You will struggle to identify the humans in these animal paintings. That's a guarantee!

These 54 inspirational 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. 

Look closer. Beneath those layers of body paint is a set of incredible optical illusions that feature humans morphed into animals. 

Animal body painting is impressive! Like solving a puzzle, these masterpieces require profound 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/ 

Trina Merry is a world champion body painter based in Dallas that delivers creative ideas in unique and stunning ways. Her works have been exhibited and performed at the Whitney Biennial, San Jose Museum of Art, Attleboro Arts Museum, and Museo De Bardini in Florence. 

Merry uses body art to explore critical societal issues like femininity, body positivity, and consumerism.

The following animal body paintings are part of her astrology series that examines the 12 Zodiac signs.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 1: This incredible Scorpio crawls into position with stunning yellow hues and contrasting black stripes.

Animal Body Painting Image No.. 2: The facial expressions of this contemplative Ram are exquisitely captured for the world to see.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 3: Several models came together to create this incredible representation of Leo featured on the “Moaning of Life” (Netflix)

Images 4-10: Created by Gesine Marwedel 

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

German bodypaint artist Gesine Marwedel uses sharp contrasts and bold colors in her designs to create birds, animals, and other objects. Her vibrant images explore the deeper meanings of each visual component while looking to develop a therapeutic impact.

Marwedel approaches this perspective from her work as a former art and creative therapist. Her work has won numerous awards, including winning the Art Prize Revier Art in 2018 and the World Bodypainting Festival in 2017.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 4: Two people softly embrace to provide the background for this beautiful hummingbird spreading its wings in flight.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 5: The fluorescent greens and yellows in this incredible chameleon stand out with fantastic realism as it curls around a branch in the evening hours.  

Animal Body Painting Image No. 6: This pair of swans seem to be enjoying a quiet moment together in the evening. What could they be talking about here?

Animal Body Painting Image No.. 7: A bluebird appears to be ready to break into song with this breathtaking piece, assessing its surroundings to see if the acoustic profile of the evening is prepared for its melody. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 8: This inquisitive iguana appears to be rising from the tree branches, looking to see what commotion is out there that’s so disruptive.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 9: A meandering red panda crawls out from its resting place behind a fallen tree log, curious as to what the day will bring. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 10: This bodypaint model expertly bends her body to create the representation of a multicolored bird nesting comfortably under a starless sky. 

Images 11-16 by Johannes Stoetter 

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

Professional bodypaint artist Johannes Stotter prides himself on being a master of illusions. Using five models to create a tropical frog in 2013, the image went viral to take his career to the next level. It now serves as the inspiration for his logo. 
Stotter has won numerous awards and received many accolades over his career, but he sticks to a quiet routine. His home is in a small town in the Alps of Northern Italy. His goal is to maintain a deeper connection with nature, where much of his inspiration lies. 

He focuses on several different categories with his work, including illusions, animals, trees, and landscapes. Each piece takes the ephemeral nature of bodypainting to build an intense impact on each viewer.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 11: This lifelike tropical tree frog sits on a green leaf, represented by five different models to create the pose.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 12: A large parrot seems curious to hear what you’re about to say while sitting on top of a tree stump.

Animal Body Painting Image No.13: This model was posed by a real owl to demonstrate the artistic craftsmanship and skill of the artist.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 14: The stunning patterns and scales placed on the model make it nearly impossible to see where the person ends and the snake begins.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 15: In this image, you can see the model lying on their back to represent an angelfish as it floats through the water.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 16: This creative take on a chameleon shows two models with painted scales to deliver authentic shape and movement for the piece.

Images 17-22 by Emma Fay 

Website: https://emma-fay.co.uk/   

Based in the UK, bodypainter Emma Fay creates incredible displays because her models are contortionists. That extra flexibility allows her to explore this genre in ways that aren't available to other artists.

One of her best series is called Marvels of Nature. She paints striking creatures on the models, ranging from seahorses to tarantula. You can recognize her style with the white background and clean lines.

The following images will help you get to know her work more intimately. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 17: This giraffe is ready to explore the savannah with the help of this contortionists skills.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 18: The rainbow of light is what captures your attention first in this piece. Are you ready to float along in the ocean with this seahorse? 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 19: As menacing as this tarantula looks, no one will take it on in a game of “limbo”. How low could you go?

Animal Body Painting Image No. 20: By creating the striped appearance on the model while incorporating unique positioning, several illusions become available to offer realism in this image. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 21: The artist takes advantage of this model’s flexibility to show the stunning colors of a rare West African Mandrill. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 22: Layers of orange, red, and black paint create a glaring crab that seems to be contemplating an escape to the beach. 

Images 23 – 29 Guido Daniele 

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

Italian artist Guido Daniele specializes in creating incredible hand animals. He’s often regarded as being the “King of the Handimals.” 

With the hands and fingers of each model contorted in unusual positions, Daniele paints 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.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 23: A bald eagle stares judgmentally at the viewer through the expert positioning and grip of the model’s hand. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 24: The way that the light plays off the scales in this piece gives even more realism to the python. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 25: Another bald eagle is depicted by the artist, this time coming in for a landing. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 26: This swan seems to have a question to ask. The blended orange, black, and white tones create a convincing portrait. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 27: Is this raccoon using its eyes to beg for food? Or perhaps it has some mischief in mind with this beautiful artistry. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 28: Several hands form the long grass, elk face, and antlers in this incredible image. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 29: This hen seems to be asking for her morning meal. It’s difficult to see where the model’s hands even are in this work because of its hyper-realism. 

Images 30- 34 by Kate Spinks Dean

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

Based in Somerset, UK, Spinks launched her art collection called Life in Flight to represent the different stages of life through images of birds. Each piece is created rom human body paint.  

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

Her artistry is a sharp reminder of the key moments of life that come our way each day, as well as the human compassion that binds us. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 30: This image shows how a flying stork carries a newborn baby, with a model even serving as the knapsack.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 31: Human hands serve as the models for three young chicks who are ready to get a meal from one of their parents.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 32: These two lovebirds appear to be perched on a branch, providing the representation of being in a committed relationship. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 33: Two hands join to show a multicolored parrot taking flight. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 34: The incredible green and yellow feathers of this peacock provide bold colors for the viewer to enjoy.

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 bodypaint artist, Oner reportedly began body painting in 2006 and offered a uniquely bold and edgy style. He has worked for many well-known clients, including NBC, TruTv, Clear Channel, and Playboy.

Oner’s work has also been seen on the TV show Naked Vegas. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 35: The artist creates a pretty butterfly nesting in the leaves of a shady bush. When the model opens her eyes, an entirely different image is created for the viewer.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 36: By splitting the bodypaint diagonally across the model’s body, the viewer can spot a seabed with underwater life. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 37: With this piece, you can spot two frogs curiously hopping through the forest.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 38: This incredible parrot not only seems to be coming in for a landing, but the artist has made it look like the model’s hand will serve as the roost. 

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. He is a body-painting judge on the popular reality series Skin Wars. 

Tracy’s most famous work was his Nature Series, and he also has the honor of winning the highly-prized World Body Painting Festival. The artist uses composition and complex model body poses to construct his animal creations, which are often captured through photography. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 39: Using the backs of three models allows the artist to create a beautiful South China Tiger with his bodypainting skills.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 40: By using white bodypaint as the background for this image, the artist fades into the background so that the viewer can see the realism of the racing cheetah. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 41: This lion seems to be staring at something off in the distance.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 42: With the model painted to match the background, viewers can see a gecko out exploring its natural habitat.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 43: A mother elephant and her child are taking a walk with a purposeful stride.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 44: To make the butterfly stand out in this image, the artist uses an all-white shape on a striped background.

Images 45-47 by Lennette Newell 

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

Lennette Newell is a San Francisco-based photographer that has built a tremendous reputation for creating mesmerizing photos combining humans, body paint, and animals. Creating an enchanting story, here Ani-Human series sees humans painted in the same colors and patterns as jungle animals while standing next to them. 

The art shows a peaceful coexistence between humanity and wildlife. 

Newell also takes standard black-and-white portraits of animals, creates NFTs and digital landscapes, and merges the worlds of humans and animals in unique ways.

Her images show that it is possible to have a peaceful coexistence with the other forms of life in our world. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 45: In this image, you can spot the model leaning gracefully against an elephant. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 46: This model appears to be part of the pack, with the beautiful spotting pattern looking natural next to the real cheetah. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 47: In this image, you can see a snake wrapping around the model, with the scales moving from the top of the image to the bottom.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 48: As the model leans back in this image, she blends gracefully into the body of the pensive panther.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 49: The model and the baboon share a similar pose, looking relaxed in a formal photography setting.

Images 50-54 by Shannon Holt

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

A vegan, fine-art body painter, Shannon Holt created the Florida Wildlife Series. It is a hyper-realistic visual encyclopedia of the diverse creatures in her home state. 

Known for her appearance on the reality TV series Skin Wars, Holt’s animal body art focuses on creatures like local foxes, owls, and other mammals. Her 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. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 50: The artist uses several models in this image to create a stunning fox.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 51: It’s not just one alligator that has its eye on you in this image. What stands out the most here is the incredible waterline painted on the model to give this piece more realism. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 52: In this image, a blue heron emerges from the model’s, looking to start its morning hunt. 

Animal Body Painting Image No. 53: As the model balances on one hand, this bodypaint masterpiece shows an inquisitive young fawn.

Animal Body Painting Image No. 54: This model shows honeybees buzzing around the upper body of the model.

Bodypainting is an incredible art form that incorporates models in various ways to create something incredible.

Which animal body painting image is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section.

Also, if you are feeling inspired and would like to be painted into your favourite animal, get in contact with Trina Merry