Oh Baby, Baby acrylic portrait baby lion

                                                                    Oh Baby, Baby
                                                                         11"x14"
                                                                         Acrylic

Well there was a purpose to this piece besides the fact that I loved the look of this little guy.   He looks to me like he is already practicing stalking and on the hunt.  Of course, he probably really is just curious as they have no fear at that age.

I wanted to see if I could pull some of the energy and looser brushwork that I found in my performers pieces and translate that into use with my animals.   Since I have been on instagram I have seen so  many wonderful and talented folks who do animals really, really well, that it drives me to try to do more than just recreate the perfect look and try to imbibe some life into the piece.  That means that they aren't perfect, static or you see every hair in place.   I worked on this a while ago with a couple of wolf pieces and then somehow got away from it.

This is painted on a piece of really bright yellow mat board because I thought I would be using a lot of water and try mixing together an energetic background.  After picking my colors though I realized I wanted to just have a lot of that mat color shine through and thought it to looked like some African dry baked grassland that he is walking through.  In the actual reference photo he is in snow with trees in the background and you totally see all of his paws.  I used some unart implements to put in the background.    Thankful for the dollar store - there I found flexible spatulas, and one of those things that you can put BBQ sauce on, it has little fingers.

Thanks much for stopping by and taking a look.

Comments

Helen said…
You have been having a grand time with backgrounds lately! I love this one. Maybe I'll be inspired to try one of these backgrounds.
October 14, 2017 at 9:27 AM
Mellowood Gallery said…
super piece Nelvia and the background suits the cub to a tee! Perfect!
October 14, 2017 at 7:32 PM
Sheila said…
WOW, this look even more wonderful on a larger screen. I am amazed at how different things look on IG. I can feel the heat in this scene, hear the crackling of dried twigs as they give under his paws. Amazing details, and energy. And the eyes, you do those so well!
October 14, 2017 at 7:52 PM
Jane said…
I immediately saw the savanna in the background, and I love this sweet looking baby lion, awesome painting !
October 15, 2017 at 10:05 AM
Joan Tavolott said…
That color background works perfectly for this painting. You did a great job on the cub and the texture in this!
October 15, 2017 at 8:52 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Magnolia Blossom acrylic portrait magnolia flowers

Image
Magnolia Blossoms Acrylic 11"x14" “Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you're willing to practice, you can do.”   - Bob Ross I thought this was a wonderful quote.  I don't know if it has happened to you, but people say, oh you are so talented.  Not true, couldn't be farther from the truth, although I am sure there are many artists who do possess that something extra, something special.  But for the most part for the rest of us, it is just a matter of studying,  learning your  tools and materials, practicing, and then start to trust your inner self.  I am on a journey to try to find my voice.  Not that I am a late bloomer, but I should have already found it, yes?  I guess what I am really looking for is the way I wish and want to paint.   Not necessarily how I have been doing it. I am pleased with this piece.  Many thanks to Sanne who put this wonderful reference piece up at PMP.  Personally I think Magno...
Read more

DAY 19 Noise

Image
Noise I have noticed, now that we live out of the hard core suburbia, how much we get quiet.  I mean actual quiet, no kids, no dogs, not cars, not motorcycles, no sirens, etc. etc.  How many waves, noise carrying waves, go through our bodies every day.   Phone, radio, tv, fiber optics, microwave, etc. etc.   Can that really be good for us? Anyway, I never know what I am going to get and this was a pretty quick one since I had a big time work day, for me.   But I got some really clean windows - am really ready for Fall, wish the temperature could understand how ready I really am for Fall!!. Thanks much for stopping by.
Read more

Nicolae's GF Laughing Giraffe mixed media portrait

Image
Nicolae's Giraffe Over the years we have decided the places we like to visit and have gone back multiple times.   In this day and age I think it is uncommon that in a hotel environment the workers would have been there 10-35 years.  So friendships develop.   Each of the people we have encountered have made our stays extra special in a variety of ways.   One of the ladies that works the check in desk had a baby last year.   Since we were unable to go in November we just saw her when we were in DC.   He is now 14 months, and in love with giraffes.  She has a yellow and gray nursery decor and I wanted to do a giraffe.   Wasn't sure if it should be the "kiddie" kind, but thought he might outgrow it.   So I decided to do one semi realistic so that he wouldn't outgrow it right away.  Aren't they just the strangest looking animal? I always wish I would keep my mouth shut, because it does worry me when I say I will paint something - it ...
Read more