Johhny is a cougar at Wildlife Safari, a non profit drive through zoo where I volunteer. I had a keeper with me and could walk right up to the fence so I could photograph him. This beautiful cougar immediatly walked over and rubbed the fence just inches from me! Such a beautiful cat.
But sometimes I fall flat on my face. I was hoping Johnny would just pop out of the darkness behind. I made mud! Partly because I used the wrong paper. This is painted on Pentalic's Nature Sketch 130# paper. I picked it because the paper holds moisture well and I was hoping to build the values of his beautiful face. .... but I forgot I can't lift paint at all well on this paper.
Stayed tuned for another attempt.
5 comments:
Elva, I would loooove to get that close to a cougar (maybe not in the wild?)!! Well I like both renditions. The first one gives the cat a certain personality and character, the second has a precision that conveys regal beauty. One of my pet peeves is paper that won't let go of pigments easily... I don't usually plan ahead enough to choose papers I can correct on easily, and some of my "favorite" undertakings get to be so irritating because I want to correct something and can't. Seeing your first cougar, though, is a reminder that viewers are naive to our original intentions--I don't have the expectations you did for that painting, and it speaks to me just as it is very pleasingly.
It is really nice to see both paintings and to witness an artist's process. Sometimes if I get my watercolors too dark and muddy, I come back over the top with colored pencils to lighten and brighten it up. Just an idea. I am really curious to see the third one!
Interesting comparison between the two. They are both very nice, they just give a different feel.
Your cats are great. The facial features are so nice.
Wow, Elva. The second cat really speaks to me. Gorgeous......
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