David N. Kitler
Grounded in the experience of nature, David N.
Kitler explores the combination of drawing and acrylic media. Appreciation
of animals and birds in their natural setting has motivated David
to continue his exceptional drawing and acrylic work. In this educational,
creative and inspiring instructional video on drawing wildlife, David demonstrates
his masterful techniques and the results that have led to his international
prominence.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, David N. Kitler's appreciation
of nature began in his youth, as he explored the Canadian outdoors. Once he
realized that the whole world was only a plane trip away, David embarked on
longer reference-gathering trips to places such as Kenya, Tanzania, Nepal,
India, Brazil, Panama, and Costa Rica, as well as through most of the U.S.A.
and Alaska. In the meantime, David taught himself to draw and paint, experimenting
with a variety of media and techniques.
David's paintings have gained international recognition and are part
of corporate and private collections the world over. David is a member of
the prestigious Society of
Animal Artists and the Worldwide
Nature Artists Group, and has been invited to exhibit in some of North America's major art
shows, where he has received a number of Best of Show and Excellence awards.
Besides painting, David spends time on research trips with his wife and
with the many students in his art classes and workshops, with whom he enjoys
sharing his passions for nature and art. Furthermore, he has had the opportunity
to spend time in the field with some of the world's top wildlife artists, including
Robert Bateman and Carl
Brenders. A strong supporter of conservation projects
and of his community, David continues to donate works in support of the fund-raising
activities of numerous organizations.
When painting, David has two primary objectives: 1) to bring "the wild" within
reach for those who have not experienced it themselves,
and 2) to provide a permanent reminder for those who have.
The ideas for David's paintings are the result of his experiences
with his subjects. Some people write their experiences in a journal; David paints them.
Because accuracy and integrity in the depiction of wildlife are of primary
importance to him, David travels to where his subjects
live. His observations
go beyond appearance, proportion, light, and color, to the animal's behavior
and interactions within its natural habitat. While there, he also gathers as
much reference as possible, from actual specimens (fallen feathers, fur, grasses,
etc.), to photographs and slides.
Back in the studio, David sifts through
the references he has gathered, re-living the experience, and deciding which
story he wants to tell at that particular time.
"For me, there are four main steps in creating a piece of art. The first
step, the idea, is the most important and also the hardest one."
"In the second step, drawing, all my observations, sketches, specimens,
slides, and photographs, must converge into an accurate, yet meaningful image.
The third step, the actual painting of the piece, is an easier one. The last
step, the signature, is my final stamp of approval."
Creative Catalyst Productions Inc.
Art Instruction DVD PREVIEWS 
