WIP #1 Lion.

Lion.  28 x 42cm  on  Waterford & Bockingford drawing paper 300gsm

I have roughed in the start of this piece.  so much work to do on the long hair and the face. I think the eye is completed.  A lot more challenging..LOL  I love a challenge.  Another quite large work. I am loving these giant lovable wild animals.  This is mainly a head and shoulders and comes courtessy of the WetCanvas reference library.  

Back grounds or not.

Referring to the last project of Mags...the magpie. 

I'm never sure about mixing mediums other than the little touch of color that I usually add. It's always hard to know if we should have a BG or not when we do animals in graphite. Some artists say without a BG the picture is not complete.  I always feel that Pen & Ink can work without a BG . Watercolor and oils need a BG.What do you all think?
The housework done and our trip all finalized. All bookings made...so time to settle down back into my artwork.  We just have to sit back now and wait for the big trip.

My next project is going to be a Male Lion...the mate to the Lioness. I should get started on that today.

Have a great Arty Day.     

Mags Finished.

Mags.   8 x 10" on Arches smooth paper.

I didn't really enjoy this piece.   I did the BG  in both pastel and  prismacolor pencils.   With the pastel dust it is hard to get  the black working with Mags being in graphite.    It has been a goos experiment all the same.  

Mags...update.

Mags.
Still a lot to do yet...  working on tones especially on Mags and more work in the tree branches.

I have been having fun here with Mags.  I subscribe to Ozsale.com.  Where in au we buy thing as much as 70% off the retail price.  You have to be quick to purchase as each sale is only up to 3 - 4 days.  I was so excited when I saw Faber-Castel had a sale on there.  I jumped in quick as these items were half price.  I had to wait about 6 weeks to get them but they arrived on Wednesday.  Here is what I purchased.

Colored Pitt Pens..  Chartcoal Pencil set.  Graphite Pencil set. Pastels. Art sketch Diary.
The lot incl postage was $98. au.


 I have already experimented with the lovely soft pastels on the BG here .  

Mags WIP

Mags on Arches smooth paper.  8 x 10"

Mags is our resident magpie. He comes every day along with his mate Sobersides and little bubs.   LOL they are the names we have given to them.  They have heart for breakfast and what ever they can can get the rest of the day, toast, bread, ham.  They certainly don't go hungry. They have trained us well ;)
Still lots to do on Mags.   Black feathers are difficult but I have more layers to work on yet.  

Possums dinner time.

This is the first time they have allowed me to hand feed them with Banana chips.  They love them.as well as carrot, pumpkin and grapes.  It's taken some time and patience, so worth the wait.
They are gorgeous.

Lioness Finished.

Arches 300gsm Smooth Paper  43 x 35cm

I have finally finished the Lioness.   She feel like a friend with the time it has taken to complete this.  I did give you plenty of updates with her.   I am thinking maybe a male Lion next to keep this lady company.  


 I would like to thank.   Rod Haley ( Flickr).  Thank you very much Rod for your permission to use one of your superb photos.