Not done yet

Since my last post I've done some reworking of the lion's face and finished his body.

The final part would seem to be easy but it takes a delicate touch. Foreground grasses need to be added. As reluctant as I am to "cover up" the zebra, those grasses will help anchor the animal and keep it from looking like it is floating. The grasses need to be strategically placed in front of the zebra and lion, but must also look random. It is a balancing act.

Stay tuned.

Starting the Lion

The cropped photo above shows the beginning of the lion. There is still more I wish to do with his face (better highlighting, whiskers, and overall refinement.) For now I will move on to the rest of his body and once that is finished, I'll revisit his head.

Zebra

Zebra are such beautiful animals. Each has a unique pattern of stripes so I never tire painting them. With strategic shading the stripes also lend a 3-D effect to the piece.

New Painting

It has been a while since I have posted. Since my last post I have been back to Martha's Vineyard for the Artist Reception at the Louisa Gould Gallery on July 2nd. In addition, I gave an artist talk there the evening of July 6th. Thank you Louisa for arranging both.

My next painting will be part of a set. Each is 18" X 32".

Here I have roughed in the grasses. All the lower grass detail will be painted after I have completed the two animals.

Generally I paint background to foreground, top to bottom. However, I felt if I painted the zebra first I'd be more vested in the scene. Above is a cropped photo of the painting.