. I lay out the pose on the illustration board by drawing the outline in pencil, then sealing the drawing with acrylic matte medium before proceeding with oil.
3. USE WILDLIFE PHOTOS FOR REFERENCE
This story is from the Station Points edition of International Artist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Station Points edition of International Artist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The architecture of water
When Then I moved from Toronto to a tiny community in Nova Scotia, I became fascinated by the ocean, its reflections and endlessly shifting patterns of color and light
Saturated World
Emphasizing the beauty of nature, Joe A. Oakes paints landscapes with warm colors and imaginative compositions
Forwad MOMENTUM
Artist Lisa Gleim shares the evolution of her career and how she grew into her preferred medium of pastels
BLAZING The TRAIL
International Artist's inaugural cover artist, watercolorist Alvaro Castagnet
ARTISTS of the WORLD UNITE!
Vincent Miller, founder and original publisher of International Artist, tells us why and how he launched this much-loved magazine 25 years ago
PAINT FIRST, THEN DRAW
James Gurney shows how you can use drawing tools over a watercolor or gouache painting to add lines, details and texture
COME TOGETHER
The Art of the Portrait and the 25-Year History of the Portrait Society of America
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
A brief overview of some of the new surfaces being used today with a focus on painting
Naomi Brown: Desert Glow
Painting in the alla prima method, Naomi Brown captures the saturated colors of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts
HOW TO MAKE GRADIENTS
James Gurney demonstrates how to get your colors to change gradually throughout your picture
