So  oil painting of leopard is completed and I scanned the big cat earlier today. The oil painting was commissioned by Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden and will be printed on their products. I will also use this one for open edition Giclées, Wildlife Art Prints in near future as I really love this painting. The painting is relatively small, 38 x 46cm for a full body with backgrounds, but it turned out good anyway.

Wildlife Art of Leopard

Big Cat painting in oil - Leopard resting

As you can see Samantha lives in a rough environment and that must be visible in her portrait as my client wished it to be that way. I will simplify the background a bit though and I’m still not cute sure how the final result will look, but I want to make it simple at the same time as everything is recognizable.

Now I will leave the painting to dry over the weekend. I will complete the Leopard oil painting next week so that what’s what I will be spending most of my working hours on next week.

Pet portraits in oil - step two

This is the first stage of the cat Samantha with full background. I started to sketch with a pencil and block in some paint. The reference photo ( photo montage)  is truly something I have been working on since I had to add a tail, higher the head and make her look up, add the eyes and much more. It will be interesting to create this painting, a real challenge . The painting is in size 16″ x 12″.

Cat portrait in oils - step1

This is the fourth step of Alexandra, its a middle stage that don’t look that good because its the final preparation for the last layer of paint. The colors are a bit exaggerated and dark to help me at a later stage.

Step four of Alexandra

I have also been working on the oil painting of the four Cavalier Spaniels this week. The second layer of the entire painting has been painted and the base is now finished. Its good to create the best base possible which makes it easier to continue the work at a later stage. Well, the painting is far from finished, but I can’t wait to continue with it. I’m hoping to finish this painting before July. Its because many more layers will be added and I have to be realistic about how long it will take.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel oil painting - step 4

This is the third step of the Leopard painting currently on my easel. I darkened down the colors which will make it easier to lighten up later. The background will be dark and much simpler then on the photo which will make the leopard stand out a bit more. I also want to use warmer colors which will suit the overall picture perfectly. The green hues from the environment will be visible everywhere in the painting and I think that’s already visible at this stage. Some purple/blue shadows will be a exception, its because of the stone which also will have some grey/blue/purple hues included at a later stage. The the painting needs to dry and I will continue with it next week.

Leopard oil painting - step three