Nature's Barcode

This is a sketch of a small herd of Hartman's Mountain Zebra in Damaraland, Namibia

It has been sketched using the medium of Pastel on Pastel Matt board.

The sequence of photos below show how this image was sketched

I marked out the background scenery along with the small herd of Hartman's zebra

I gradually filled in the base layer of the sky using Unison Light 16 and then gradually added PanPastel Phthalo Blue tint to the upper part of the sky to give it a slight haze.

I'm starting to add the distant escarpment which moves left to the right from the centre.

Working at the main easle

The higher part of the scenery is starting to take shape as I start to fill in the left side

The escarpment is taking shape with a few riverletts of scree beginning to give it height

I'm still working on the Damaraland background, adding some of the finer detail

Now working on the lower slopes whilst gradually bringing in the zebra from the centre of the image

The first herd of Hartman's mountain zebra are taking shape now as I move across the image

Gradually working on the stripes of the Hartman's zebra, with only two more to do..

I'm slowly working my way through the dazzle of stripes before finishing the last zebra

Lowering the horizon enhances the scale of the escarpment and sky in the background

I've added small flowers which tend to appear after the rains which adds to their food source.
Scanned at Framers Gallery