Lion Further Along

 

The whiskers and lightest parts of the mane and ear aren't painted yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Cat

 

There is still a lot of painting to go but at this point the piece is feeling like the story I want to tell.

 

 

 

 

The Cat

 

 

When working on my focal animal I almost always start with the eyes first. Per square inch they take the longest because if they aren't "right" the whole painting can be lost. Who wants a cross-eyed or scared king of the jungle hanging on their wall? In this piece I want the eyes to portray strength and determination.

 

 

 I'm painting section by section, blending as I go, then circling back to tweak the colors. Since this part of his face is in shadow I'm incorporating some blues and purples.

My preferred brushes are flat angle brushes which can give me anything from thin lines to broad strokes.