Volume 15 Issue 05, May 2025
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205
THE ANIMALISTIC GENRE AND THE ADVANTAGES OF USING
WATERCOLOURS TO CREATE COLORING PAGES
Teacher
Sh. B. Oydinov
Uzbek-Finnish Pedagogical Institute
Abstract:
This scientific article provides an overview of the advanced development of
animalistic imagery in our homeland. It also highlights the benefits of using watercolour paints
for this type of painting and the importance of using the right materials and tools. The article also
covers the initial stages of teaching drawing techniques and how to overcome problems that arise
during the process.
Keywords:
Fine arts, animal genre, colouring, painting, murals, ancient times, hunting weapons,
animals, watercolour, miniatures, simple pencils, drawing materials, lines and shapes, education,
upbringing, beauty.
The fine arts inspire people with beauty and encourage them to be good. Today, our state is
paying great attention to developing the fine arts. The president's five important initiatives to
raise the spirituality of young people and organise their free time meaningfully, as well as the
president of the Republic of Uzbekistan's resolution on measures to further increase the
efficiency of fine and applied arts, are a vivid example of this. In our country, it is important to
provide young people who wish to master the secrets of the fine arts with sufficient theoretical
and practical knowledge of the animalistic genre. We know that the fine arts have been
developing since ancient times in the history of our ancestors. After all, even the earliest humans
sought to convey their thoughts, relationships and desires to each other through lines and shapes.
For instance, they expressed their desire to go hunting by drawing hunting weapons and the
animals they wanted to hunt.
The types and genres of fine art have evolved over many years through the work of artists. The
animalistic genre, which emerged later, is also a form of fine art. "The animal genre is a form of
fine art that depicts figurative images. It mainly depicts various animals and birds, as well as
their movements and life events.” Animalistic images are depicted in various types of fine art,
including graphics, painting, sculpture and decorative folk art.
In Uzbekistan, animalistic imagery has been developed and refined over many years. Thanks to
the work of archaeologists and art historians, dozens of images dating back to the era of
primitive communities have been discovered. The oldest of these are primitive images such as
those found at Zaravutsay and Sarmyshsay. These images depict various hunting scenes. These
scenes help us to imagine the lives of ancient people. Since hunting was the main occupation of
primitive people, hunting scenes feature prominently in their art. Another ancient image is the
'Sarmishsay' images in the Zarafshan foothills, which reflect the creativity of primitive artists.
On the rocks of Sarmishsay, there are depictions of wild bulls, deer and hares with their horns
tangled around them, as well as mountain goats, deer, boars, wolves, leopards, dogs and wild and
domestic animals fighting each other. There are also hunters and hunting scenes. From this
evidence, it is clear that images of the animal kingdom occupied a special place in the lives of
Volume 15 Issue 05, May 2025
Impact factor: 2019: 4.679 2020: 5.015 2021: 5.436, 2022: 5.242, 2023:
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our ancestors.
We can see examples of the animalistic genre in the murals and fine art from the ancient site of
Afrosiab in Samarkand. The room in which these murals are painted is a hotel. "In general, the
walls depict wedding trips, bathing in the river, receiving ambassadors, hunting and so on. In the
painting depicting the wedding procession, the princess rides a white elephant while the king and
groom ride a straw horse. The image of white birds in the landscape above adds artistic
significance to the mural. The birds' movements in the painting are so harmonious that the
landscape seems to resonate with a unique musical melody. The images of the various birds and
animals depicted in the paintings are anatomically accurate. This indicates the artist’s skill.
Following the introduction of Islam to our homeland, specific changes occurred in fine art.
According to written sources, there were restrictions on depicting living beings in artists' works
for some time. When it comes to the topic of Islam and fine arts, another important aspect of the
issue is that one cannot fully agree with the view that it is precisely the Islamic religion and the
Holy Quran that prohibit works of fine art entirely. History shows that, due to the actions of
some Sharia leaders who did not fully understand Islamic teachings, extreme views and even
barbaric acts arose regarding fine arts. For this reason, the depiction of living beings decreased
during this period and practical art developed instead.
In the 11th and 12th centuries, artists used patterns depicting plants, animals and birds, as well as
various geometric shapes, in their works. It is known that the walls of the palaces, houses and
hotels of rulers and wealthy nobles were decorated with paintings at that time. These paintings
depicted scenes of battles, hunting, receptions and feasts.
By the 14th and 15th centuries, images of animals and birds were mainly found in miniature
works. In later periods, fine and applied arts were combined in architecture to create magnificent
mural paintings featuring living creatures. One example is the composition featuring a lion and a
deer in the Sherdor mausoleum of the Registan ensemble in Samarkand. These fine artworks
have captivated people for centuries.
Those who want to learn to draw animals will achieve good results if they first do lots of simple
pencil sketches. When it comes to painting, working with colouring pages will be very helpful.
Colouring pages are small pages that artists use to create works based on events in life or directly
from nature. Colouring pages are an excellent tool for studying painting. Of the types of fine art,
painting has its own unique aspects. It reflects real life and affects the thoughts and feelings of
the viewer. The history of painting begins with the drawings that primitive man created on cave
walls. In Uzbekistan, examples of colouring created by our ancestors have captivated people for
centuries. The oldest of these are primitive images, such as those found at Zaravutsay and
Sarmishsay. These images depict various hunting scenes. "Painting is primarily done with paints
on fabrics, walls, and other surfaces. When the content, character and other properties of an
image are expressed through paint, this is called painting.” Alongside studying the theory of
painting, it is important to understand its practical application. To study painting perfectly, it is
useful to use colouring pages. Making a habit of regularly working with short-term colouring
pages helps one to seriously study painting.
Depicting various animals, birds and other living creatures is a difficult process in itself. This is
because many of them are highly mobile and cannot be forced to remain in one position. In such
cases, models are used to learn how to draw. Studying the structure and anatomy of living
animals and birds through models is helpful. It is also important to study the lifestyle of the
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animal you are drawing. Studying their anatomy in depth and making a series of sketches using
their skeletons is also very useful. Failure to adhere to this knowledge will lead to problems and
difficulties in the drawing process. It should be noted that the drawing, construction and structure
of a fox, dog and wolf are very similar. When an inexperienced student draws a dog, for example,
it often resembles a fox. Similarly, when drawing a wolf, it often resembles a dog. Therefore, it
is important to learn how to distinguish the differences between foxes, cats, dogs and wolves.
When analysing shapes, for example when drawing a dog, it is necessary to remember the
distinguishing features of a fox or wolf, and vice versa. After practising drawing outlines of birds
and animals and gaining experience, it is appropriate to move on to sketching from nature.
There are certain advantages to using watercolours for animal subjects. First of all, it is important
to use the materials and tools appropriately. Before starting work, it is important to ensure that
the paper is sufficiently durable and white. Choose a durable paper that does not crumble or get
dirty when erasing lines. It is even better if the paper has a rough surface.
When drawing with a pencil, ordinary pencils of varying hardness are often used. When working
on colouring pages, it is best to draw without pressing the pencil down too hard.
When erasing, it is better to use a soft eraser. These erase pencil marks without damaging the
paper. When erasing unnecessary lines, you should get used to not pressing the eraser hard and
using it as little as possible.
Brushes are needed for painting. Watercolours use soft-bristle brushes. These brushes are made
from the fur of animals such as raccoons and rabbits.
Watercolour paint differs from other paints in that it is elegant and transparent, bright and
harmonious. Once the first layer of watercolour paint has dried on the paper, a second layer can
be applied. This process can be repeated as required. When applying colour to the paper, ensure
the brush is sufficiently wet. Otherwise, rubbing the brush will cause the paper to crack, which
violates the technique of watercolour painting. One feature of watercolour paint is that when a
different colour is applied over an existing colour, the original colour remains visible to some
extent and a new, unique colour is formed through mixing. Watercolour offers great possibilities
for painting and a wide range of media can be used.
In painting classes, students are set colouring pages as homework. However, some students think
that working with colouring pages is not important for becoming a good drawer. They also
believe that the long-term projects worked on in practical classes are sufficient for mastering
drawing. This is definitely a mistake. If the student does not complete the colouring pages on
time, they cannot achieve positive results when working on long-term colouring pages.
Consequently, they encounter problems and difficulties when working on them. In her textbook
'Methodology of Creating and Depicting Still Lifes', experienced teacher Barno Azimova writes:
'Before each long-term project, it is necessary to complete a smaller colouring page that can be
finished quickly. Such a colouring page will help you find a format that suits the composition
and general colour of the still life.' This suggests that regular colouring pages will enhance the
colouring abilities, knowledge, skills and competencies of future artist-teachers. The more time
they devote to their colouring pages, the more polished and lively they will become.
Familiarising oneself with works of fine art and studying the secrets of depiction helps to foster
feelings of beauty, kindness and love for nature and one's homeland. It also fosters an interest in
history, makes young people patient and resilient, and helps them to develop work skills and a
sense of identity.
Volume 15 Issue 05, May 2025
Impact factor: 2019: 4.679 2020: 5.015 2021: 5.436, 2022: 5.242, 2023:
6.995, 2024 7.75
http://www.internationaljournal.co.in/index.php/jasass
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This article provides general information about the development of animalistic images in our
homeland and highlights the advantages of using watercolours to colour in pictures. It also
emphasises the importance of using the right materials and tools for the job. We hope that the
information presented in the article will be useful to anyone interested in the visual arts.
Literature used:
1. N. Oydinov, Fragments from the History of the Fine Arts of Uzbekistan. T.: "Teacher", 1997.
2. A. Muhammadjonov, 'Ancient Bukhara'. Ancient Bukhara. T.: Fan Publishing House, 1991.
3. R. Hasanov, Fundamentals of Fine Arts. T.: G. Gulom Publishing House-Creative House.
2009.
4. Oydinov N., 'Problems of training artist-teachers'. T.: "Teacher"-"Ziyo-noshir", 1997.
5. A. Kalonov. Drafts and Sketches. T.: Tafakkur Publishing House, 2013.
6. B. Azimova: Methodology of Creating and Working with Still Lifes. T.: O'qituv Publishing
House, 1984.
7. S. U'rolov, The Art of Creating a Miracle. T.: Mehnat, 1996.
8. S. Abdirasilov and N. Tolipov: Painting. T.: Bilim Publishing House, 2005.
