Photorealistic wildlife art is made by building up hundreds of individual layers of soft pastel pigment onto an archival board, working from field-referenced photography to recreate the texture, light, and character of each animal with lifelike accuracy.
At Fouché Studios, this process is carried out entirely by hand by Leon and Ingrid Fouché – from the first sighting in the field to the final stroke on the board.
What Is Soft Pastel, and Why Do Wildlife Artists Choose It?
Soft pastel is a drawing medium made from pure natural pigment powder bound with a minimal binder – no oils, no solvents, and no added chemicals. This composition is what makes it exceptional for wildlife portraiture. The powdery texture allows an artist to blend and layer tones in ways that replicate the subtle gradients in animal fur, the iridescence of feathers, and the depth of an eye.
Leon Fouché uses only the finest soft pastels on archival, pH-neutral pastel boards, paired with conservation-grade framing. Because the medium contains no chemicals that degrade over time, correctly framed soft pastel works will never fade, crack, or discolour. Museums around the world exhibit soft pastel drawings that remain vivid after hundreds of years – which is why serious collectors regard the medium as one of the most archivally stable in fine art.
Step One: The Field and the Photograph
Every Fouché Studios artwork begins in the field. Both Leon and Ingrid are active wildlife photographers, spending time in reserves across southern Africa – from the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger to Zimanga Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. This direct contact with their subjects is fundamental to the accuracy of the finished piece.
Rather than working from stock imagery, Leon and Ingrid photograph their own reference material. They study animal behaviour, lighting conditions, and the specific markings of individual animals – details that give their work its distinctive character. The Anderson leopard, for example, was documented by Leon over multiple sightings in the Sabi Sand before becoming the subject of a finished artwork.
Step Two: Composition and Preparation
Once a subject and reference photograph are selected, the composition is planned and transferred to the board. The choice of archival pastel board matters significantly: surface texture, tone, and pH stability all affect the longevity and appearance of the final work. Leon and Ingrid use only materials that meet conservation standards.
At this stage, the overall colour palette and tonal range of the piece are mapped out – decisions that will guide every subsequent layer.
Step Three: Building the Layers
The defining characteristic of photorealistic soft pastel work is the layering process. Broad background tones are applied first, then progressively refined through dozens – sometimes hundreds – of additional passes. Each layer is blended, fixed where necessary, and built upon.
Creating realistic fur, for instance, requires laying down base tones, building mid-tones, and then applying individual strokes for highlights and individual hairs. The same logic applies to feathers, skin texture, and eyes. There are no shortcuts: the hyperrealism that Fouché Studios is known for is the direct result of time invested in this iterative process. Large-format works can take weeks or months to complete.
Step Four: Detail Work and Final Review
In the final stages, fine detail is added with sharp pastel edges and occasional tools for precision work. Eyes – typically the focal point of any animal portrait – receive particular attention, as they carry the emotional weight of the piece.
Both Leon and Ingrid step back repeatedly during this phase to review the work as a whole, checking proportions, tonal balance, and the overall sense of life in the subject. A Fouché Studios original is only considered complete when the animal on the board feels present.
Step Five: Framing and Conservation
Completed works are framed using conservation-grade materials to ensure the pastel surface is protected from contact, moisture, and UV light. Correctly framed soft pastel originals do not require glass with anti-reflective coatings to be archivally sound, though UV-protective glazing is recommended for works displayed in bright natural light.
For collectors who cannot acquire an original, Fouché Studios produces archival giclée prints – high-resolution reproductions printed on fine art paper using pigment-based inks that carry the same commitment to longevity as the originals themselves.
How Long Does it Take to Create a Wildlife Art Piece?
The time required depends on the scale and complexity of the subject. Smaller works may be completed in one to two weeks of focused studio time. Large-format originals – some exceeding 250cm – can take several months. Commission timelines are discussed individually with each client based on the subject, size, and current studio workload.
What Makes Fouché Studios’ Process Distinctive?
Several elements set Fouché Studios apart from other wildlife artists working in soft pastel:
Leon and Ingrid photograph all of their own reference material in the field, giving them an intimate knowledge of each subject’s specific markings and personality. Both artists hold membership in the Society of Animal Artists – Leon as an Associate Member, and Ingrid as a Signature Member – one of the world’s most respected juried organisations for wildlife art. Their work is held in private and corporate collections across the globe, and in 2025 Leon’s drawing “Ghosts of the Glades” – a Florida panther – took first place in the All Animals competition run by the US-based publication Art & Color 365, out of more than 500 entries.
Conservation is also woven into the process itself. Both Leon and Ingrid regularly donate original artworks and proceeds to wildlife conservation projects, and their choice of archival materials reflects a long-term commitment to the survival of both the animals they depict and the works created in their honour.
Commission Your Own Piece
If you are interested in commissioning an original soft pastel wildlife artwork from Leon or Ingrid Fouché, contact Fouché Studios directly to discuss subject, size, and timeline. Giclée prints of selected works are also available to purchase online.