Animal Planet (step by step)

I started with a detailed pen drawing on a white canvas panel.  I then  brushed in a wash of burnt sienna over the entire drawing. While the paint was still wet I used a damp rag to wipe out some of the lightest areas.  If I was an expressionist I could just call it quits here. 

Next I started mixing the home colors on the palette and painting them in stroke by stroke.  No need to blend or modify the colors or once placed on the canvas.

The burnt sienna underpainting shows thru the outer layers and seems to complement every other subsequent color. It also warms up the entire painting.

I added hatch strokes and broke up some of the harder edges to add a sense of movement. The painting seemed too static and more like an illustration.

 Animal Planet. 11"x14" Acrylic on Canvas Panel Available