How I Paint Wildlife : My Process and Inspiration

Every Painting Begins with a Moment

It usually starts with a photograph : a flash of colour in a nature documentary, a chance encounter at a wildlife sanctuary, or a memory of an animal that stopped me in my tracks. Before a single brushstroke lands on canvas, I spend time sitting with that image, asking myself: what is it about this creature that demands to be painted?

For me, wildlife art has never been about scientific accuracy alone. It's about capturing the personality of an animal  the tilt of a heron's head, the swagger of a bear mid-stride, the electric stillness of a leopard before it moves. That emotional truth is what I chase in every piece.

My Studio Process

I work primarily in acrylics, which let me build up rich, saturated layers of colour quickly. My palette leans bold I'm drawn to the unexpected purples in a raven's wing, the warm ochres of a lion's mane, the almost-neon greens of a tropical frog. Wildlife is rarely the muted, earthy palette people expect, and I love leaning into that vibrancy.

Why Animals?

Animals are honest subjects. They don't perform for the camera or pose for approval. There's a rawness to painting wildlife that keeps me humble and keeps me learning. Each species teaches me something new about colour, movement, and the way light behaves on different surfaces.

I'm also deeply aware that many of the animals I paint are under threat. Painting them feels like an act of witness - a way of saying: this creature exists, it is magnificent, and it matters.

From Studio to Your Wall

Each original painting is a one-of-a-kind piece, created in my Oshawa, Ontario studio. For those who love the work but want a more accessible option, I also offer fine art prints on paper and canvas prints reproduced to museum quality so the colour and detail translate beautifully.

If you'd like to follow along with new work as it's created, explore the full collection here or sign up for my newsletter below.