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April 28, 2023
Looking for paintings of animals that transform blank walls into conversation starters? You're in the right place.
We offer over 500 original handmade paintings of animals created by skilled African artists in Tanzania. Every piece is one-of-a-kind—signed by the artist who painted it, hand-layered over days, never reproduced. These aren't prints. They're original paintings of animals you won't find anywhere else.
From bold elephants commanding attention to playful giraffes perfect for children's rooms, from powerful leopards ideal for home offices to colorful tropical birds that brighten any space—our collection delivers the diversity serious buyers demand.
Here's why our paintings of animals stand apart from everything else available online.
Most websites offer 20-50 animal paintings. We maintain over 500 original pieces across our collection—the largest selection of handmade African animal paintings available anywhere online.
Browse by animal:
This diversity means you find exactly what you envision—not settle for close enough.
A collector in Miami spent three months browsing other sites before discovering our collection. She needed a 60x60" elephant painting with specific blue tones to match her living room. We had seven options meeting her exact requirements. She purchased two.
When we say original paintings of animals, we mean the actual painting created by the artist's hand. Not a reproduction. Not a print of someone else's work. The original.
What this means:
Compare this to most online "animal art" sites selling prints disguised as originals, or digital reproductions on canvas. Those pieces exist in unlimited copies. Ours exist once.
Our artists use a distinctive technique: six to eight layers of enamel paint, each dried completely before the next application. This creates dimensional depth impossible with single-layer acrylics or watercolors.
When light hits these paintings of animals—whether morning sun or evening lamplight—you see shadows in an elephant's wrinkles, texture in tree bark, luminosity in bird feathers. The glossy enamel surface catches and reflects light, creating different appearances throughout the day.
A Naples homeowner positioned her 48x60" leopard painting where it receives western afternoon light. "The painting transforms as the sun moves," she reports. "In morning light it's one painting. In golden hour it's completely different. That depth is why I chose original over prints."
Our paintings of animals use the Tingatinga style—a distinctive African folk art tradition from Tanzania established in 1968. This style features:
This creates paintings of animals that command attention without being aggressive, that work in sophisticated interiors without being stuffy, that appeal to adults without being too serious for children's spaces.
Compare this to the two dominant styles flooding online markets: either hyperrealistic wildlife photography converted to canvas (cold, sterile) or cartoonish illustrations (juvenile). Tingatinga occupies the rare middle ground—sophisticated folk art suitable for discerning buyers.
Every painting includes:
This provenance matters. You're not buying anonymous factory art. You're acquiring work by Steven Mkumba, Rashidi Chilamboni, Issa Musa—specific artists with individual styles and documented careers.
A St. Petersburg collector who owns twelve of our paintings of animals notes: "I can tell you which artist painted each piece in my home. I know Steven's distinctive baobab tree style, Issa's leopard compositions, Rashidi's bird patterns. That personal connection to the artists makes these paintings meaningful, not just decorative."
Our diversity isn't just volume—it's thoughtful curation across subjects, sizes, and styles.
70+ elephant paintings ranging from 24x24" intimate portraits to 84x72" commanding installations. Available in:
Elephants work beautifully in formal living rooms, entryways, dining rooms—anywhere you want to convey strength with grace. A Houston collector selected a 60x72" elephant family painting for above her fireplace specifically because "elephants represent the family values central to our home."
Browse our complete collection of paintings to see all elephant options.
50+ big cat paintings featuring spotted leopards and maned lions. These paintings of animals work particularly well in:
Available in dramatic contrasts (black backgrounds with vivid spots) or more subtle earth-toned compositions. Sizes from 30x40" to 72x60".
A Miami attorney has a 48x60" leopard painting behind her desk, visible during video calls. "Clients consistently comment on it. It's become part of my professional brand—sophisticated, confident, memorable."
40+ giraffe paintings, including many vertical compositions (perfect for tall, narrow walls). Giraffe paintings work beautifully in:
A Naples family selected a 36x72" vertical giraffe painting for their daughter's room. "She's eight, and the painting 'grows' with her. It's sophisticated enough that she won't outgrow it as a teenager, but playful enough that she loves it now."
100+ bird paintings—our most diverse category. Includes:
Bird paintings of animals excel in:
Sizes from compact 24x24" to substantial 60x48" compositions.
30+ zebra paintings featuring the species' distinctive striping. These paintings of animals work in:
A Dallas homeowner with an all-white modern penthouse selected a zebra painting specifically because "I wanted bold pattern without introducing color. The black-and-white striping provides exactly the visual interest I needed."
25+ paintings featuring water-dwelling creatures. Perfect for:
Includes tropical fish in vibrant colors, hippos in naturalistic settings, water birds in their habitats.
45+ landscape paintings featuring Africa's iconic baobab trees, often with animals integrated into sunset or savanna scenes. These paintings of animals work in:
Baobab paintings typically feature glowing sunset colors—deep oranges, warm reds, golden yellows—that create peaceful, grounding energy.
100+ paintings featuring multiple animal species in single compositions. These paintings of animals create:
Popular combinations include elephants with birds, giraffes with zebras, multiple bird species together, complete savanna scenes.
With 500+ options, selection becomes easier, not harder—because you find exactly what you need rather than settling.
Measure your wall space in inches (or centimeters if you prefer). The formula:
Wall width Ă— 0.65 = recommended painting width Wall height Ă— 0.65 = recommended painting height
Example: Your living room wall measures 96" wide by 80" tall.
A 60x48" painting would be ideal. A 48x36" would look undersized.
Formal spaces (living rooms, dining rooms, entryways): Elephants, baobab trees, dignified compositions
Personal power spaces (home offices, primary bedrooms, studies): Leopards, lions, eagles
Playful/family spaces (children's rooms, family rooms, breakfast areas): Giraffes, tropical birds, playful compositions
Transitional spaces (hallways, powder rooms, landings): Birds, vertical compositions, smaller sizes
Contemporary minimalist spaces: Single bold painting of animals in dramatic colors, often with geometric backgrounds
Our paintings of animals are available in every color imaginable. Filter by dominant colors:
Warm palettes (earth tones, sunset colors): Baobab trees, elephants, lions in natural settings
Cool palettes (blues, greens, purples): Fish, water birds, animals with blue backgrounds
Jewel tones (deep saturated colors): Peacocks, tropical birds, leopards with rich backgrounds
High contrast (dramatic black with bright colors): Zebras, leopards, contemporary compositions
Multi-color (maximum vibrancy): Tropical birds, multi-animal scenes, celebration compositions
A Boca Raton designer's approach: "I always start by photographing my client's space, then filter paintings by dominant color. If they have cream walls and soft blue accents, I show paintings featuring blues plus one new accent color—maybe coral or gold. The familiar blues ensure harmony; the new accent provides refresh."
Traditional Tingatinga (classic style established in 1968): Naturalistic subjects, folk art aesthetic, recognizable animals. Browse our traditional Tingatinga collection.
Contemporary interpretations: Geometric elements, abstract backgrounds, modern color combinations. Browse our contemporary collection.
Abstract animal paintings: Pattern and color emphasized over representational accuracy. Browse our abstract collection.
Traditional works in formal, rustic, or classic interiors. Contemporary fits modern, minimalist, or eclectic spaces. Abstract bridges both.
Some collectors prefer acquiring multiple works by the same artist, creating visual cohesion throughout their homes.
Read about our artists to understand individual styles. When you find an artist whose work resonates, explore their complete portfolio.
A Moscow collector owns eight paintings by the same artist—all different subjects (elephants, leopards, birds) but sharing distinctive brushwork and color preferences. "Walking through my home, you see visual threads connecting spaces. That cohesion happened because I stayed with one artist I love."
We offer paintings of animals in nine standard sizes plus custom options:
Small (perfect for powder rooms, small bedrooms, gallery walls):
Medium (ideal for bedrooms, dining rooms, studies):
Large (best for living rooms, entryways, above fireplaces):
Extra Large (for dramatic spaces, high ceilings, statement walls):
A Palm Beach collector working with high ceilings initially assumed a 40x32" painting would suffice. Her designer recommended 60x48". "She was right. In my 12-foot ceiling salon, the larger size provides proper scale. The 40x32" would have disappeared."
Enamel paint maintains vibrancy over time. A collector in London purchased her first painting in 2007. Eighteen years later, it shows no color degradation despite hanging in bright south-facing light.
The glossy enamel surface protects pigments from UV exposure that fades watercolors, acrylics, and prints. This durability means your paintings of animals look as vibrant decades from now as delivery day.
The glossy surface resists dust and cleans easily. Wipe with a dry microfiber cloth when needed. No special treatments, no professional cleaning required.
Clients hang our paintings of animals in:
The bold colors and folk art aesthetic adapt remarkably well across styles. You're not locked into one design direction.
We work directly with the Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society in Dar es Salaam. Artists set their own prices and receive compensation for their work without exploitative middlemen.
The cooperative model ensures:
When you purchase paintings of animals from us, you're supporting artists who've spent years mastering their craft, not fueling factory production.
Every client reports the same experience: guests ask about these paintings. Not politely—genuinely interested, asking where you found them, who painted them, can they get one.
A Houston homeowner: "I've had the same furniture for five years, and no one's ever commented. I hung one painting of animals above my sofa, and suddenly every visitor asks about it. That's the difference between decoration and art."
Explore all 500+ paintings of animals in our collection. Filter by:
Save favorites. Come back to them. Live with the images for a few days. The right painting makes itself known—you'll keep returning to it.
Art pricing should be collaborative. Use our Make An Offer feature to negotiate directly with us. We work with serious buyers to find pricing that works.
Many collectors build ongoing relationships, acquiring multiple paintings of animals over months or years. The first purchase establishes the relationship; subsequent acquisitions flow naturally.
We ship worldwide via DHL and Aramex—trusted international carriers with full tracking. Paintings ship rolled in protective tubes to prevent damage during transit.
We offer free shipping and maintain a 100% delivery success rate. No packages lost, no damaged paintings. From Dar es Salaam to your address typically takes 7-10 business days, with tracking updates throughout.
A Naples collector who has purchased multiple paintings of animals: "Every delivery arrived perfectly. The tube packaging protects completely, and tracking is detailed. I always know exactly when to expect my painting."
Paintings arrive rolled. Take them to any local framer who will stretch the canvas onto wooden stretcher bars (the supportive frame behind the canvas). This typically costs $75-150 depending on size and takes a few days.
Stretching locally (rather than shipping pre-stretched) prevents damage during international transit and reduces shipping costs significantly.
How are these different from prints?
These are original paintings—the actual piece created by the artist's hand. When you touch the surface, you feel the paint layers. Each brushstroke is visible. No two paintings are identical, even by the same artist painting the same subject. Prints are photographic reproductions sold in unlimited quantities. Originals exist once.
Can I see more work by a specific artist?
Yes. Every painting includes the artist's name. Contact us to see their complete portfolio. Many collectors focus on one or two favorite artists, building cohesive collections.
What if I need a specific size?
We offer custom sizing for paintings of animals. Contact us with your exact requirements (dimensions, subject, color preferences). Artists can create commissioned pieces, though custom work typically requires 4-6 weeks.
Do you ship to my country?
We ship worldwide free of charge. Whether you're in the United States, Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, or anywhere else, we deliver.
How do I care for these paintings?
Simple maintenance: wipe with a dry microfiber cloth when needed. Avoid hanging in direct, concentrated sunlight all day. Avoid extremely humid environments (poorly ventilated bathrooms). Normal indoor conditions are perfect.
Can I acquire multiple paintings over time?
Yes. Many clients own 5-20 of our paintings of animals acquired gradually. Building a collection over time lets you see how paintings interact with your space before adding more.
What if my décor changes?
These paintings work across design styles. The bold colors mean you can build new color schemes around them. A client in Palm Beach completely redecorated her living room—new furniture, new textiles, new rug. Her 48x60" elephant painting stayed, and her designer built the new color scheme by pulling accent colors from the painting.
Other sites offer 20-50 animal paintings. We maintain 500+. The difference matters when you're searching for specific subjects, sizes, and colors.
We don't sell reproductions, prints, or digital art on canvas. Every piece is an original painting of animals by a named artist. What you see is what exists—no mass production.
We work directly with the Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society. No layers of dealers, galleries, or wholesalers driving prices up while reducing artist compensation.
Tingatinga art isn't a trend—it's a documented African folk art movement with museum recognition worldwide. You're acquiring pieces from an established cultural tradition, not generic décor.
We've shipped thousands of paintings of animals worldwide. Not one lost package. Not one damaged painting. Our packaging and carrier selection ensure perfect delivery every time.
Questions about sizing, colors, artists, shipping? We respond. Working with us feels personal, not transactional—because we're committed to helping you find the perfect paintings of animals for your space.
Over 500 original paintings of animals await. Bold elephants. Powerful leopards. Graceful giraffes. Colorful tropical birds. Distinctive zebras. Peaceful baobab landscapes.
Every piece is handmade, signed by the artist who created it, available nowhere else. Whether you're decorating your first home or you're a serious collector building a curated grouping, whether you need one statement piece or multiple paintings throughout your space—we have exactly what you're searching for.
Browse our complete collection of paintings of animals and discover why serious buyers choose original Tingatinga art over mass-produced alternatives.
Free worldwide shipping. 100% delivery success rate. Dar es Salaam to your door in 7-10 business days.
Your walls deserve original art. Your home deserves paintings of animals that command attention, start conversations, and bring genuine joy every time you see them.
Find yours today.
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© 2025 TingaTinga African Art.
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Centimeters (CM) |
Inches (IN) |
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50CM x 40CM |
19 11/16 in X 15 3/4 in |
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50CM x 50CM |
19 11/16 in X 19 11/16 in |
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60CM x 60CM |
23 5/8 in X 23 5/8 in |
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70CM x 50CM |
27 9/16 in X 19 11/16 in |
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80CM x 60CM |
31 1/2 in X 23 5/8 in |
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100CM x 80CM |
39 3/8 in X 31 1/2 in |
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140CM x 110CM |
55 1/8 in X 43 5/16 in |
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