How To Draw Animals Realistically

  • Cover Page
    -THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. -Check back for updates!
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction
    -This is only a method -What this book will not teach you -Scope of this book -Copying -Artist as problem solver -Patience, discipline, honesty
  • Art Supplies
    -What you need to begin
  • Preparations
    -Sharpening the pencil -Tips on choosing reference -Preparing the drawing board
  • Measuring
    -How to start your drawing

Journey of Memories

Journey of Memories by Matt SisselMotorcycle art.  Carbon on paper.  14" x 16".

Journey of Memories

This drawing was done on commission as a 25th wedding anniversary gift.  The drawing is a surprise for the husband (pictured).  I've implemented images of him, his bike, and a map with the route of his travels.

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

Osprey drawing

Osprey drawing by Matt SisselAnimal and wildlife art.  Carbon on paper.  8.5" x 5.5".  Osprey drawing is available for $400 US.

Realistic bird art: Osprey drawing          

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

If you enjoyed my Osprey drawing click the link for more animal art.

Click the link to learn how to draw animals realistically.


Sacred Ibis drawing


Sacred Ibis drawing by Matt Sissel. 
Animal and wildlife art.  Carbon, graphite, and white chalk on paper.  9" x 6"  Sacred Ibis drawing has been sold.

Bird art: Sacred Ibis drawing

This work is based on photographs and drawings done at the Toronto Zoo this Easter.  The ancient Egyptians venerated and often mummified the Sacred Ibis as a symbol of the god Thoth.

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

If you enjoyed my Sacred Ibis drawing click the link for more animal art.

Click the link to learn how to draw animals realistically.


Turtle drawing

Turtle drawing by Matt Sissel.  Animal and wildlife art.  Carbon on paper.  11" x 7"
Turtle drawing is available for $300 US

Realistic turtle art; turtle drawing.

This work is based on photographs and drawings done at the Toronto Zoo this Easter.

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

If you enjoyed this drawing check out my other animal drawings.

Click the link to learn how to draw animals realistically.


Zen Bulldog

English Bulldog drawing by Matt Sissel.  Animal and wildlife art.  Graphite on paper.  8" x 10"
Zen Bulldog is available for $400 US.   

Realistic Bulldog art; English Bulldog drawing.    

Taking my realistic art to the world of dogs, any bulldog lover will recognize this characteristic meditative pose.

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

If you like this check out my other animal drawings.

Click the link to learn how to draw animals realistically.

Rabbit drawing

Rabbit drawing by Matt Sissel.  Animal and wildlife art.  Graphite on paper.  7" x 7"
I have Rabbit art prints available for sale.  Rabbit drawing is available for $250 US.

Realistic rabbit art: drawing of a rabbit
 
I thought I would do a quick sketch of a rabbit since Easter is just around the corner. I really found it to be a wildlife creature very worthy of artistic interest and look forward to doing a full blown art project of the whole animal. Rosa Bonheur did an excellent piece of some rabbits early in her career, a piece which I quite admire.

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

If you like this check out my other animal drawings.

Click the link to learn how to draw animals realistically.

Lion drawing

Lion drawing by Matt Sissel.  Animal and wildlife art.  Graphite on paper.  7" x 7".  April 2009
I am now offering lion art printsLion Drawing is available for $250  US.

Realistic lion art: lion drawing.

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

If you like this check out my other animal drawings.

Click the link to learn how to draw animals realistically.

Raccoon Drawing

Raccoon Drawing by Matt Sissel.  Animal and wildlife art.  Carbon on paper.  10" x 8".  April 2009
Go here to buy Raccoon art printsRaccoon drawing is available for $300 US.

Animal art: Raccoon drawing.
 


The adorable, mischievous raccoon. With this work of art I attempted to actually capture the emotional nature, the spirit, of an animal that struggles for existence just as we do. Yet again using very realistic techniques to create a sense of depth, yet avoiding making this appear to be just another drawing of a photograph. The job of the artist, as I see it, is to communicate, to tell a story that we can take with us.

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

If you like this check out my other animal drawings.

Click the link to learn how to draw animals realistically.

Squirrel eating acorns

Squirrel eating acorns by Matt SisselAnimal and wildlife art.  Graphite on paper.  8" x 6".  April 2009.  I have squirrel art prints for sale.  Squirrel eating acorns is available for $300 US.

Realistic squirrel art: squirrel drawing.

On the one hand this looks just like a squirrel, yet upon closer inspection it is very conceptual. Through academic training and vast amounts of time drawing from life, I seek effects in this work of art using both line and form. Lines as such don't really exist in nature, yet they are present here. An old master once said, "I lie in my art in order to tell the truth."

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

If you like this check out my other animal drawings.

Click the link to learn how to draw animals realistically.

Blue Jay drawing

Blue Jay drawing by Matt SisselAnimal and wildlife art.  Graphite on paper.  6" x 7".  April 2009
Follow the link to purchase Blue Jay art printsBlue Jay drawing is available for $300 US.

Realistic Blue Jay art: Blue Jay drawing.

This exercise in value shows how overwhelmingly more important color may be to communicate information than form. Only the true bird lover would probably be able to tell you that this is a Blue Jay. Even so, the bird retains a life apart from its lack of color.

Commissions are available for nearly all price ranges.  The main factors effecting cost are size, complexity, and level of finish.  I am happy to pursue most subject matter.  Contact me at mattsissel@gmail.com for more information.

If you like this check out my other animal drawings.

Click the link to learn how to draw animals realistically.

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