Gorilla and Baby – Painting Process

 

Acrylic on Canvas       28  x 22 

This painting began with a loose charcoal sketch directly on the canvas. I like to keep the initial drawing spontaneous and fluid—too much precision at this stage can rob the animals of their life and movement. The goal is to capture gesture, not detail.

 

The reference comes from a photo I took at the zoo, during one of many quiet mornings spent observing. There was something about this mother carrying her baby that stuck with me—the baby’s gaze seemed to meet mine through the lens. That moment became the heart of the painting.

Next, I blocked in the shapes using very watered-down burnt sienna. This helps define the composition while giving a warm undertone that peeks through the final layers.

 

My palette is:

• Paynes Grey

• Burnt Sienna

• Raw Umber

• Yellow Ochre

• Brilliant Yellow Green

• Yellow Light

• Ultramarine Blue

• Titanium White

  
  
   

These muted tones reflect the feeling of early morning in the jungle—quiet, shaded, and full of soft light filtering through dense trees. The greens and ochres create a natural atmosphere without overwhelming the subjects.

 

As the painting progresses, I slowly build detail while trying to preserve that initial vitality. The bond between mother and child, and by extension the gorilla troop, is central to this piece. There’s a tenderness and a sense of quiet resilience I wanted to honor.

 

Side by Side – A Portrait of Lions

 

Oil on Canvas        9 x 12

This is a new painting of a lion pair—resting together, watchful and quiet. I’ve always found lions both majestic and melancholy. They sleep most of the day, but when they rise, they move with a grounded dignity that’s hard to describe.

When I was younger and first started visiting the zoo on my own, I’d always go straight to the lion enclosure. The male had a habit of standing near the front and letting out a deep roar—it sounded more like a hoarse cough than the Hollywood version of a roar, but it was unmistakable and unforgettable. I later learned this sound is part of how lions mark their territory and communicate with pride members. For me, it felt like a kind of declaration: “I’m here.”

I’ve read that lionesses do most of the hunting while the males help protect the pride’s territory. In the wild, they face many threats—habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans. It’s heartbreaking to know that there are now likely more lions in captivity than roaming freely in their natural habitats.

You may remember the tragic story of a lion named Cecil, lured out of a protected area and killed in a staged hunt by a trophy hunter. It shook many people, including me. What I felt most was grief for the loss of something irreplaceable—an animal just trying to live.

This painting is not meant to preach, just to pause. To honor their beauty, their lives, and their quiet rituals.