Anatomy of a Cat

Anatomy of a Cat:

The cat, has one of the most flexible spines of all animals. It enables them to do feats that we can only dream of.

Here you see a skeleton of a big cat... now the big cat and the small cat have the same skeleton. So I want you to look at this picture and think of it as both small and big cat alike. As you can see, this one is a lion. Not that much different than that of a dogs skeleton, apart from some minor points which is to be expected with different breeds. The cat is a stealth predator; some are able to climb trees while others are far better at being land hunters.

Compared to two footed creatures, the four footed predator group have many similarities. Look at its lower legs; the joint bones that connect through to the feet. Not that much different than that of the dog really.

So what do you think of when you see the difference of the dog and cat in the ways they move? quite allot actually. The cat seems to just glide or you could say "slink" along. Whereas the dog seems to be more upright and ridged in its movements. The cat almost gives you the feeling that they could disappear off into the undergrowth. Where the dog

So how in art should be portray the cat? any ideas? 

The cat is so flexible and able to just slide into its existence. And you will find that there are people who don't like cats. One of the biggest reasons is the way the cat slinks in its movements. True.... some people find this disturbing.

Could I understand this, well in a way. though I am an avid cat lover myself, and I regard their movements as highly sophisticated. And I want you to get in the mind-set of the difference in the way they move to other animals. Because I want you to be thinking this when you draw, paint, and sculpt them.

Here in anatomy of a cat, you can see the cats muscle structure, fine in build; yet also they are masters of balance and power. See their taught shoulders, and hind legs.

So study well.......    their very essence, needs to be brought out in your work. Because this is the cat, these features makes the cat what it is, graceful and a pressure to watch. I want the onlooker to notice that you have captured this in your work. The cats grace is about the most important thing you can achieve when doing the cat, if you get this right. You will find everything else follows.

Lets return from Anatomy of a Cat to Cat Art