"Passion of the Tiger" as it Progressed

Day 1 - 5 - Finally! The next sketch in the Spirit Totem Series. I thought it would never happen. I knew that I wanted to do the Tiger next, but couldn't for the life of me make up my mind what sort of environment to put her in.

I started first with a possible African theme, but through research found out that other than the Saber Tooth Tiger, no other tiger has made it's home in Africa.

Then I was off to research the concept of a Siberian Tiger in the snow and did tons of research on that environment and the people. But I wasn't satisfied with the look I was coming up with.

So back to more research and the Bengal Tiger and it's environment. That seemed to suit me better and I began this sketch. Unlike with some of the other WIP's this sketch came without any preliminary sketches or doodles.

Now it's time to get the sketch up on canvas!!

Day 6 & 7 - Spent about a day and a half getting the preliminary sketch onto canvas. As with the other WIP's, I took a digital photo of the sketch. In Photoshop I added grid marks to the image that would correspond to the 5 inch square grid marks that I had put on the canvas. This gives me a neat little road map from which to work as I transfer the sketch to the canvas.

As I was drawing I decided that I was really happy with the background archway. So as you can see, it's changed some. I think this version will be a much nicer frame for the foreground images.

Once the sketch on the canvas was completed, I used a workable fixative spray on the whole canvas. This allows me to paint over the sketch without the lead from the pencil lines getting mixed with the paint. If I don't use the workable fixative the lead makes a nasty mess as it mixes with the paint. (Bet you can figure out how I know that!! Yuck!)

Now on to color

Day 8 - WooHoooo!! Color!!! Even though this is just the start of the base coat and I never know if the colors will remain the same from day to day, I just LOVE when the color start to happen.

Technical Stuff - When you start with the oil base coat, make sure that it has little or no extra linseed oil in it. To help the paint flow use a paint thinner such as turpentine or turpenoid. As you build up the layers of paint you add more and more linseed oil. This allows the bottom layers to dry in the right order. If the top layers don't have more oil in them than the lower layers you will have cracking in the paint. (I do have one beautiful portrait of one of my daughter's as an infant where I didn't observe this rule in one section. And sure enough, cracks!)

The other reason for doing this is that your eye will actually see through the top layers, giving the painting actual depth. Something neither watercolor nor acrylic can do.

Day 9 - The first layer of the Tiger is in. And not too bad either.

The first layer of color can be a little disappointing some times. There's so little depth, everything looks so flat. You just have to remember that this is just the base.

Not sure about the greens in her costume. But reds weren't right either. We'll have to see as the painting progresses if this will work.

Day 10 - (Note this photo is a bit more yellow than the actual colors. There was a lot of sunshine coming into the studio) Finished the first layer of color. Then went back to start on the second layer, starting with the background.

The edges were softened a bit, and additional colors were added. And I worked a bit more on establishing the light source. The biggest change here is that I "pushed" the background farther back by changing the position of the bottom of the wall. I thought the foreground figures needed a bit more room and that it would give the over all look more drama.

Then added another layer of color to her body.

Day 11 - Sorry this update has taken so long. I took a bunch of days off to do some sightseeing locally and just to relax. Had a great time. Now back to work.

Worked a lot on the background strengthening the shadows and punching the highlights. Also added another layer to her bare skin and did some face work.

Day 12 - A bit dark in the studio when I took this shot, so the colors and values are a bit off, but you get the idea. I worked on the arch. It was too plain, so I've decided to add some carving to it. It's just the start and will need more work.

I'm a bit anxious about this 'cause I've never attempted stone carving before, so we shall have to see how it goes.

Day 13 - You know sometimes it's not until I actually see the photos side by side that I realize how much work I've done from day to day. When I was done with this particular session I was really disappointed in my progress, but in comparing Day 12 with this one -- I did get a lot of work done. WooHoo!!

I started out working on the detail in the arch. I worked and worked and worked and then got totally bored and moved on to adding a second layer to the floor (lightened up the colors), then got bored with that and moved on to her face, then upper torso and arms. Now that was fun!

I'll let the background and floor dry for a couple of days before going back to it.

Day 14 - Some subtle differences today. Added a second layer to the top two veils. You can see some slight color difference and some smoothing out of the color along with additions of highlights and shadows. I also gave her bra a second layer and a touch more work on her torso.

I'm not sure I like the color on that second veil. I think it needs to be a bit more green. But I'll wait and see.

Day 15 - So as you can see, I went in and changed the color on the lower veil to a pale green and then added the second layer of paint to the two skirt and they got a lot more green too. I think they need to go darker to really bring the woman to the forefront.

Worked a lot on the tiger's second layer of paint too. To really achieve a nice looking fur, it takes quite a few layers. So he's not near done yet.

I'm not sure about the stick she is holding. I think it looks a little too much like she's "taming" the tiger and that's not what I want to show. So I'll have to rethink that some.

Day 16 - So I bit the bullet today and went back to the arch to work on the detail. And Woohooo, I think I've got it!!

I also added a light glaze of burnt sienna to the shadow in the center of the arch. I think it really helped to give it depth.

I also worked on her face, upper chest, arm and some hair. Softening the shadows and blending the highlights.

And I got rid of that silly stick. Now I have to figure out what, if anything, she's holding in her hand.

Day 17 - Believe it or not, I did 8 hours worth of work on that tiger. Not that it looks it though. And he still needs more work! I just have to remember that with fur, slow and steady always pays off.

When I work on fur I start with a medium size brush to lay in the basic color. With each successive layer of paint I get smaller and smaller in the brush size.

Day 18 - It's amazing how much the color in the image will change with different kinds of light that are coming into the studio. Day 17 is far more yellow than the actual painting. But that was because I took it late in the day, when there is lots more sun in the studio. This image is much more true to color.

Worked on the two skirt sections today, upper and lower, matching the color more to the color of the bodice and working on the highlights and the shadows. Also added highlights and shadows to the gold trim on the skirt.

Then I added another layer of paint to her whole body including her face. I think you can really see how the build up of layers gives the painting more depth.

Oh, and I gave her a bit more hair.

Day 19 - Worked on the floor today. Added shadows from her dress and worked on creating a marble effect. I think the center section works well, giving the look of marble and the perspective that I need. The other sections will need a bit of reworking to get the perspective.

Day 20 - Worked a little on the outer floor sections, but they were a bit too wet, so I'll have to go back to them.

Then I added a bit more subtle shadow work to her skirt, her legs and the back arch and side pillars, and the inside section of her skirt behind her legs.

Then I started the detail on the lower section of her skirt and the lower veil.

Day 21- Worked 4 hours today on just the front legs, chest and side of the head of the Tiger. Not until I insert the image here and saw it along side the image above did I realize how much of a difference it actually made.

I would suggest for those of you that paint or actually do any sort of art or craft, that you take a minute at the end of each session to take a photo. When you think that you haven't accomplished much you can compare photos and see just how wrong you are!!

Day 22 - More tiger work today, the back legs and body. He's coming along but will need more work yet. The shape of his body and the gradual change in fur color are not quite right yet.

If you look closely just below the tiger's stomach you will see that I painted over what was marble baseboard and put in arch shadow colors. I wanted to make sure that the arch was a doorway as opposed to a window. Not sure why that meant something to me but it did.

Day 23 - Trim details started to appear today.

The gold ribbon on the bottom skirt got some color work to create the highlights and shadows, working it so that it looks like satin. (That happens in the highlights - they need to almost glow.)

The upper skirt received a row of small tassels on the edge and the tassels on the belt were worked with some shadows.

Her bracelets received attention and the wand got another crystal and some detail work on the staff section.

I also pulled her top veil around in front of her hand. This helped to give the painting more dimension.

AND ... worked on the tiger body some, again. It's getting better.

Day 25 - Lots of work in lots of different places.

Shaping of Tiger's feet ... A bit more highlight to the Tiger's tail so it's a bit more visible ... More ribbon to both skirts ... ribbon to upper veil ... front closure to bodice added ... shadow from the tiger on her leg ... shadow from the tiger on the floor ... more shadow from the dress on the floor ... shadows from the beads across her forehead added.

Day 26 - Worked on lots of final details.

Head piece received trim ... Another set of beads draps her forehead ... Inner section of arch received more burnt seinna shading ... More work to the Tiger's feet ... More shadow on the floor from the Tiger and the dress ... Accent line added to the section of her veil that crosses in front of her arm ... Embroidery type detail added to the lower section of bra cups on the bodice (hard to see in this size image) ... Start of necklace added ... some adjustments in shadows made to her eyes ... more shadows added to the upper veil on the right side of painting ... more shading to lower veil just above the Tiger.

I think that's all.

Day 27 - And she's done. Lots more shadows, some work on the tiger. Go to the Fantasy Section of the Art Gallery to see the finished peice.