Black backgrounds..

One of my favourite ways to work is against a black background. I think it creates an effect that for some photographs is perfect. I then of course adapt my work from the photograph and change the lighting, contrast and composition. Whether its colour pencils and pastels on black paper or acrylics on a black airbrushed background the end goal is the same. I haven’t yet tried it with pastels this is one of my to do’s which I am hoping to get done over Christmas. This one is likely to be a Lion as I have already got the reference photograph in mind for this piece :).

< Mounted
Elephant reference: Johanna Kok @ Wildlife Reference Photos
Tiger reference: Jan Willemsen @ Wildlife Reference
Frog reference: Pam Donovan
Chimpanzee reference: Paul Fine
Amur Leopard reference: Russ Bridges