Tag Archives: wolf

Magic Wolf Spirit

I was inspired to paint this little wolf portrait during a short break from my commissions. It is created with acrylics and colored pencil on cold press watercolor paper, cut down to 6″ x 8″, and completed June 21, 2024. I don’t normally paint this small, but I just wanted to do something quick and fun, and a glowing wolf at night with the moon behind him seemed like a cool idea.

I was inspired by something I read online that basically said how magical it is that other people can create things that touch us deeply, like art, music, and stories, that can be passed down through the generations. I even wrote a (crude) poem about it:

What is magic, if not the ability to touch the souls of distant lives
With our words, music, paintings, and performances?
The connection created when someone laughs, cries, or is moved by our work?
That is the truest magic of all.

The wolf was not based on any particular reference image, but was essentially drawn from memory. I started by cutting down a piece of cold press watercolor paper to roughly 6×8 inches and transferred a sketch I had drawn on a piece of sketch paper to it using a light table. I then taped it with painters’ tape to a piece of sturdy cardboard, and began painting. I had a rough idea what I wanted it to look like, but as I painted it took on a life of its own. I started by painting the background a dark blue-purple, leaving the ‘moon’ white. I then blocked in the ground with black, leaving a little lighter blue strip along the horizon.

Magic Wolf Spirit
Scanned Version of "Magic Wolf Spirit"; scanned with flatbed scanner

_{The above photographs show the flatbed scan (left) with photographs of the artwork in direct light (2 on the right)}

The ‘moon’ was painted with silver paint, with the very outer edge left unpainted so it had a glowing rim. I then added stars to the background, but it looked unfinished to me. So I added the halo around the moon, and then added rays of light being cast out in all directions with pearlescent and silver paints. This gives a really cool glowing effect when viewed in direct light. On the very bottom of the moon I added some metallic graphite, to give it a slight shaded effect. With colored pencil, I drew some more rays along the outer edge and into the sky, and also used a light blue colored pencil to lighten the horizon glow.

The wolf was blocked in with blue-gray, except the very outer edge, which I left completely unpainted so that it had a glowing rm-light effect. To the wolf I actually painted several layers, lighter and darker ones, until I got the effect that I wanted. When I first started it was too light, so I had to darken it several times before it was dark enough, then added white in layers for the fur details. The eyes were painted a bright striking yellow, the only warm color in the entire painting.

This was a very fun little postcard-sized painting and I might paint some more in the future as small paintings to sell.

Wolf With Eyes of Fierce Green Fire

While taking a short break from doing pet portraits, I decided to go back to my longtime muse: wolves. Nothing centers me as much as taking out my colored pencils and drawing a wolf portrait, something I have not really done for a very long time. Many years ago I used to draw wolves all the time. Perhaps it is something I will pick up again when I have more time. Just something for practice, to relax, and to draw a subject that is familiar and beautiful to calm my mind.

This drawing is based loosely off of a section of prose titled “Thinking Like A Mountain” by renowned wildlife biologist Aldo Leopold. In this memoir, Aldo recalls a scene when he is hunting wolves, something he had done before, but this time was different. It was an experience that haunted him, and changed the course of his life permanently, turning him from a pro-hunter anti-wolf person to one of nature’s staunchest advocates. The passage reads:

“We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes something known only to her and to the mountain. I was young then, and full of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters’ paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view.”

This bit of prose also affected me when I was a child, and was one of the things (among many) that set me on the path of my lifelong obsession with wolves. It is a haunting reminder of how fragile the ecosystem is and just how important these beautiful animals are; not because they have economic value to us as humans, but because they have their own intrinsic worth and deserve to live.

This drawing was made with Prismacolor colored pencils on 9×12 inch Strathmore tan colored drawing paper, in November 2023. I did not use any one particular reference to draw it; instead I used a few copyright-free photographs as general references for the face shape and made up my own markings for him. I loved drawing on the tan colored paper. It gives a neutral mid-tone base to work on, so the artist can focus on the highlights and shadows. I prefer working on colored paper vs white paper for most drawings, unless I want them to be as full saturation and vibrant as possible, which white paper is best for.

The original drawing is framed and hanging on my wall in my studio. If you want to purchase it, or want a custom drawing of your own, please contact me.

Liminal Space

This unique drawing was another wolf that I drew in November of 2023. The wolf in the drawing is based off of a personal spirit guide of mine, which features a grey wolf carrying a lantern. His purpose is to guide you through troubled times and provide a beacon of hope in the darkness. I wrote a short poem about him:

Traversing liminal spaces of my mind
Through foggy realms I roam
In the distance a golden light shines
A beacon for the pathway home

This wolf specifically is kind of a private emblem of mine, although I had not drawn him before. I have a few ideas for paintings featuring this wolf, and I hope he can show up again in my artwork in the future.

This drawing was made with Prismacolor colored pencils on a 9×12 inch sheet of tan colored Strathmore drawing paper. Though I loved how the drawing turned out, I wanted to try to simulate a glowing effect with the lantern. So I used an image editing program, and selected a circle around the lantern with a large feather, kept that and everything outside that circle was adjusted to be darker and more blue colored. This gave the effect of the lantern glowing, and the blue shifted background and wolf gave a sense of depth and coolness to the surroundings, as if he was emerging from a foggy realm.

The original drawing can be seen below:

I love the richness and details in the wolf’s fur here, but the lantern effect was not prominent in the original drawing, and so it did not turn out as I had expected. However, I do love both versions of this drawing.

The wolf was based very loosely on photos of wolves walking in profile that I found in various places online, and modified the markings and legs, and of course added the lantern to his mouth.

I Saw You In My Dream White Wolf Painting

An ethereal wolf spirit appears in front of you, asking you to follow him wherever he leads. Do you take him up on his offer, or let him vanish into the ether?

This painting is of a creature that I love more than any other, yet does not feature much in my art. Probably due to my art teachers telling me that I needed to not draw only a single subject, and instead expand my horizons. However, after years of not drawing or painting wolves, I think it is time I revisit this amazing creature. The painting was based on this photograph of a white wolf looking over his shoulder, perhaps beckoning you to follow him. I created the painting with acrylic paints on a 16×20 stretched linen canvas, and it was completed in June 2023. It features a mostly cool color scheme, including teal, blue, violet, purple and magenta, against a starry night sky background. He (or she) has a glowing effect around the edges, giving just a hint that this is not a real wolf, but instead a spirit animal. The piercing yellow eyes stand out against the blues and purples, and seem to stare straight into your soul.

I titled this painting “I Saw You In My Dream” because to me the wolf seemed like he came right out of a dream, not quite real. A white wolf that visits you when you dream, to watch over you on your nightly journey through the vast expanses of your subconscious. A guardian spirit to help you on your path through life.

Fleece blanket of a colorful white wolf spirit

This unique artwork is available for purchase as an art print and other merchandise in my online stores. Please continue reading to learn about all the products available in each store.

Fine Art Prints

This artwork is available in my fine art prints store on various wall art options. It is available in sizes ranging from 6″ x 8″ all the way up to 48″ x 60″. You can choose giclee paper prints with hundreds of options for matting and framing. Of you can order a ready to hang print on canvas, acrylic, metal, or wood. It is also available as home decor and gift products, such as greeting cards, phone cases, throw pillows, duvet covers, shower curtains, tote bags, zipper pouches, beach and bath towels, apparel, coffee mugs, yoga mats, spiral notebooks, fleece blankets, tapestries, jigsaw puzzles, stickers and ornaments.

RedBubble Gifts and More

If you are looking for more options, you can visit my RedBubble store. In this store are many more options for shirts and apparel, including hats, scarves, hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, dresses, baby and kids clothes, masks, and aprons. Also in this store are pet goods such as mats and blankets; electronic goods such as mouse pads, desk mats, phone cases and skins, laptop sleeves and skins, and ipad cases. There are home decor items such as blankets, curtains, mats, clocks, comforters, coasters, and pillows. There is also an assortment of stickers and magnets.

Etsy Store

In my Etsy Shop I have a few select products for sale. There are plush minky fleece blankets with single and double sided print and also the option to choose a solid color for the back. These are available in 3 sizes. I also have accent mugs with a color on the inside and on the handle. There are spiral notebooks with the option for personalization. I have tote bags in three sizes. There is a jigsaw puzzle also available in three sizes. I have garden and house flags in two different sizes. And vinyl stickers in 4 sizes.

Wolf Aurora Colorful Fantasy Drawing

This artwork is titled “Wolf Aurora”, and features a colorful drawing of an ethereal wolf spirit emerging from the lights of the Aurora Borealis. The drawing was created with Koh-i-noor Gioconda pastel pencils on Strathmore Artagain black paper, and measures 9″ x 12″. The original drawing was created on June 23, 2006. However, it was improperly stored, and much of the pastel had fallen off of the paper. So I restored it on August 15, 2018 by going over it again with the same pastel pencils. The original drawing is very sketchy and rough, and the end result is more refined and polished. Larger versions of this drawing can be seen in my portfolio: Newer Drawing and Original Drawing.

I had just gotten a set of these pastel pencils, and was experimenting with technique, and drew this colorful wolf portrait in blues, greens and violets on black paper. The colors reminded me of the Aurora Borealis. It was originally a quick sketch drawing that was done as a warm up, and to get used to how the pencils worked on the paper. However, I really liked how it turned out. The very first version, which I do not have a scan of, was missing the eyes. I originalle left the eyes completely black to give it a more “spirit animal” feeling, but later decided that it would look better with eyes. I had gone back to add the eyes and scan this artwork, so there is actually three versions of this drawing.

Wolf Aurora Old Drawing vs New Drawing

The reason that I restored it was that I was looking to add higher quality scans of my artwork in my print store, and was going back and rescanning old artworks at a higher DPI. When I got to this one, I realized I could not scan it as it was, and worked on restoring it so I could scan it. Since the original was done in 2006, which was 12 years prior, my art skills and style have changed significantly. I tried to maintain the spirit of the original drawing, but I also ended up correcting some minor flaws, such as the mouth shape and details in the nose. The original scan also cropped out some of the background, so I was able to capture more of the background when I rescanned it, which is why the wolf looks bigger in the first one. Which version do you prefer?

There is not really any deep meaning or inspiration for this drawing. I really like cool colors, and had just gotten this great black paper which worked very well with pastel pencils. I loved drawing wolves, and wanted to do a cool colorful portrait of a wolf. I drew the wolf first, then added the various abstract lines to the background, and the end result looked like a wolf spirit in the northern lights. So I decided to call it Wolf Aurora.

Art Prints, Wall Art, and Other Products

This artwork is available in my online stores too purchase as a fine art print, other wall art options, home decor, clothing, and many other cool products. Continue reading to learn what products are available with this design in my online stores.

Wolf Aurora Framed Artwork

Art Prints, Wall Art and Home Decor

You can purchase “Wolf Aurora” in my FineArtAmerica Art Print Store as a fine art print with many choices of size and material, as well as hundreds of options for framing. Choose from paper giclee prints, stretched canvas prints, and prints on metal, wood, and acrylic, as well as tapestries. Each material comes in a variety of sizes, from 6″ x 8″ to 46″ x 60″. They can even be cropped to standard sizes for easy framing. For art prints, choose from eight different paper types and hundreds of options for framing. Canvas prints come in glossy (recommended) or matte finish, with five different wrap choices, and even the option for framing. Metal prints are printed directly on a 1/16″ sheet of aluminum, and come ready to hang. Acrylic prints are printed on the back of a 1/4″ sheet of clear high gloss acrylic, and your choice of two mounting options. Wood prints are created by printing the artwork on 3/4″ thick maple wood, and come with d-rings for hanging. Cloth tapestries come in three sizes and are printed on polyester microfiber, and are machine washable.

In this store, you can also choose from many other home decor products and other merchandise. This artwork is available on cell phone cases, greeting cards, throw pillows, duvet covers, shower curtains, tote bags, carry-all pouches, beach and bath towels, t-shirts, coffee mugs, yoga mats, face masks, spiral notebooks, and fleece blankets. Most products come with multiple size options.

Wolf Aurora throw pillows

Clothing, Home Decor, and Gift Products

If you are looking for something a little different, visit my RedBubble Store. This store has many products not available in my other online store. It carries most of the same products as the previous store (tote bags, pillows, etc) and many more. There are over 40 unique apparel options for men, women and children, including shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, dresses, chiffon tops, leggings, mini skirts, and scarves. Die cut vinyl stickers are a popular favorite, and can be stuck on any surface. There are many options for electronics, including laptop sleeves and skins, iPad cases, iPhone cases, Samsung Galaxy cases, and phone wallets. This store does have a selection of wall art, but fewer sizes are available, being limited to 3-4 sizes. But they do have art boards and posters. You can also purchase acrylic blocks, bath mats, wall clocks, coasters, comforters, floor pillows, drawstring bags, face masks in 3 sizes, pinback buttons, die-cut magnets, socks, travel mugs, water bottles, hardcover journals, jigsaw puzzles, and aprons.

Something Different – Psychedelic Wolf Drawing

My popular drawing “Psychedelic Wolf” was one of my earliest psychedelic animal drawings. It was completed on February 4, 2008, and was created with Prismacolor colored pencils on Strathmore drawing paper. It features a portrait of a wolf with alternating bands of colors forming the wolf’s head and upper body, with a background also consisting of colored bands of different colors. A larger version of this drawing can be seen in my portfolio here – Psychedelic Wolf.

Inspiration for the Artwork

In the years between 2006-2008, I created several now popular psychedelic inspired drawings. This marked a turning point in my artistic style as well as marked the beginnings of my professional art career. At this period of time, I was started to get more into the classic rock of the 1960s and 1970s, and was influenced by the artwork of that era. My previous artwork consisted of mostly semi-realistic animal portraits and fantasy drawings. I liked to draw, but was struggling with trying to find my own style. I’d like to think I found it now!

The funny thing about this drawing was that my original plan for it was nothing like how it eventually turned out. It was just going to be another wolf portrait, but my original idea was to make it just a bit more colorful. As I was starting to draw it, however, it seemed like the drawing had a mind of its own, and I just started laying down streaks of colors. I used complementary colors next to each other for extreme contrast, and the lines themselves were gradient and dynamic, changing colors with each twist and turn. The right edge of the wolf’s body seems to start to “melt” into the background.

The overall color tones used did mimic the markings of a grey wolf: darker colors used in darker areas, and lighter ones in lighter areas. This becomes apparent when you look at a greyscale version of the drawing, which you can see below. The dark areas are the inside of the ears, the middle of the forehead, around the eyes, the nose and mouth, and the markings just around the top and sides of the eyes.

“Psychedelic Wolf” – color vs grey

This was one of the first drawings that I uploaded to my newly opened online store, then on CafePress. I honestly had no idea that anyone would like this at all, but it quickly became one of my most popular artworks of all time. Even 12 years later, this still remains what I consider my flagship piece. I still have the original drawing in my art portfolio.

This artwork is available in all of my online stores for purchase as an art print and on merchandise. Please read below to know what is available in each store.

FineArtAmerica – Art Prints and Home Decor

Psychedelic Wolf Art Prints

My FineArtAmerica (also known as Pixels.com) store is the all around best place to go for art prints and home decor items. They have the most sizes available of any print store online, and the most variety of choices of paper types, mat colors and frames. Click the link or the picture to visit the store. For art prints and wall art, choose from giclee paper prints, framed prints, stretched canvas, and prints on metal, acrylic and wood, as well as wall tapestries. Home decor items include fleece blankets, coffee mugs, throw pillows, duvet covers, shower curtains, bath towels, beach towels, zipper pouches, and tote bags. They also have some cell phone cases, t-shirts, greeting cards, spiral notebooks, yoga mats, and face masks. They are the best of my stores to go for these items.

RedBubble Store – Home Decor and Apparel

Psychedelic wolf Redbubble Store

I have had my RedBubble store since 2008 and this was the very first design I uploaded there. They are a fantastic place to go for all kinds of gifts and decor. They have many of the same products as my FineArtAmerica store, but also have several unique products. Although they do have art prints and canvas prints, the sizes offered are more limited, with usually only 3-4 size choices for each print type. The one print they do have that is unique to RedBubble is the Gallery Art Board.

They have the most apparel options of any of my online stores. You can choose from so many different styles and colors of shirt, and even dresses and skirts! They also have really awesome die-cut vinyl stickers, which come in four sizes, and your choice of transparent, glossy white, or matte white. They have many great electronics cases, including laptop skins and sleeves, iPad skins and cases, iPhone skins and cases, and Samsung Galaxy skins and cases. They have three types of cell phone cases: soft, tough, and snap.

RedBubble has several products not found in FineArtAmerica, including acrylic blocks, bath mats, clocks, coasters, comforters, floor pillows, drawstring bags, cotton tote bags, travel mugs, and aprons. They also have other products such as pin back buttons, scarves, socks, hardcover journals, and water bottles. They recently added jigsaw puzzles.