Karla Mann

Third Prize is a one-page editorial feature in American Art Collector magazine

My Inspiration

I am constantly inspired by wildlife, whether it be furry or feathered, in my backyard or in the wilderness. Each animal, bird, reptile, displays a particular personality. When I paint I try to capture that personality, like the little squirrel that posed so nice for me in my backyard. Squirrels like chipmunks are challenge to photograph for reference because they scatter quickly.

My Design Strategy

My goal when painting any wildlife image is portray the subject as realistic as possible. I want to viewer to feel as though they were there seeing what I see in the wild. I strive for depth in my work by being very aware of light and shadow and how it plays on the surface of the different textures within the image. I use very thin coats of paint and blending brushes to keep my brushstrokes at a minimum so they only show where I want them to show.

My Working Process

I use photographs to work from but I am not bound to a single photograph to create the image. When I am in the field I photograph the landscape, fallen logs with moss, rocks, foliage, as well as the as the wildlife in that particular area. Seldom is the subject in a perfect background so I use Photoshop to bring in the elements necessary for a good composition. My computer becomes my sketch tool as I cut and paste being sure all the light sources are the same. When I am finished composing the image I work the edges so is does not look like a cut and paste but rather like the photo was taken that way. I grid the image and my painting surface and do a detailed drawing... now I am ready to paint!

Contact Details

» Email: dragonflyvisions@cox.net

» Website: www.kmmann.com