This is the beginnings of a drawing for another miniature watercolor piece I have in the works. I was requested to paint a more aggressive pose of a black leopard as a smaller miniature, so this is a 5×7 of a leopard ready for an attack.
The subject of the painting is a cat that, though he was in captivity, he was very intent on stalking my sister. (Which was odd, because I am usually the one who is stalked. 
) So… it was a nice opportunity to gather some wonderful references of a very intense cat. 
He was absolutely beautiful. I hope to do him justice in the painting. 
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December 13th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
[...] is the beginnings of the black leopard painting with the initial rendering of the fur. (The sketch post can be seen here.) There is much more to do on the piece of course, but the feel of the fur texture is in [...]
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I love your artwork!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m a wildlife artist myself and you may veiw
my artwork @ http://www.clarencestewart.com
I paint in acrylic medium and I would like to try watercolors…isn’t that
the medium you use? I am amazed a the the beautiful paintings you
have completed!!! I wanted to meet you at the Southern Wildlife Festival
but you were not there the year I went…disappointed!!
I think yor artwork is on the level of Robert Bateman and Carl Brender
which are my favorite artist.
Please email me back and let me know, what brand of paints you use.
The type of paint…Opague Goauche or Transparent. Please explain the layering of the color. My paints lift as I glaze over them in Watercolor and
that’s why I use Acrylic. What type of paper or board do you paint on?
Thank you for the information and again I love your beautiful artwork.
Clarence Stewart
February 6th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Your paintings are most beautiful. They are so realistic thry almost jump out of thier settings. They have a 3-D effect on my eyes.I just stumbled upon your site while looking at wildlife art.I don’t think I’ve seen paintings any more realistic than yours are. Thank you for making my eyes so happy Sincerely, Dennis Johnson
March 28th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Hi Clarence,
Thanks so much!!! Thanks for dropping by and sharing your work!!
(Sorry to take so long to respond…my messages sometimes pile up on me. 
)
Yes, I use watercolors. I paint with just about every watercolor paint that you can think of (..not kidding, either)…both opaques and transparent. I just use what it looks like it needs, and each painting is different. The paint is applied very delicately to the painting, which can take a while sometimes. I think it is similar to painting with acrylics. I work on hot press illustration board.
I used to use acrylics before I started painting in the watercolors again. I switched after studying with Carl Brenders. I recommend the book “More Wildlife Painting - Techniques of Modern Masters” by Susan Rayfield (published by Watson Guptill ISBN: 0-8230-5747-x ). It has an overview of his painting process.
Hope this helps - thanks again!
Best,
Rebecca (Karen & Bonnie, too
)
March 28th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Hi Dennis,
Thank you so much for your comment!
I really do appreicate it!!
I am always striving for dimension and reality in my paintings..and the detail of painting ‘in miniature’ that makes it appear as life-like as I can render it.
So glad you enjoy my work!!
Best,
Rebecca