Tikumu’s letter

Press, 21 February 1978, Page 18

Tikumu’s letter

Dear Children, Drawing and painting animals is an absorbing hobby. Throughout history there have been artists who have found animals a fascinating subject. The oldest paintings of all which have come down to us are probably from the Ice Age and show reindeer, bison, wild horses, and other creatures which were hunted. They are paintings made on the walls and ceilings of caves, and are vivid and lifelike.

If you like animals and enjoy art, the following suggestions could help you to improve your, skill.

First, never forget that an animal is alive. Observe its movements carefully before you start drawing and then try to convey its life on paper, whether it is resting, sitting on its haunches, about to spring, or flying across the sky.

Look at the animal as if you are seeing it for the first time. Do not try to copy pictures or photographs but pretend that the animal is a new discovery and interpret it in your own way. Find out about the nature of particular kinds

of animals, their habits and daily lives. Watch them patiently and make sketches of typical attitudes. Record the way a bird, for example, holds its head, stands, and flies. In time you will understand much more about animals and, with practice in your sketchbook, you will learn how the bodies of animals work and how to develop your technique.' Work in any medium you like — pens, water colours, pastels, and so on. Experiment and find out all the different ways there are to make pictures.

It is helpful to half close your eyes for a short time before you draw an animal so that you cannot see its fur or feathers but see only its shape and proportions. Draw boldly in your first sketch and don’t worry about details. Quick sketches are often useful, particularly as some animals are seldom still when you work. You can pay more attention to detail after the animal has gone. Whenever you visit the zoo or go on tramps, take a pencil and a pad clipped to a square of plywood with you. Tikumu