How to Paint a Cat in Watercolor (Without Painting Every Hair)

Описание: Learn how to paint a cat in watercolor using light and shadow (without painting every single hair).

In this step-by-step watercolor tutorial, I’ll show you how to paint a cat by the window using light and shadow, soft atmosphere, and selective detail. This is a great technique if you want to paint animals in watercolor without getting stuck in fur texture.

🎨 If you want to paint along without stressing about the drawing, I have the tracing template + reference photo on Patreon:   / beatrizfedeleart  
(They’re great if you want to skip drawing and go straight to painting.)

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to:
Use the dark wall/background to create a clean cat silhouette (negative painting)
Paint soft greenery outside the window for atmosphere and story
Build the cat with simple values (lights, midtones, and shadows)
Add just a few strategic details so the fur looks believable without overworking it
Keep edges soft where needed and sharper only in focal areas
Chapters
00:00 Intro: Paint a cat with light and shadow (not every hair)
00:27 Plan for the painting: darks first, window, then cat
00:39 Painting the dark wall and window frame
02:32 Negative painting to keep the cat silhouette clean
02:55 Wetting the window area around the cat
03:31 Soft greenery outside the window (atmosphere, not leaves)
04:39 Adding contrast around the silhouette
05:43 Warming the window/frame and room tones
06:58 Cat colors and first wash (light side vs shadow side)
07:18 Patreon tracing template + reference photo
07:42 Building the cat with simple values (underpainting)
08:55 Ears and warm color notes
09:29 One brush with color, one brush with water (soft transitions)
10:55 Fast-forward: building form and fur illusion with values
11:10 Keeping the lit side warm and soft
11:59 Darker mix for face structure and focal details
13:20 Painting the eye, nose, and ear color accents
14:44 Building fur illusion with values (not hair-by-hair)
15:53 Painting the body, tail, and darkest shadows
17:11 Deepening the back and tail for form/turning
18:32 Why this works for painting animals in watercolor
19:47 Optional white paint details
19:52 Final thoughts + Patreon mention

This painting is less about a pet portrait and more about creating a quiet moment with mood, light, and story ✨

👇 Let me know in the comments:
Did you notice how much the cat “appears” just by placing the shadows correctly?

#watercolorcat #watercolortutorial #watercolorforbeginners

🎨 Want more watercolor tips & painting demos?
Subscribe on YouTube: @BeatrizFedeleArt

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#watercolorcat #watercolortutorial #watercoloranimals