Thursday, March 19, 2009

Still Kicking Lions - errr, On a Lion Painting Kick

Lion _ ACEO 2-1/2 x 3-1/2"
watercolor
copyright
Jan Gibson


I don't know what it is about painting lions lately but this will be my third one in about 2 months! Lions certainly aren't my favorite wild animal or anything but there is something compelling about them, isn't there?

I don't know how many of you remember watching Bob Ross paint on PBS, but if you do, then you heard him say to use "two hairs and some air" when blending. That was one of his stock phrases when he blended with that fat two inch brush of his!

I can almost say that this painting was done using about two hairs and some water! I like to paint relatively small, but it's so much harder to paint tiny and actually have it look like anything! This probably took as long to paint as a larger painting but it was fun.

The ref photo came from Wet Canvas and I think I'd like to paint a larger version of this guy. However, I think I'd use pastel the next time!


2 comments:

Christine Perry | Graphite Art said...

I like the "lion kick" you are on right now....He's a pretty one and looks like a friendly lion! ...keep going ;o )

Jan said...

Thanks, Christine. I liked this lion also but he was just too small to really get any detail. I will eventually paint him larger, I think.

Wonder why I'm so taken with lions lately?