How to Sketch & Paint a Realistic Snow Leopard in Watercolor

In this video I'm sharing my process & tools for creating this snow leopard watercolor painting!
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These are the supplies used in this video:
📜 New York Central Professional Watercolor Panel 1 & 5/8" depth, Fabriano cold pressed paper - from Jerry's Artarama
🎨 Daniel Smith Ultramarine ➡️ www.dpbolvw.net/click-9110141-...
🎨 Daniel Smith Burnt Sienna ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
🎨 Daniel Smith Indigo ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
🎨 Holbein Yellow Ochre ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
🎨 Holbein Permanent Alizarin Crimson ➡️ www.tkqlhce.com/click-9110141-...
🎨 Holbein Turquoise Blue ➡️ www.dpbolvw.net/click-9110141-...
🖌️ Silver Brush Black Velvet Brush - Oval Wash, Size 3/4" ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-91101...
🖌️ Silver Black Velvet Size 8 Round ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
🖌️ Lebenzon small diameter brown synthetic brush with 3/4 inch bristle and bamboo cane handle ➡️ lebenzon-paintbrushes.com/pro...
🌈 Mijello 18 well palette
UK/Worldwide Shipping (Jackson's Art Supply)
🎨 BURNT SIENNA ➡️ bit.ly/3hnOuuJ
🎨 ULTRAMARINE ➡️ bit.ly/2YuwMyj
🎨 INDIGO ➡️ bit.ly/3gvX21H
🎨 Holbein YELLOW OCHRE ➡️ bit.ly/3gm1zU7
🎨 Holbein PERMANENT ALIZARIN CRIMSON ➡️ bit.ly/2YrIIRv
🎨 Holbein TURQUOISE BLUE ➡️ bit.ly/3hpnx9Y My favorite brush: Silver Black Velvet Size 8 Round ➡️ bit.ly/32SS9uE
🌈 Mijello 18 well palette ➡️ bit.ly/2EdslkK
🎥 Film & Editing Gear 🎞️
- Canon EOS R Plus RF24-105mm F4-7.1 is STM Lens Kit ➡️ amzn.to/3pC8mR9
- Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens ➡️ amzn.to/35uGlUS
- Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Vlogging Camera Kit with EF-M 15-45mm Lens ➡️ amzn.to/3MlGdYl
- Studio Lights ➡️ amzn.to/2Tz1xib
- Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod ➡️ amzn.to/3sNshi8
- Manfrotto 502 Video Head MVH502AH ➡️ amzn.to/35QTU0w - pangshi 11inch Adjustable Articulating Friction Magic Arm ➡️ amzn.to/3CkT73X
- Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone ➡️ amzn.to/3tA3nBr
- RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm ➡️ amzn.to/3vIfgbb
- Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator ➡️ amzn.to/3tz3rl5
- Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Please note, some of these links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. This allows me to continue creating helpful and entertaining free content! I only recommend products that I use and love.

[@Blick_Art]

Love it! Artists who want to make their own watercolor panels can use Gloss Acrylic Gel Medium as an adhesive- it has strong adhesion but allows repositioning to get a good fit. It's a lot easier and safer for the artwork to mount the paper before painting, rather than trying to mount finished art. Some artists are now varnishing pictures like this for display without glass, but varnish can alter the appearance of watercolor paint so it's good to test first before coating a finished piece.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Ooh I will need to try that! Thank you so much for the helpful info!

[@debbieborden7651]

Does the papers need to be stretched before mounting? @blickartmaterials

[@Blick_Art]

@@debbieborden7651 It depends on how strong and resistant to distortion the panel material is. If the panel is very thin, pre-stretching the paper might reduce further shrinkage, which could distort a weaker panel. If you're using a heavy, strong panel, however, the adhesive power of gel medium will hold the paper good and flat, and acrylic medium will not reactivate when wet like a dextrin or starch adhesive.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Fabulous piece Emily! Never tried one of these cradle mounted papers but I may have to after seeing this. Neat stuff!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Oh, hey Steve! Thanks for the nice comment! 😊 It was *mostly* just like the Fabriano paper on a block, but I will admit it felt perhaps a little drier? Hard to describe. Still a great painting experience, and beautifully archival.

[@judywitmer7503]

Beautiful! Just painted my first snow leopard. Not as good as yours, but I learned alot. Thank you!

[@froggo_cat]

snow leopards are my favorite animal

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

They are fabulous!

[@Saahrish]

Absolutely gorgeous!!! I am definitely going to try following the real time tutorial as I love snow leopards.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Wonderful! Enjoy!

[@AngelaDibble-qc2ot]

The eyes are magical. Lovely painting.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you!

[@tabbi888]

This piece was extremely beautiful with such subtle tones mixing for a wonderfully high depth work. It's amazing how much depth was created without using the full tonal spectrum, yet the use of colour carries the effect perfectly. It's a perfect example of how cool colours recede and warmer colours are brought forward. A lot can be achieved from clever use of colour. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work with us ❤️ 😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks for watching and for your kind, thoughtful comment!

[@Melissatheartist]

Those eyes! You captured the magic of snow leopard 🤍🐾

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@kitimalek6443]

شكرا

[@pattyhall7162]

Like it!

[@user-tg8wh7uz3j]

So fascinating to watch and listen. I cannot imagine having such talent. Perhaps one day. Thank you, Emily, for so much that you share.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

Super Snow leopard painting Emily 👍

[@marciamcgrath4953]

Wow! They are beautiful animals. You did it justice in this painting.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you very much, Marcia!

[@viera4128]

Pozdravujem Vás zo Slovenska. Je to geniálne!

[@PaulDrawsArt-c4o]

Those snow leopards eyes wow very beautiful

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you!

[@moonlightgator]

Very pretty and looks easy to paint.

[@sonyaoart]

what a beautiful portrait!

[@ChantelleArts]

This is so stunning 😍

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you!! 😊

[@deborahgoodwin3426]

Absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to try it after watching again over in the mastery program. I am afraid that I am not quite good enough to chance painting on such a beautiful (and pricey) surface. Hopefully someday 🙏👩‍🦳🖌️

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You'll still great results on Arches or Fabriano cotton cold pressed paper. Enjoy the tutorial!

[@judymills873]

Beautiful!

[@inger_musicart5620]

Gorgeous!

[@chiarasola826]

Stunning! 😍

[@deborahobrien255]

Wow, Emily, that is beautiful. Thank you for sharing that grid technique. I've never seen that before. And thank you, thank you for your generosity.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure! Thanks for the lovely comment, Deborah!

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

Fantastic!

[@pintsizestories196]

Really beautiful! I especially like the way you did the eyes.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Yoli391]

Hermoso.❤

[@Camila-db1oi]

What a beautiful painting... Thank you for sharing the technique you use!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure!

[@crystalheart9]

Wow I love your videos and Snow Leopards are my favorite cat. Your work is beautiful and it was very interesting seeing you paint on the paper on a mounted surface. Thanks for a great video.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@PHALOMOON]

Wow, such a great video Thx Emily, definitely checking out your classroom! Hugs from TX

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks so much for stopping by!

[@deannamunro8148]

stunning!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you!!

[@rupamagdy805]

Stunning!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@donnagoode6923]

Beautiful! If I attempt this, I’ll use transfer paper and just mark the really dark areas as reference points. Great tip to intensify the colors so you can see the warm and cool areas. Thank you.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure! I hope you'll give it a go!

[@anequee]

Beautiful. 3D effect is great 💗

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I appreciate that!

[@mariegray2814]

Lovely!

[@watercolorpaintingintheaft9142]

Just gorgeous! I really love the way you teach. I always learn so much!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I'm so glad!

[@ellymeerleveldt614]

Such a awesome painting thank you for sharing Emily 👍

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks so much 😊

[@kate4986]

So beautiful! What a fantastic video, so much useful info and mesmerising to watch! Amazing work x

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dianaochoa9950]

Dios que hermoso, definitivamente necesito todas tus clases.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

😊😊😊

[@paulinedavis3660]

So beautiful 😍

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@survivalist56]

great work )

[@mcfar538]

Nice. Great video! And, Wow! You are so talented!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@themeparksvisionart]

Amazing painting like it look so beautiful keep going lovely work! 😄👍

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you very much!

[@enasasker1514]

It's amazing 👍👏👏👏

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@a.cornelia]

Such a beautiful painting! You’re so inspirational ❤ I’ve been using the Da Vinci Eye app to get an accurate drawing on my watercolor paper (not affiliated or anything) and I’ve been LOVING it to eliminate using tracing and transfer paper. This way I can still do my drawings on separate paper or in procreate (still learning and make a lot of mistakes haha), snap a picture and easily trace it ever so lightly on my watercolor paper 😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That's so great you've found a helpful tool! Thanks so much for the nice comment!

[@jamesart47]

Wow, such a fantastic video ☺

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@cristinagarcia9889]

So gorgeous! I use watercolor pencils for my gridlines/dots so they disappear when I paint over them.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That's super smart!

[@amberfreed784]

This is beautiful! I love your teaching style. What app do you use to over saturate your photos like you showed here?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I use Photoshop. 😊

[@MylieWeir]

Wow this looks amazing!! This year my goal is to improve my Watercolour Animals, and I am so inspired by you!! I have a question too , roughly how long does it take you to paint one of you Animal paintings?? I am so curious, love your paintings!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That’s a great goal! This one took about 3 hours. :-)

[@lizbethy3214]

Just beautiful! What do you do with all of your artwork?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

It piles up in my studio! 😅

[@turtlewolf8107]

Or strings for a grid.

[@judywitmer7503]

Beautiful painting! Where did you find the reference picture?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I combined two different images from Pixabay!

[@susanbricker7410]

Hi Emily! You're an amazing artist! I love your videos. I'm interested in signing up for the monthly membership but want to wait until Feb 3rd. Will the monthly price still be the same then? It looks like a great membership. Thanks for your help and passion to help others.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Hi Susan, and thanks for your comment! Yes--should be the same pricing in February. Would love to see you in the membership! :)

[@susanbricker7410]

@@EmilyOlsonArt Thanks so much. I appreciate it. :))

[@jennisalyers]

You paint didn’t really seem to bead on the plastic. What did you prep it with?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You mean on the plastic palette? No beading, probably because it's a well-used and well-loved palette. You really only encounter beading on brand new plastic palettes. :)

[@jennisalyers]

I prep mine usually with a magic eraser but still get some beading. I’ll just keep using them 😊

[@goosecouple]

Albino Tiger ?

[@debbieborden7651]

Stunning!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you! 😊