Common Core State Standard: CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.A.1-3, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.B.5-6, CCSS.

MATH.CONTENT.1.G.A.2 w

Illustrating Animals
Written by Bruce Museum
Fuzzy or scaly, fierce or friendly, animals fascinate and captivate audiences young and
old. When artists set out to draw, paint, or collage an animal, their focus is not always
on perfectly representing every detail. Instead artists focus on capturing the animal’s
spirit, the essence of what makes a raccoon a raccoon, a fox a fox, or a rabbit a rabbit.
Representing the basic shapes of the animal, instead of focusing on each individual
detail, creates clear and beautiful illustration. In the picture at the right notice the
fox’s ears are pricked forward and his tail is fluffed up, while the clumsy groundhog
is standing awkwardly on short stubby legs. These details are the key to creating
amusing and readable animal illustrations.
Carmen Segovia
Illustration from Brownie Groundhog
and the February Fox by Susan
Blackaby, 2011
Acrylic and ink

Get Creative Brendan Wenzel

The Raccoon and the
Ladybug, 2015
Watercolor, acrylic,
This little lady bug and raccoon were made colored pencil, and
using collage, the process of creating crayon
an image from pieces of paper or other
materials. Take a close look at the image
and try to figure out what shapes the artist
used for their bodies, faces, legs and other
features. Cut out your own pieces of paper
and try to assemble your own creature.