Stunning artworks by some of the best animal bodypainters

These 54 stunning artworks by 10 of the best animal bodypainters in the world show the true art of optical illusion at the highest technical level.

The melding of intricate detail, deft touches and sparkling color create the perfect ambiance for animal kingdom scenes.

But look closer. Beneath those layers of body paint is a set of incredible optical illusions, featuring humans morphed into animals.

Animal body painting is amazing. Like solving a puzzle, these masterpieces require deep observation and attention, before you eventually spot a woman's hand here, a foot there and an arching back.

After seeing these images, you will never look at animal body art and paintings the same way again.

Images 1-3 Created by Trina Merry

Website: https://www.trinamerry.com/

Dallas-based artist Trina Merry is a world champion body painter (2014) known for her creative ideas and stunning execution. With a lengthy roll of honor including performing and exhibiting at the Whitney Biennial, San Jose Museum of Art, Attleboro Arts Museum and Museo De Bardini (Florence), Merry has used body art to explore important societal issues such as femininity, body positivity and consumerism.

The following animal body paintings are part of her breathtaking astrology series where she created the 12 signs of the zodiac. A must see!

Painting 1: This yellow and black Scorpio crawls into position

Painting 2: The facial expressions of the ram are captured exquisitely.

Painting 3: Several naked models huddle together to create this vibrant lion face.

Images 4-10: Created by Gesine Marwedel

Website: https://www.gesine-marwedel.de/english/gallery/

Famed for using sharply contrasting colors in her works, German body paint artist Gesine Marwedel is an expert in creating birds, animals and other objects using the bodies of models. A former art/creative therapist, she explores the deeper meanings and consequences of body paint art. Her works seek to create a therapeutic impact on the viewer. Marwedel has won numerous awards for her work including the winner of the World Bodypainting Festival 2017 and Art Prize Revier Art 2018.

Painting 4: A man and woman softly embrace to provide the background for a lively bird spreading its wings.

Painting 5: Chameleon Body Paint: The fluorescent green and yellow reptile curls into position around a branch at night.

Painting 6: Swan Duo: One swan elegantly rests in its nest, while its peer stands upright shouting in the dark.

Painting 7: A bluebird rests calmly on a branch assessing its surroundings.

Painting 8: An inquisitive iguana rising up among the tree branches.

Painting 9: A meandering red portraits crawls behind a fallen tree log.

Painting 10: The model expertly bends her body to represent a multicolored bird nesting in comfort.

Images 11-16 by Johannes Stoetter

Website: https://www.johannesstoetterart.com/

Starting his body painting journey in 2000, artist Johannes Stoetter is world-renowned for his ability to transform living models into animals, fruits and flowers.

A previous winner of the World Bodypainting Championship, Stoetter’s unique visual illusions have appeared in artistic and commercial pursuits, including high-profile exhibitions, photo shoots and music videos.

Through animal bodypainting, Stoetter explores the deep connection between humans, animals and nature, including how they coexist together. He uses the ephemeral nature of bodypainting to build a more intense impact on the viewer.

Painting 11: Lifelike tropical tree frog spreads symmetrically across a green leaf.

Painting 12: A large parrot stands masterfully to attention on top of a tree stump.

Painting 13: A owl woman and owl bird pose side-by-side.

Painting 14: Incredible snake body painting and model are entangled making it almost impossible to tell where the person’s body ends and the snake begins.

Painting 15: Angelfish Body Paint: The human body laid back and to represent the glowing Angelfish floating through the waters.

Painting 16: Two models painted in green scales unite to resemble a real moving chameleon.

Images 17-22 by Emma Fay

Website: https://emma-fay.co.uk/

British-based body painter Emma Fay works with contortionists, combining their extraordinary flexibility with her elite painting skills to create exotic animals.

Her Marvels of Nature series saw Fay create a variety of striking creatures from the human form such as tarantula, zebra, mandrill, seahorse and giraffes. Fay’s style is recognizable for its clean and tidy approach, with the background colored white.

Her work depicts the extraordinary ways animals have evolved to survive in their environment for centuries and provides an opportunity to admire each animal’s individual charm.

Painting 17: The slim, elongated giraffe figure is drawn across two models’ bodies.

Painting 18: A rainbow of bright color is present on this seahorse.

Painting 19: A gigantic tarantula looks menacingly at the camera

Painting 20: Black and white striped model adopts the handstand position to create a stunning zebra body paint illusion.

Painting 21: The artist literally turns a model inside out to form the rare west African mandrill.

Painting 22: The deep layering of orange, red and black paint produces a shiny, glaring crab that’s ready to move.

Images 23 – 29 Guido Daniele

Website: http://www.guidodaniele.com/

Regarded as the ‘King of Handimals’, Italian artist Guido Daniele specializes in creating incredible hand animals.

With models’ hands and fingers contorted in unusual positions, Daniele paints incredibly realistic portraits and scenes of living animals. His accuracy can make distinguishing the hand animals from real creatures exceedingly difficult.

His animal body art reflects his commitment to wildlife protection and involvement with causes such as WWF and Dolphin Aid.

Painting 23: With expert positioning and grip of the model’s hand, the Bald Eagle is drawn with remarkable emotion and detail.

Painting 24: The thick slippery layers of brown and orange decorate this slivering Royal Python bodypainting.

Painting 25: Two large hands cross to form a sprawling Bald Eagle flying.

Painting 26: The very subtle flick of the wrist combined with well-blended white, black and orange tones make for a very convincing Royal Swan.

Painting 27: A stocky raccoon looks innocently towards to the viewer.

Painting 28: Several hands form a Elk face and antlers, as the animal peers over the long grass.

Painting 29: Hen prepares for its daily crow in the morning.

Images 30- 34 by Kate Spinks Dean

Website: https://katespinksdean.wordpress.com/

With more than a decade in the niche, Kate Dean "Spinks"’ bodypainting has made waves in the UK and US by encouraging viewers to experience an existential reflection on the collective human experience.

Based in Somerset, UK, Spinks launched her art collection "Life in Flight", which represented the different stages of life through images of birds – made from human body paint.

Spinks’ body-painting is a sharp reminder of the key moments of life, as well as the human compassion that binds us.

Painting 30: A flying stork carries a newborn baby.

Painting 31: Three baby chicks are ready for feeding time.

Painting 32: Representing romance and relationships, two lovebirds perch together on a branch.

Painting 33: Two hands join to show multicolored parrot taking flight.

Painting 34: Beautiful green and yellow feathers adorn the fan of this peacock

Images 35-38 by Wiser Oner

Website: http://www.wiseroner.com/

Bringing the raw street edge to his animal paintings, Wiser Oner often paints entire nature scenes on the body of models, telling the story of the respective creatures.

An accomplished graffiti and body paint artist, Oner reportedly began body painting in 2006 and offers a uniquely bold and edgy style. He has worked for many well-known clients including NBC, TruTv (Full Throttle Saloon), Clear Channel and Playboy and was on the TV show “Naked Vegas”.

Painting 35: Two pretty butterflies nest in the bush leaves.

Painting 36: The model’s body is split diagonally across her body to depict sea bed and its accompanying creatures.

Painting 37: Two body paint frogs curiously hop through the forest.

Painting 38: A fiery parrot flies through the glowing sky

Image 39-44 by Craig Tracy

Website: http://craigtracy.com/

Inspired by the flamboyant culture of his hometown New Orleans, Craig Tracy has produced mesmerizing animal images using human bodies as his canvases since 2001. A “body-painting guru” on the popular reality series Skin Wars, Tracy’s most famous work was his ‘The Nature Series’, and he also has the honor of winning the highly-prized World Body Painting Festival. Tracy uses composition and complex model body poses to construct his animal creations, which are often captured through photography.

Painting 39: The backs of three female models unite to create this fiery South China Tiger body paint.

Painting 40: The artist depicts a racing cheetah body painted on to the model’s white frame.

Painting 41: Resting on the models lower back, the face of a body paint lion stares blankly into the distance.

Painting 42: A psychedelic image of a gecko wriggling through its natural habitat.

Painting 43: An imposing elephant strides across the ashy turf.

Painting 44: The frontal of the model is decked in alluring black and white stripes with a butterfly fluttering at its center.

Images 45-47 by Lennette Newell

Website: https://www.lennettenewell.com/

San Francisco-based photographer has built a tremendous reputation for creating mesmerizing photos combining humans, body paint and animals. Creating an enchanting story, the Lennette Newell Ani-Human series sees humans painted in the same colors and patterns as jungle animals, as well as standing next to them. The art shows a peaceful coexistence between the human and wildlife.

Painting 45: A woman leans gracefully alongside a giant elephant.

Painting 46: A model decorated in sleek orange fur and black spots attempts to lick a pensive cheetah.

Painting 47: Scaled from top to bottom. A snake wraps around the model.

Painting 48: The model leans back, blending into the body of a menacing panther.

Painting 49: A human baboon looks relaxed sitting next to a real baboon.

Images 50-54 by Shannon Holt

Website: https://www.shannonholtart.com/

A vegan, fine-art body painter Shannon Holt created the Florida Wildlife Series, a hyper-realistic visual encyclopedia of the diverse creatures in her home state. Known for her appearance on reality TV series Skin Wars, Holt’s animal body art focuses on creatures such as local foxes, owls and other interesting mammals. Holt’s works reflect the transient beauty and nature of both art and life, where beautiful experiences can be made and then washed away in a flash.