Platypus Illustration In Watercolour
(Original Artwork Available)
Patreon Exclusive Video – Commercial Illustration WIP In Time Lapse Clips
Stepping into our third Australian animal illustration for this series, it is no easier a task to decide which beautiful critter to settle on next. After much discussion and fun considering the options, my client said ‘… this time YOU choose’! And just like that, a really clear image of the platypus appeared in my minds eye… and with that, our third beautiful illustration was decided.
We decided to have him in a possible swimming or break dancing styled posture, bill downwards facing with a beautiful flow or movement to the composition. I set about creating what I saw in my mind into a physical form, refining it to a layout which was soon approved and underway. Starting as always with the graphite drawing, I now had a very clear start to bringing my platypus character to life.
With the styling, or the characteristics for this series set with the wombat then cemented with the Quokka illustrations before it, our direction forwards for the rendering continues quite clearly now. Using the same colours as the first two illustrations for consistency, I weighted my colours to its own harmonious yet unique balance this time, amplifying the visual variation in this painting further with the use of new textures.
I fell right into the beautiful textures of this illustration, once again creating a furry appearance, but far slicker for the platypus than for the quokka painting. Its wonderful painting practice, capturing this new, furry texture, which is seen far more in animal illustration than the botanical and bird subjects I usually focus on. This is part of the joy of commercial illustration projects, where new challenges and horizons are always begging to be explored.
For me adapting to any subject or styling is not hard and I thoroughly enjoy the expansion. This project is such a fantastic thing to be a part of too, working with such wonderful clients and their eternally fun focussed business, each animal painting we create taking on a brilliant little life of its own. Ive painted many subjects in my time, but I dont believe Ive ever painted a platypus before! It is the most curious animal imaginable, so a perfect exploration and exercise in LOOKING over ASSUMING what an animals features are. This one is of course, right out of the book of fun and fantasies!
The platypus’ bill was a completely unique painting challenge of its own! Strange, leathery, glossy with plenty of highlights to capture, a feature that seems just kind of plonked on the front of his head, unlike any bill on earth… but isnt that just the whole fabulous theme of the platypus!
Golden brown fur, a beaver like tail, sweet, squinty little eyes and webbed feet complete this story, along with a smattering of fun little bubbles scattered throughout the image for movement and interest. Finally my platypus illustration comes to a close too, the third in the series so far, but just like the first two… we love him!
If youd like to see more on this, or on many of my commercial illustration projects, come and join me on Patreon for lots of exclusive insights, content and even painting lessons.