Hey guys! This is a step by step guide showing you how I painted this tiger eye painting in acrylic paints.
Below is the video tutorial, and as always the FULL LENGTH VIDEO TUTORIAL is available on my Patreon, by signing up you will also get instant access to every tutorial I have ever made (as well as all of the ones I make in the future!)
OK let's get started!!
Step 1:
Start by sketching out the tiger’s eye onto your canvas with a pencil. You don’t need too much detail in this sketch, just the basic outline of the different sections of the tiger’s eye. Then, use orange paint to fill in the orange parts of the fur, and while the paint is still wet, paint in some darker orange/brown lines by flicking the paintbrush. Repeat this again with some white paint to create some highlights. Repeat this again using purple and black paint for the dark tiger stripes, and a small amount of white paint for the highlights.
Step 2:
Use white paint to paint the section just underneath the tiger’s eye. Then, while the paint is still wet, add a small amount of purple/light grey paint to create more depth. Add some grey paint at the top of this section, just underneath the tiger’s eye, to create a slight shadow.
It also helps to over lap the fur lines of each section.
Step 3:
Continue using the techniques from steps 1 and 2 to paint the rest of the tiger’s fur. I love to make my paintings extra colourful, so I have added in some shades of pink, yellow etc. however if you would prefer your tiger’s eye painting to look more realistic just stick to more natural tones of paint.
Step 4:
Time to get started on painting the actual eye! Use black paint to paint around the outline of the eye. Then use a light grey/blue shade of paint to paint in the highlight on the underneath section of the outer eye. Then just gently blend this with the darker paint.
Step 5:
Use a dark green paint to paint the upper section of the eye, as this part will be shadowed. Blend this as you paint the lower section of the eye with some mid green paint. As you move into the inner section of the tiger’s eye, use a yellow oxide shade of paint.
I go into more detail on this section in the full length Patreon tutorial!
Step 6:
Now time to paint the highlight of the eye (this is my favourite bit!) Use a light blue shade of paint to paint in the highlight, making it slightly darker at the top, and almost white at the bottom. Then mix some water with some dark grey paint and use a really small paintbrush to paint in some fur lines, to give the impression of the tiger’s fur reflecting in the eye.
Step 7:
Time to add the finishing touches! I added another layer of the tiger’s fur, using the same technique as before, just to give the fur more depth. I also added more contrast to the painting by deepening the darker areas, and lightening the highlights. Finally, I added a really thin highlight just underneath the tiger’s eye.
I really hope these tips were useful!
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