How to Paint a Deer With Oil Paints

Using photographic references of deer makes painting less challenging.

From prehistoric cave paintings to the Renaissance, the deer has played a central role in many works of fine art. Wildlife paintings make classic additions to the home and deer are simple subjects suited to the beginner. Because oil paints take several days to dry, mistakes are easily corrected and you are free to manipulate the paint until you have achieved the results you wish.

Things You'll Need

• Oil paints in various colors, including black, white, burnt sienna and dark umber
• Pencil
• Clear acrylic medium
• Prepared canvas
• Turpentine
• Brushes of various sizes

Instructions

1. Find photographic references of deer. Nature magazines and online photo databases are good sources for wildlife photography. Print out your references and use a pencil to sketch a deer on the surface of a store-bought prepared canvas of any size. If you find the drawing process difficult, use tracing paper and a soft graphite pencil to transfer a photograph onto your canvas.

2. Paint a thin layer of clear acrylic gel medium over your sketch. This ensures that your pencil marks will remain clear and visible when applying your paints.

3. Mix about a tablespoon of burnt sienna oil paint with a small amount of dark umber with a palette knife on a paper or glass palette. These pigments are earth tones and closely approximate the coloring of the deer. Use this color as the main shade of your deer. For the shadows, mix the same pigments in a ratio of 50/50 on another section of your palette. Add a small amount of bunt sienna to about a tablespoon of white paint for highlights. Apply a small amount of black to your palette for the darkest regions of the deer. Mix additional colors for the background of your painting as desired.

4. Wet a medium-sized brush with solvent and apply a thin layer of paint to the entire area of your deer sketch. Block the nose and eyes in with black and apply the white mixture to the inside of the ears and the spots. Add a background color. Wash your brush in turpentine between colors.

5. Add shading with a fine brush using the darker burnt sienna mixture. Pay attention to the direction of hair growth, and notice which areas of the deer are in shadow. Add highlights using the white mixture. Use a medium-sized brush to blend. Add detail to the background.

6. Let your painting dry for at least three days before touching it.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix small amounts of colors to avoid wasting paint. Mix more on your palette as needed.

• Turpentine is a volatile and dangerous chemical. Wear gloves and paint in a well ventilated area. The Delaware Health and Social Services Department of Public Health recommends washing hands immediately after coming in contact with turpentine.

References

• "The Complete Oil Painter"; Brian Gorst; 2004
• "30,000 Years of Art"; Editors of Phaidon; 2007
• The Delaware Health and Social Services Department of Public Health: Turpentine