This page is in evolution!
If you have a question about visionary art or sacred sites or anything else re: my spiritual art, please email me at susan@susantower.com and I will answer the best I can and add it to this list.
What is an Animal Totem?
Animal Spirit Guides and Nature Totems
An Animal Totem is like your personal doorway to the more peaceful realms of nature. It is your easy way to connect with the peace that Nature offers. Knowledge of your animal guides can relieve stress by improving your experience of connection with other parts of creation. American Indians call the process being 'One with Nature.'
Aligning with the consciousness of an animal is to find oneself in a place of Now-moment. A place of greater clarity and balanced emotions, free of past emotional baggage.
Click for a site that explains the Native American view of the Power of Animal Spirits.
Each animal has its own skills and wisdom to share. Your
learning process begins by developing a relationship with your animal by your own investigation of its habits, skills and mythologies that include it. It
is rewarding to broaden your understanding of another species; you gain
skill knowledge and greater respect for the diversity of life, and thus, more love and more light.
Take the best photo you can for your Pet Portrait reference
Taking the best photo of your pet will assure you of the best Pet Portrait art.
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Examples of good photos for drawing reference
1. Take the photo at a low angle of your pet. Get down where they are to snap the shot.
2. Be aware of harsh lighting and avoid flashes if you can. Look for overcast days and avoid squinty, harsh sunlight.
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Examples of bad photos for drawing reference
1. Don't just stand above the animal and take the picture.
2. Get as much of their body as you can in each shot. (Try not to cut off tails and toes.)
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This picture at left
works great. The photographer was positioned low in front of the dog. See how the dogs personality is revealed from this angle?
With white animals especially, taking the photos outdoors without a flash is best. A flash will wash out the detail.
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This picture is taken
at too high of a level. You need to
get lower and be at the animals heart level to get the best photo.
Plus, see how the flash washed out the detail? Outdoors with no flash and an overcast day is best.
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This picture at left
works great. The photographer was positioned low in front of the cat. See how the cat's essence is revealed from this angle? |
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This picture is taken at too high of a level and makes the feet look too small. You need to get lower and be at the animals heart level to get the best photo.
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This picture at left works great. The photographer was positioned low in front of the bird. See how the bird's personality is more apparent? |
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This picture is taken at too high of a level. You need to get lower and be at the animals heart level to get the best photo. |
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The lighting for this photo makes it easy to draw from. There is still shadow to define the musculature but it is muted.
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This picture has too harsh light. See how the face is washed out and the cast shadow is too sharp? An overcast day is much better for this reason. Waiting for the sun to be lower or go behind a cloud are other options for bright days.
It does include the feet - that's good!
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