As I looked at my paper, covered in loose watercolor washes, lines and splashes, I saw a lion, dozing under a tree. (Check out my previous post What Do You See? to see why I painted the washes without knowing what they would become.)

Painting like this, with no specific species or composition in mind, is a complete change to the way I normally work, and that’s what makes it so much fun. When I ‘saw’ the lion, I knew he needed to blend into his environment, as a lion does in the wild. A simple silhouette seemed the best way to go, so I drew the shape out on paper first, then (using the same colors I’d used in the washes) I painted the lion. The painting reminds me of several lion encounters I’ve had over the years, and I’m pleased with the result – the simplicity of the painting process and the finished result.
Alison
www.ArtInspiredbyAfrica.com