WIP watercolour snow leopard.

[GirlfromOZ]

Hi folks I dont think I have posted here since 2010 but cant remember for certain?. Maybe I have posted a scratchboard?. Here are a couple of cropped photos of a watercolour of a young male snow leopard in progress. Taken from above under fluorescent lighting, hence any distortion of the image. Nothing is finished. I originally posted this WIP in watercolours but didn't know how to x-post. It is being rendered on Arches A3 HP (Smooth) 300GSM watercolour paper which I purchased early 2010, using W&N artist tube paints and mainly 000/0000 brushes. I have had many difficulties with this paper - and have found it highly resistant to the paint - ie: paint not drying for days - hence mixing of layers, lifting off of many layers after a week or so, paint drying flat losing detail, and paint not taking at all in some areas. I know that this paper and CP versions have suffered from sizing problems. The reference for this painting was used with kind permission from Steve Tracy (Flickr/FB). Anyway here it is thus far:



I draw all of my art 'freehand' as I prefer to make adjustments with paint if the drawing is inaccurate and boy have I made a few adjustments with this one. I also found that taking too much time with the drawing was a waste of time as I lost all my lines when applying the paint. Thank you for looking!.

[Rowey]

beautiful!!

[snowfall]

Looking beautiful so far!

Pam

[chammi kaiser]

Wonderful eyes and beautiful soft fluffy fur. I love it and am looking forward to the finish. Arches hot pressed is very smooth and great for line and wash but the Not is so much better for watercolours. I did all my watercolours in the past on Arches Not 300gsm.

[Misted-Dream]

Very soft and beautiful looking already! Wonderful work.

[UltramarineC290]

Yo may be having problems with the paper, but that doesn't show in the result at all. This is looking amazing!

[Vivien Maloney]

Beautiful and I love those soft paws!

[Five]

Incredible! I really admire people who can do water color like this.
You say it is not finished? But it looks so good, I wouldn't have known.

[tjhi]

Oh, wow, this is gorgeous. I, too, wouldn't have guessed that it is not finished. The fur, eyes - everything is fabulous.

Terry

[skappy]

Great work love the fluffy fur very well done
I ve been using Arches mostly HP for more than teen years and never had this problem at least yet.When I first used it doing portraits I use to give it an almost invisible wash of raw sienna anf figured it was easier to paint after that
Robert

[GirlfromOZ]

Many thanks for taking the time to visit my art and for the kind and generous comments Tracey,Pam, Chammi, Shalese, Ultramarine, Viv, Five, Terry and Robert.
Tracey - Thank you!.
Pam - Thank you!.
Chammi - Hopefully will get back to SKY on Monday or Tuesday. I have heard of this Arches NOT being mentioned but not sure what it is - is this paper something between the Hot Press and Cold Press?.
Shalese - BIG CONGRATS on your COMMENDED work in the BBC Wildlife Artist of the year comp. Stunning work!...so wonderful to hear such lovely comments from you!.
Ultramarine: You are so kind!. The paper has given me hell, but in all reality have enjoyed the challenge!. Maybe I am a glutten for punishment!.
Viv - Thank you, snow leopards have such lovely big soft paws, I will be glad when I've finished them and that I do them justice!.
Five and Terry - You are far too kind, a while to go yet before he's finished to my satisfaction... plus have to paint in the rock he is sitting on!.
Robert - Thank you and thanks for your tip on the wash!. Had laid in lots of washes prior to the fine brushwork, but unfortunately still had problems. I had purchased this paper from a local art supply shop with very little turnover, so was obviously older stock.

[Curly]

gorgeous !!

[ArtbyPeggy]

WOW this is beautiful!