If you’re looking for watercolor animal painting ideas and inspiration, I’ve got you covered. You’ll love these gorgeous watercolor animals.
Below, you’ll find an inspiring variety of animal watercolor paintings. From beginner-friendly to advanced, you’re sure to find a painting for your skill level. I’m sharing rabbit references, chicken painting references, bird paintings, and more.
If you’re looking for even more inspiration, consider painting the animals you see around you. You can paint your family pet, the birds outside, and so much more.
*I earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
1. Cat Wearing Clothes Watercolor Painting
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (1) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (1)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/watercolor-animals-cute-3.jpg)
Try painting a cat wearing a striped shirt, a cardigan with a star design, and a scarf. Not only will you get to practice painting details like stars and stars, but you’ll also have fun bringing this cute and quirky character to life on paper.
2. Snake on a Hand with Flowers
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (2) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (2)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-15.jpg)
This creative painting features a hand with a snake wrapped around it. The color palette was a great choice for this art piece.
3. Watercolor Rabbit
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (3) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (3)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-16.jpg)
I love the art style used for this watercolor rabbit painting. The paint splatters help make this painting stand out.
4. Farm Animals
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (4) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (4)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-17.jpg)
Practice your skills by drawing and painting small doodles like these. The more you practice, the better you will get.
5. Rabbit Faces and Flowers
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (5) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (5)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-18.jpg)
This painting shows a rabbit’s head drawn from different angles. This is a great way to improve your skills when painting realistic animals.
6. Watercolor Monkey Painting
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (6) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (6)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/watercolor-animals-cute-2.jpg)
If you’re tired of painting the same old landscapes and still lifes, switch it up and try a watercolor monkey painting. Not only is it a fun subject, but monkeys have such expressive faces and movements that you’ll have a blast capturing them on paper.
7. Watercolor Fox in Snow
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (7) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (7)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-19.jpg)
If you’re looking for gift ideas, a handmade painting like this would make a great gift for friends and family.
8. Watercolor Chicken
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (8) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (8)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-20.jpg)
I love the watercolor style that was used to paint this chicken. Check out the artist to see more art pieces like this one.
9. Cute Finch
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (9) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (9)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-21.jpg)
Here’s a simple and realistic painting of a bird. The texture of the birds feathers was done so well here.
10. Owl with Flowers
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (10) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (10)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-22.jpg)
I love this cute owl painting. A design look this would look great on a handmade greeting card.
11. Watercolor Hare
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (11) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (11)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-23.jpg)
This painting uses the loose painting technique. Aloose paintingcommunicates visually with suggestions rather than trying to describe everything in precise detail.
12. Squirrel with a Nut
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (12) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (12)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/watercolor-animals-cute-1.jpg)
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always found squirrels to be incredibly adorable. So imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon a watercolor painting tutorial featuring a squirrel with a nut. Not only is this idea absolutely adorable, but it also seems like the perfect project to challenge my watercolor skills.
13. Chicken Doodles
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (13) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (13)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-chickens-1.jpg)
If you’re looking for a reference you can paint while relaxing and not worrying too much about the details, these chicken doodles make a great reference.
14. Mom and Baby Giraffe
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (14) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (14)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-5-1.jpg)
This cute mother and baby giraffe painting would make a great gift for Mother’s Day when painted on canvas.
15. Lion with Crown
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (15) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (15)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/watercolor-painting-tutorials-20.jpg)
I love this cute yellow lion with a crown. If you find step-by-step tutorials to be helpful, you’ll love recreating this lion. Check out the Instagram post to see the colors used for this painting.
16. Flower Power
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (16) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (16)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-4-1.jpg)
Be inspired by these four animal paintings featuring a bunny rabbit, a duck, a mouse, and a cute cat wearing a floral crown.
17. Cute Sea Otter Painting
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (17) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (17)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/watercolor-animals-cute-4.jpg)
These little creatures are just too adorable and will make a great addition to your art collection. When it comes to painting your sea otter, have fun with the colors and experiment with various techniques.
18. Monarch Butterfly
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (18) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (18)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-1.jpg)
I love paintings that feature flowers and butterflies. If you do as well, I know you’ll love this painting.
19. Watercolor Whales
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (19) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (19)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-2.jpg)
If you love watercolor art inspired by nature, make sure you check out more of Lauren’s work using the link below.
20. Fox Painting
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (20) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (20)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-6.jpg)
This fox painting makes a great reference for those who are new to watercolor. You can swap out the pink for your favorite color.
21. Watercolor Sea Turtle
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (21) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (21)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/watercolor-animals-cute-5.jpg)
These prehistoric creatures make for a great subject in watercolor, with their intricate patterns and vibrant colors inspired by nature. You can choose to make your sea turtle as realistic or abstract as you like.
22. Cute Sailor Bear
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (22) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (22)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-7.jpg)
If you love this bear painting, I highly recommend checking out the artist to see more. They have a fun and unique art style.
23. Rainforest Animals
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (23) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (23)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-8.jpg)
This painting has a gorgeous rainforest theme. Not only is the drawing great, but the colors go perfectly together.
24. Floral Hedgehog
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (24) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (24)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-9.jpg)
This hedgehog is really strutting its stuff in this painting. I love how the artist used flowers for the body.
25. Mouse with Flower Crown
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (25) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (25)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-11.jpg)
This cute mouse painting looks amazing. I love the detail that was used here. Unfortunately, the artist’s Instagram account is no longer active, so I’m unable to share their page.
26. Giraffe with Bubble Gum
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (26) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (26)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/watercolor-animals-cute-6.jpg)
When it comes to watercolor painting ideas, a giraffe with bubble gum is as playful as it gets. To make your painting your own, use this as a reference and be sure to add your own interpretation.
27. Woodland Animals
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (27) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (27)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-12.jpg)
Aren’t these woodland forest animals the cutest? Check out
BTL Art Studio to purchase stickers from the artist.
28. How to Draw a Cat
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (28) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (28)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-13.jpg)
The artist has created a four-step visual of how they went about painting this cute little kitty. They really did a great job with this.
29. Orange and Blue Snake
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (29) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (29)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/watercolor-animal-paintings-14.jpg)
Seeing this painting up close shows you how simple it can be to paint snakes. The artist behind this painting has an Etsy shop I recommend checking out.
30. How to Paint an Owl
![30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (30) 30 Watercolor Animal Painting Ideas - Beautiful Dawn Designs (30)](https://i0.wp.com/beautifuldawndesigns.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/watercolor-step-by-step-12.jpg)
Learn how to paint an owl with this simple step-by-step tutorial. Once you’ve learned how to paint the owl, you can add additional elements to your painting like flowers.
Taking on watercolor painting is a fun and creative hobby. Adding animals to the mix can be especially rewarding. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-follow project or something a little more complex, these thirty watercolor animal painting ideas are sure to give you plenty of inspiration.
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