Simba Mzee

Simba Mzee in Kiswahili means "Wise Old Lion"

This is an image of a large old black and golden maned lion which I have sketched in the medium of Pastel on a PastelMat paper whilst using a beautiful photograph courtesy of Freda Strydom.

Below are a sequence of images showing how I sketched the above lion

I started this portrait of the lion by lightly sketching in some rough outlines

Here I've added some tan background colour and also some black undermane to the lion

I've moved up to the chin and gradually worked along the side of his face and eye

Here I'm at my easel adding some more highlighted fur to his mane

I've now filled in one of his ears and started to move across his forehead

I've now added in his second eye and started on his under fur before adding the highlighted fur

I'm just working in the deap colour of the second eye

I've worked in some dark underfur before adding in the lighter mane

Here I've been working on his shoulder then down his left leg and onto his flank

I am at my easel, finally finishing off with a few of the finer details

Beautifully scanned and framed by Framers Gallery