How to Paint a Realistic Rabbit

Cute, expressive and colorful rabbits are appealing subjects to paint.

A realistic rabbit painting can be a truly thoughtful and personalized gift for an animal lover or a special decoration for your own home. Thanks to their variety of colors, patterns and expressions, these animals also make for a paintable subject. With a good, detailed photograph and a few basic watercolor supplies, you can get started on your own realistic rabbit portrait.

Things You'll Need

• Photograph
• Watercolor paper
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Watercolor paints
• Mixing tray
• Water container
• Paper towels
• Small brush
• Medium brush

Instructions

Drawing and Planning

1. Look at your reference picture and focus on what you like most about it. Remember that you do not need to copy all of the details for a successful painting. Decide if you want to zoom in on an important area or if you'd prefer to simplify or omit less important things, such as background objects.

2. 

   Spend time on your drawing to prevent having to fix proportions when painting.

   Draw the basic shapes of what you'd like to include in your painting with light pencil marks on the watercolor paper. Remember that any object can be broken down into ovals and lines. For example, you can represent a rabbit's head with an oval overlapping the body, which is a larger oval. Draw lines to figure out the length and positioning of ears before you fill them out. Don't be afraid to erase and redraw lines if you are not happy with them. It is much easier to fix problems of proportion in the early stages of a drawing.

3. Add details to your rabbit. Refine the basic shapes with your pencil to make them look more organic, or less geometric. Add whiskers, feet, ears and a tail. Draw in eyes with a small white circle, or highlight them. Look at the direction of the rabbit's fur and lightly draw in short lines to show how it lays. When you paint, you will also follow this direction with your brushstrokes. Draw more details into your background if you've chosen to include one.

Painting

1. 

   Set up your paint supplies so that you can work with concentration later.

   Prepare your painting area on a flat or slightly angled surface. Squeeze half a pea sized amount of each tube watercolor at the edge of your mixing tray. If you are using a cake watercolor tray, it will already be set out for you. Fill your container with water and have paper towels on hand in case of a spill. Set your watercolor paper in the center and hang or place your reference picture where you can see it easily.

2. Dip your medium brush in water and create a small, transparent puddle of color on your tray. When picking up paint, be sure that your brush is wet and lightly wipe the surface of each bead or tray of paint. Use this technique to mix colors to match those in your photograph.

3. 

   Watercolor washes build up transparent layers of color.

   Look at your reference and choose a large area to start with. Many artists begin with the background and work their way forward. Either way, keep your brush wet, but not soaking, and lightly apply a "wash" of mixed transparent color. Continue to fill in all of the basic background colors. Paint carefully around detailed or light colored areas. It is important to decide where you want to preserve the white of the paper, such as the highlight in the eyes, and paint around those areas.

4. Layer your washes to create a better sense of realism. Remember that in nature, no color is truly just one shade, and allow variation into your colored areas. Add blue washes to shadows to make them look cooler, and light red or yellow washes to areas you want to catch the eye.

5. Pick up your small detail brush and mix a slightly less diluted color for a detailed area, such as around the rabbit's eye or inside the ear. Use this brush to add details with a drawing motion, but leave the eye for the last step. Follow your pencil lines in the direction of the hairs to paint fur texture. Use the same type of directional lines to render grass or other textured surfaces. While this will make your painting more complete looking, don't overdo the background details. Remember that your rabbit is the most important subject and therefore should have the most focus.

6. Fill in the iris of the eye with a rich, transparent wash. Once it is dry enough not to run, create a dark color for the pupil of the eye and paint it on top. Be sure to preserve the white highlight as you do each step. A life-like eye with a strong highlight gives your rabbit a realistic and finished look. Once you are happy with your details, step away and allow your painting to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Take breaks to avoid being frustrated with your progress. Sometimes returning to a painting with a fresh perspective can be the best choice for finishing it successfully.

References

• Dragoart.com: How to Draw a Rabbit
• Watercolor Painting.com; Free Watercolor Painting Tutorials; Basic Watercolor Skills
• Animal Drawings; Tutorials; How to Start

Resources

• Watercolor Painting Tips; M.A. Boysen Paints Animals; M.A. Boysen