Drawing Wildlife

Artists and naturalists will master their ability to render lifelike depictions of a wide range of wildlife in a variety of still and action poses in this unique instructional. Amberlyn begins by offering a discourse on animal anatomy, basic animal structure and characteristics, and the animals' natural environment. Such details are examined and explored through more than 300 detailed animal studies.

More advanced topics include drawing the three major animal categories: carnivores/omnivores (wolves, coyotes, weasels, raccoons, and bears), hoofed mammals (deer, elk, moose, caribou, and sheep), and small mammals (rabbits, squirrels, mice, beaver, and armadillo). Readers will transform their mediocre interpretations into drawings that truly capture the essence and subtleties of the animal, its mood, and its habitat.

Assuming that readers have some drawing skills, wildlife artist/ naturalist Amberlyn begins her lessons on capturing the spirit of wild animals by presenting basic anatomy, tips on materials and techniques, and contextual viewing factors. Focusing on North American species, she offers illustrated tips for sketching mammals large and small; treating their parts from head to tail, texture, color markings; and the animal in motion. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Library Journal

In most books on this topic, wildlife either glows majestically or is so adorable that animal fur actually resembles terrycloth. Artist, animator, photographer, and naturalist Amberlyn's book is one of the few steeped in straight-on realism. Using vivid descriptions and hundreds of detailed drawings, she brings to life more than 60 species of wolves, foxes, wild cats, weasels, bears, deer, mountain sheep, goats, rabbits and hares, squirrels, and other wildlife. She carefully details the head and body, notes fur color and texture, and gives special attention to the way each animal moves. An ideal companion to Bart Rulon's Artist's Photo Reference: Wildlife. Highly recommended. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

J. C. Amberlyn is an artist, animator, sculptor, and naturalist. She lives in Kingman, AZ.