I love art and I love animals, so the two together is always a hit with me. While I like realism in animal art, I don’t see the point in a drawing or painting that looks just like a photograph. Here are four artists who paint realistic animals but whose styles make it clear you are not looking at a photo.
Jeff Carter is the artist in this group whose style is most realistic. His wildlife paintings have the detail of scientific illustrations while being soft and warm.

Also taking a soft approach is animal keeper/painter Julie Brunn. While there is no question what the subjects of her paintings are, there is a blurry impressionistic touch that adds to their beauty

Justin Monson is a self-described “sketchpot.” He calls his paintings doodles, but if you look at his work, I think you’ll agree it’s more than that. He paints animals and other things, often on envelopes or package wrappings.

Last is Don Kobasky, whose painting style is more fantastic in the literal sense. His giant detailed animals are often shown in strong false colors, or in wild settings like space.

Which of these do you like best?
What hard choices! I love bright colors. I love realistic portrayals of animals, but Julie Brunn’s laughing fox blew me away.
Shared on my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/jabarrettauthor/
I thought the laughing fox was so interesting! Not the way we usually see them. But all of these artists have original things to offer.
Hi Kit,
I like all of them but for different reasons. I think each style aligns with different emotions, or that is what the paintings elicited from me. The vibrant octopus is the energetic, extrovert. The Hare and Tortoise made me think of a wonderfully illustrated children’s book. The fox (I think it’s yawning) gives me a relaxed feeling of a cloudy and rainy day. The tits make me thing of a good day, with a sunny disposition.
I’m not an artist, probably on the other side of the spectrum, but I try to appreciate art as best as my analytical mind can.
Thank you for sharing!
Juju
These are all gorgeous in different ways Kit. I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite.😊 Thanks so much for introducing us to these artists!
It is impossible for me to choose, too! They each give me a different feeling, and all of them are good. I love sharing the art of others.