Demonstration (step by step guide)

Step 4

It is believed that lions used to have spots much like leopards, but as jungles gave way to open plains the spots gradually dissapeared. You can still see them if you look closely though, particularly in young lions so it was an important point to remember with this painting. By this stage I knew I had a winner on my hands and had begun to draw in the log and some loose suggestions of a background. You will notice that I had left the edges of the fur unfinished at this stage, particularly around the top of the head and ears as I knew I would have a lot of rubbing and blending to do for the background and there would be no point in finishing the edges of the fur prior to this being done.

For further information please also visit Eric's sister website www.ericwilsonwildlifeart.com for a full gallery of paintings including his very latest works, portraiture, information about the artist, his research trips, exhibition schedule, commission status, private tuition courses, appearances and lectures.