wildcat - step by step

First I drew the lion, from a photo reference on pixabay (free image site), with a 6B pencil, trying to be as loosey-goosey as possible. I do try to keep the structure of the subject while making big confident lines. 

Next, I start with the eyes. I like to paint them together, not one at a time because eyes work as a pair. It's easy to get off balance if you focus on only one eye, then the other. Work the eyes together. I don't finish the eyes though... just get some darks and lights in them. 

Working down the page, darks and lights, transparent and opaques. I never liked painting washes in watercolour. I can never get the washes dark enough and contrasty enough. I end up having to do many washes... I prefer this more direct approach.

The whiskers wrap around the muzzle, helping bring the mouth forward. Saving the highlights in the eyes as I finish them up. Then, a few calligraphy marks and... my friend is finished!

underwater

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"acid-free mat.

I found this awesome free reference photo at Pixabay. 

For InkTober I've been painting animals and that means painting from photos, which has it's pros and cons. Otherwise all my work is painted from life. 

The bonus is, finding a fun photo like this!

; )

antelope sketchbook page

Here's my Antelope study page from my sketchbook, done in mechanical and 6B pencils. The rings on their horns are quite fascinating and more defined than I previously thought. It's fun doing these studies before venturing into a painting. I like the free images website called Pixabay. : )

Other news.... Inktober starts soon!