How to Paint a Tabby Cat

Learn how to paint an expressive cat face with watercolors!

This course is also available in The Art Academy.


Do you want to paint expressive cat portraits? Learn how to identify the shapes and colors in a cat's face to create a realistic portrait.

Do you want to improve your ability to paint black animal fur? Learn how to mix your own black, and use it to create highlights and shadows in an animal.

Do you want to learn how to layer watercolors to create rich and vibrant animal paintings? In this course you will learn a painting strategy with watercolors that you can use to create future animal portraits on your own!

Take my painting strategy and make it your own!


What You'll Learn

How to draw and paint a cat portrait:

You will learn how to use a reference photo to create your own realistic cat. You'll be able to identify the shapes, textures, and values in the photo to plan out a strategy for painting your composition with watercolors.

How to mix the color black:

Did you know the color black is the darkest value of all colors? This means black can be tinted in many different ways to match the exact shade and value of a color in a painting. In this course you will learn how to mix your own black paint, and how to create both warm and cool tones to make the shadows and highlights in your painting really pop! Black is a wonderful color to work with when you know how, and you will learn several different ways to use it in this course!

How to layer watercolors to create the texture of animal fur:

In this course I will teach you a strategy for building layers of paint from background to foreground, and light to dark to create a focal point in the cat's face. You will learn how to use two of my favorite techniques to paint the details of the fur on the cat's face, which is very different from the fur texture on the cat's body.

Who This Course Is For

  • Artists who want to develop their skills for painting detailed watercolors.
  • Artists who want to practice painting fur with watercolors.
  • Artists who enjoy painting animals or pets.
  • Artists who want to develop their ability to design their own original compositions, and watercolor strategies.


Want to hear more on what you can expect from this course?

Watch the 1st module below and find out!

Content Curriculum


  Introduction
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  Tools & Materials
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  Drawing the Composition
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  Whiskers
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  Painting the Body
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  Painting the Eyes
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  Painting the Face
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  Painting the Paw
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  Finishing Details
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  What I Learned from this Painting
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  Conclusion
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"Once again, Tracy has demonstrated her excellent teaching skills and knowledge of watercolor techniques. The course is broken down into sections. Tracy gives great detailed instruction every step of the way. She guides you through this course with step-by-step videos, always encouraging you to take her teaching and apply it in your own personal way.

It is a pleasure to learn from her, whether you are new to watercolor or a seasoned painter."

Thank you!

Deanna G.

How This Course Works


  • 🤗 After you sign up you will be redirected to the course curriculum.
  • ✍️ You get access to ALL the modules immediately! You also have forever access, and can go through each lesson, and watch each video as many times as you want.


"Tracy, I would never have received the comprehensive background in all things watercolor without your course. It was exactly what I was missing in my efforts to paint. Understanding techniques, paper, and working through the many practice exercises was so helpful.

I am very impressed with the feedback you provide and appreciate that you are there to answer questions as we go along in the course. I look forward to applying all I have learned to create art in my own style."

Most sincerely,

Cheryl Hoyer

"Hi Tracy,

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this course.

I liked your teaching style when I did the ‘Chickadee’ course and decided to join the Academy because it gave me access to all courses…. and what a huge amount of choice there is. I find your enthusiasm, teaching and feedback really helpful. Looking forward do deciding what next project to do!

Hmmmm decisions decisions.

So far also I have found the Academy really friendly and constructive and a place where you can learn and swap tips with others."

Best Wishes Fiona

Your Instructor


Tracy Lizotte
Tracy Lizotte

Hi, I'm Tracy!

I'm a watercolor artist from Southern Maine, United States.

I have a passion for painting with watercolors, and teaching others the traditional fine art techniques that have been passed down to me.

I'm here to help you develop your own unique style, while learning how to draw, paint, and sell your art!

Want to learn more about me, and my journey to becoming a professional artist? Check out my About Page.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
You get full access to all the lessons in the course upon checkout. This is a self-paced online course, which means you decide when you start and when you finish. You will also be able to watch and re-watch the lessons as many times as you want!
How long do I have access to the course?
You get lifetime access. Hooray! After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What supplies will I need?
You will need a pencil, eraser, watercolor paints, watercolor paper, 2-3 round brushes (size 8, and 2), paper towels, and a jar of water. I also use masking fluid, but that is completely optional to use in your own painting. Hopefully you will be able to use what supplies you have on hand, and not have to go out and buy any. I explain a list of suggested materials, and how to use them in the course, but there is no need to get any unless you want to. You also get a downloadable PDF materials list to use as a reference guide.

Learn the techniques and painting strategy in this course, and use them to create other paintings of animals!

Get started now!