Starting the Cougar

(Detail)

Now comes my favorite part..... the cat. The cougar is what is going to make this painting come alive. Everything, the background, the rocks, and the vegetation, is merely a prop for the star.

I start with the eyes. If I can get the eyes to express what I want, the rest of the painting will just flow. (Note: I save the whiskers for the very last piece of the painting.)