How to draw and paint

[Cats]

How to get proportions correct

Cats of all kinds are the favourite animal subjects found in every town, city and village in the country. There are different types of cats. The short-haired domestic cat is popular the world over.

It is the pet most frequently drawn and painted by beginner artists. If you can sketch a cat accurately then you will be able to draw any creature.

The graceful way they move give an impression of hidden power. A flexible coat and spine allows them to adopt a wide range of interesting poses.

If you can correctly draw a cat's face first, you have solved the hardest part of the job. The bone formation is hidden by muscle and fur.

Let's start with the cat's head. Study Fig. 1. You may observe the basic shape is oval.

sleeping positions

The ears are roughly half way between the ear tips and bottom of the lower jaw where the eyes look out.

Half way between the eyebrows and lower jaw line is where the top of the nose is. With a little practice you will soon get the proportions right.

Copy a cat's picture. Draw a cat's head from life or from a photograph in pencil and then ink it. Practise drawing more and more until you can do them from memory.

Fig. 2 shows two sleeping positions in outline. Observe how her legs and head have been drawn. Remember how to convey the curve of the body, muscle and limb.

When you can draw a sleeping cat accurately, you will be able to draw one in any position.

Complete painting of a sleeping cat

But remember, a sleeping cat may be deep in dreamland and appear to be motionless, but no sooner you start sketching it will suddenly twitch, stretch and assume a different position.

A cat resting, however, will normally remain in the same posture for a long time. The secret is to observe carefully and then quickly jot down the basic shape.

After that, it does not matter if the cat moves because you can take time adding the little details. Finally, a complete coloured picture of a sleeping cat is shown in Fig. 3.