Painting a Cats Nose

Painting a Cats Nose:

A cats nose.. such a delicate little thing... but most powerful in the smelling area, and complex in design.

Were going to study the most common of the cats noses, when I say common.

I tend to look at the cats nose as mainly the same overall shape, though you know with all the different breeds of cats out there today.

That there are breeds that have sharp noses, like the Orientals, and flat nosed cats like the Persian Cats for instance.

So, in learning how to paint the average cats nose is the best place to start from... I have given you pictures of the different angles you need to know in order to study the cats nose from all different angles.

The cats nose will vary in tone depending on the color combination of the overall cat.

Having a look at these close-up pictures on the page here, you can see how the nose is formed; don't just look at the end of the nose, remember that the ridge of the nose goes all the way up to the cats forehead.

It blends, making up the ridge that also forms the eyes. It's shape is subtle; yet also a very prominent part of the cats face.

It may look simple to draw or paint, but it's ability to confuse us once we have pencil or brush in hand becomes somewhat of a challenge.

Oh.... your saying not one of those harder parts of the face again. Afraid so.

The noses ability to look easy and simplified is only an illusion.

Struggling to get this feature right is just another hurdle to get over.

In painting a cats nose, you just keep your wits about you, and realizing, even before you contemplate doing the cats nose, that it's going to present challenges.

Not much will take away some of the frustration you will have when you think you have painted the nose right the first time. Only to step back and see it just looks too flat.

Here's a picture of the cats nose straight on.

When painting a cats nose, you will see how the different directions of the fur seem to grow.

And there can be many directions in such a small area. From straight upwards from the middle, of the nose, then laying forwards towards the end of the nose.

Then only to go in the opposite direction up towards the forehead.

And you have fur that seems to rise up from the cheeks of the cats face to blend with the nose on both sides.

Not to mention the different colors that you will need to blend in, and markings in painting a cats nose.

.The top of the cats nose flattens off, but not completely, so be careful here.

Also the tip of the fleshy part of the cats nose does not end in a downwards angle, it juts out a little.

I hope that these points will become very apparent to you, as you have a look at this important group of pictures of a cats nose, all on this page.

"How painting surpasses all human works by reason of the subtle possibilities which it contains." ~
Leonado da Vinci 1452 - 1519

In such close vicinity to each other, you can sweep your gaze from one picture to the other. Creating a three dimensional image in your mind.

Piecing together the overall cats nose in your mind.

This way, you will have a good guide in order to tackle the nose from all directions, don't worry if you stumble with this on the first few goes, just keep practicing.

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