The King's Mercy

**Necronomicouch** · January 29th, 2006, 01:49 PM

Well I was asked to put this here =) *nervous*

The final piece I submitted to a recent art show/art auction. This piece actually went to voice auction which made me really excited especially as it was my first time publically showing my art.

I loosely based it on several lion vs. mouse Aesop's Fables, not really any particular tale or scene, but that is the look I was going for.

Watercolor, colored pencil and acrylic ink 11"X14"

**iomoon** · January 29th, 2006, 07:29 PM

That's a really nice job. Well lit and great colours.

**Mirana** · January 30th, 2006, 11:11 AM

Did you use any reference? That lion's tongue is lovely--very tangible. Is he missing his front teeth, though?

Love the mouse the best...very cute and with total concern on his face. The lion's expression also gives us the feeling he's listening and thinking about why his food is speaking. XD

**rick_hershey** · January 30th, 2006, 11:18 AM

This looks great. I'm really enjoying the texture of this image, and the colors work very well with the style and mood. I must admit that the whole inside of the mouth is a little bothersome, especially around the top teeth. It just doesn't look right to me -- but I don't think it really takes anything away from the overall image. Once again, great job.

**WingManMedia** · January 30th, 2006, 01:02 PM

i would like to see some more teeth.... the lion in my opinion would look much more threatening.

**Necronomicouch** · January 30th, 2006, 08:01 PM

Yes I used references but you know how it is working from photographs, you can't really get the full effect, so that is the main reason for the anatomical problems. I see what you mean about the teeth, but my original intent was that his front teeth be covered by his lips with only his fangs showing. I had several folks look at it and tweak it, but alas.

Thanks guys for the comments =)

**Necronomicouch** · January 30th, 2006, 08:01 PM

Yes I used references but you know how it is working from photographs, you can't really get the full effect, so that is the main reason for the anatomical problems. I see what you mean about the teeth, but my original intent was that his front teeth be covered by his lips with only his fangs showing. I had several folks look at it and tweak it, but alas.

Thanks guys for the comments =)

Dutton · January 30th, 2006, 08:31 PM

I'm trying to remember, but was it Charles Santore that did Aesop's Fables a few years back? Your style reminds me a bit of his take on this tale, and that's a compliment. The matted fur in his mane below his cheek is excellent!

If possible, I'd lighten up those greens in the background where they get darker. The values in the darkest greens almost match the value of his fur, and when you squint your eyes so that you only see the shapes and not the colors, it's very hard to distinguish the lion from the background. The only thing that separates the two elements is the backlighting on the fur, creating a white line around the figure. It's effective, but overall, the rest of the piece looks darker because of it.

But then again, if the piece is sold at this point then congratulations!