I have called it Too Close partly because I was obviously far too close for Ta'iri's liking. The reference photo for this was snapped a split second before he launched himself at the bars of the cage, I almost ended up in a heap, the photo was worth the scare. The title also references the fact that as with many animals we are too close to seeing these beautiful creatures disappear. Seeing the big cats in very close quarters was a real eye opener for me, they are stunning, they look right into you and you are hooked, they are utterly captivating.
I took my reference photos of Ta'iri, Panthera Pardus Japonensis/North Chinese leopard at The Cat Sanctuary in Kent UK, it is well worth a visit.
The right eye
and the left eye....
Nose, mouth and those teeth.
Soft textures in the fur and on the ear.
Too Close
100% Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils
on white Pastelmat
40x50cm
My photo references