Welcome to the Maverick Gallery "On the Easel"

This is an area where I detail what I'm currently working on or have just finished. Its to add insight into how I work and the disasters I overcome or don't....as the case may be :)

This is a work in progress of  "The Look" Tiger

It is a 16" x 12" Pastel on Colorfix special paper.

The piece is an attempt to capture a study of a Tiger head. The background is a very dark green merged to black, partly to help frame the tiger and also to not detract from it with detail. I want to give the effect of a tiger coming out of a dark jungle. Im not interested in detailing the jungle background and making the piece too busy, but I do need to show the dark against light of the foliage as the tiger pushes his way out into the light.
 

So first up was to draw the whole thing out with the basic tiger shapes and dark areas. And immediately to add some leaves that brought the dark to light effect to the fore. Especially to make it feel 3D and that the tiger is part of the environment. The leaves in front of the tiger make the eye pull the whole thing into perspective and allow some shadowing and therefore light effects. The leaves seem to twist and lay on the tiger as he comes out.

Above I started on the top of the head and worked down. The back of the animal came first and then the right side and moving across to the head top. I got a little confused at this point as to where the light was coming from. I know it had to come from the left and in front but this would make the whole tiger face in equal light and therefore appear a bit flat. So I decided to move it of to the left and up a bit too. This enables the left side of the tiger to be lighter, especially the white areas. AND most importantly I could then shadow the leaves onto the tiger. This really lifts the light effect and depth. It doesn't need many and I don't want to cover the Tiger, so an odd leaf with shadow does enough. I am thinking of putting one or two on the right side as well. It will just coordinate things. The right side will only have the dark and some distant leaves....the Tiger is coming out to the left. One other thought is the problem with white hair. Maybe a long stalk from the bottom up to the neck might allow some shadowing down the animals lower neck.

Above I have worked down the nose bridge and carried right down to the mouth area. Its unusual for me since I normally work the behind area first and I am concerned as to the dark green to the left and how I will now do it. Especially since I am right handed. Still....I have caused the issue so I have to sort it. I think the nose is a little too pink as well I will need to dull it a bit.

Above. I worked on that area to the left next, best now or I would just worry about it. I didnt want to put to much detail in but enough to give the effect. I need some dark distant leaves to give the impression of depth plus some crossing behind her make it feel that she is moving out and they also work better against the light fur. By adding some light onto the leaves I can make them feel like they are turning away into the distance. I then decided to put some turning leaves on the right. Again this adds to the 3D effect and also allows me to break up the fur on the right which is white and would be bland and also hard work.

Above. I worked on the side of the face next, deciding to carry on down left to right till finished. I wouldn't normally put leaves in front of the fur first but its the only way to get fresh clean leaves. The hair now needed to be straggly and bunched, plus a little dirty. I am working in soft shadow here and also the hair is longer and can be matted.

Above. I have got right down now. Its just about there. Time to relook and evaluate. The leaves on the right have some shadow. I could have offset that shadow but that would just bring them away from the Tiger and I want it to feel like she's pushing them out a bit. Using curl in and out on the leaves I can highlight her shoulder shape a little and also pull the eye upwards. I have managed to get a bunched chunky effect to the leg fur but also fine wispy hairs too, so I'm pretty pleased with it.