UK Painter Renders Larger-Than-Life Lions, Titanic Tigers in Exquisitely Fine Detail on Giant Canvases

UK Painter Renders Larger-Than-Life Lions, Titanic Tigers in Exquisitely Fine Detail on Giant Canvases
Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
Anna Mason
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Disclaimer: This article was published in 2022. Some information may no longer be current.

British artist Julie Rhodes paints massive canvases that feature larger-than-life-size wild cats that are so realistic, the majestic beasts seem to be transported right into the room.

Through her ferocious feline paintings, Rhodes hopes to instill “the feeling of being stood in the presence of a lion or a tiger for a moment in time,” she told The Epoch Times. “I also hope they act as a reminder that we share our planet with them.”

It is through the use of scale that her work derives much of its impact and conveys an emotion or atmosphere to the viewer.

“With every painting I try to capture a little bit of ‘big cat energy,’” the 45-year-old creative says, going on to explain her focus on lions and tigers:

“I’ve always been an avid lover of animals and wildlife so it’s only natural that I paint what I’m passionate about.”

Acrylic painting of a lioness by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
Acrylic painting of a lioness by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
Recent acrylic painting of a male lion by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
Recent acrylic painting of a male lion by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
Pencil drawing of a lioness on Strathmore, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
Pencil drawing of a lioness on Strathmore, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes

Rhodes lives in the coastal region of Cornwall with her family, dog, and three cats, balancing parenthood with being a full-time artist. They enjoy the famous Cornish beaches and an outdoorsy lifestyle, spending summers surfing, snorkeling, and paddle boarding.

“The North Cornish Coast is also known for its beautiful light for painting,” Rhodes, who was practically born with a paintbrush in her hand, says.

“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t paint,” she said. “My mum always painted landscapes and encouraged me, and my late grandad would tell me stories of how he designed stained glass windows before the second world war. He loved to paint and was still painting well into his 80th year. I spent many happy hours painting at his kitchen table.”

When she was around 20, she began increasing the level of detail in her work and honing a realistic style. She took a course in art and graphic design, and began by drawing predominately in graphite pencil.

"As I Dream," pastel on board, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"As I Dream," pastel on board, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
"Equilibrium" (one part of a diptych), acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Equilibrium" (one part of a diptych), acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
Commission acrylic painting of a male lion by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
Commission acrylic painting of a male lion by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes

“Not many people know this but I drew the wild turkey that’s on the Wild Turkey Whiskey bottles,” she says. “Years of drawing really helped me with incorporating the same level of detail into my paintings. I still hold my brush like a pencil when I paint!”

After many years of drawing, she switched to acrylic painting.

Combining strong draughtsmanship with her brushwork allowed Rhodes to create such pieces as her close-up lioness work “Wisdom,” which expresses a sense of contemplation and closeness for people to connect with, and “Hush,” which depicts a sleeping tiger.

“I planned it during one of the pandemic lockdowns,” Rhodes said. “I think I wanted to create peace when the world was in turmoil.”

"Hush," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Hush," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
“Wisdom,” acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
“Wisdom,” acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes

Around nine or ten such works are produced each year in the artist’s studio. A single piece can take anywhere from 50 to 300 hours to complete. Working life-size and larger-than-life means Rhodes is able to incorporate a startling amount of detail. The completed paintings are exhibited in galleries and bought by collectors.

On rare occasions, due to the level of precision, some online viewers contest whether they are really paintings. In these cases, Rhodes directs their attention to her social media accounts that show the progression of her hand-painted works from start to finish.

Overall, she feels enormously blessed to do what she does.

“I feel so lucky to be able to combine my love of animals with my passion for art and I’m very honored to have collectors all over the world,” she says. “I paint from my heart and soul, and I hope some of that passion comes across in my artwork.”

"Serene," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Serene," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
"Blissful," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Blissful," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
"Elusive," pastel on board, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Elusive," pastel on board, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
“Wisdom,” acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
“Wisdom,” acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
"Side by Side," pastel on pastelmat, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Side by Side," pastel on pastelmat, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
"Equilibrium" (one part of a diptych), acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Equilibrium" (one part of a diptych), acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
"Early Dawn Light," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Early Dawn Light," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
"The Defender," pastel on pastelmat, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"The Defender," pastel on pastelmat, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
"Aslan," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Aslan," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
"Zuri," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.julierhodes.com/">Julie Rhodes</a>)
"Zuri," acrylic on canvas, by Julie Rhodes. Courtesy of Julie Rhodes
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Anna Mason
Anna Mason
Author
Anna Mason is a writer based in England. She majored in literature and specializes in human interest, travel, lifestyle and content marketing. Anna enjoys storytelling, adventures, the Balearic sunshine and the Yorkshire rain.
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