CGAN Zodiac Challenge - Leo - Finals

Yay, a finals thread. And I might be first one here unless someone sneaks in while I do this super-fast, correctly spelled typing.

1: Pencil.
2: Gouache.

And now a little bit of Photoshop...



As someone who only ever sees the sky from about 50degN it seems odd to have Leo at that angle but hopefully it's about right for the African plains. If not ... sue me.

Hurray! Finally a finals thread

I love this zodiac challenge!

WIP 1 - first steps
WIP 2 - the wrong body
WIP 2 - almost done

My lion is a bit of the zodiac lion as he is presented in the original story with a touch of Graógramán, the colored death of Neverending Story

Ok Leo Challenge accepted and finished !

Going to keep it simple this time, this is going out to Cecil

Wip 1

Wip 2

Wip 3

CherryGraphics:
I do like your use of colour here especially having such a variety of hues. There's a wonderful rainbow-like radiance to the picture and the way you've linked the vibrant glow from the sky into the lion's mane creates a consistent unity to the image and you continue that with the swirling lines of the mane and the similar curves in the encircling magic and then again in the motifs within the ornate frame. It creates a sense of movement that leads your eye to explore every corner of the picture. The legs now provide a more sturdy foundation for his proud extended pose but I think it could be slightly improved by a softer graduation between the darker shaded form of the legs and the shining glow of the head. That cutoff point at the bottom of the mane seems a little harsh when compared to the softer flow elsewhere but I do think the idea of that transition was a good one that creates a sense of transcendence from the earthly rocks and body to the magical glow of the stars above.

Microscopi:
It took you quite a while to evolve the right idea and composition but it was worth the wait. The formality of the way this image is presented, with the bold geometric shapes of the rectangular frame containing the circle and the starburst, really suits this type of theme. You've combined all the classic Zodiac symbolism in a coherent and stylish way and the glow where the radial lines intersect the frame looks fantastic. The lion head at the centre of the fiery sun is nicely done, the light catching the eyes is just right and the shading that describes the short fur around his face is simple and accurate, matching the style of the rest of the painting. The only critique I would offer is that the mane at the top of the head looks a little neat like a cropped haircut. Some longer messier strands would give it more of a wild animal look, but the face and expression are so good that I keep expecting it to turn to us and roar like at the start of an MGM movie. And lions don't get better than that so for that reason this one sneaks the win for me.

Mercurycat:
A really nice depiction of a family in the wild. The male lion has a powerful dominant presence like a sphinx, appearing aloof as he oversees all of his lands and the cub has a needy eagerness and bounce to it as stretches up to meet the gaze of its mother. It's a three-way interaction that is all the better for its subtlety and that subtlety continues more literally into the way you've painted and suggested the receding landscape. I think the crop on the mother is a little too tight, extending the canvas to the left would allow you to include more of her body to balance the family and the composition and give you an opportunity to show more of that great landscape.

Susie1981:
Fierce, aggressive and in your face! This is a Leo that you don't want to mess with. Even though it's just a loose first sketch there's potential in the image and the deep lines show the tension and energy in the snarl. I would love to have seen how you would expand the canvas to show the mane and the surroundings and to see what exactly he's protecting as he scares us away with that ferocity.

Hurray another challenge to vote for!
micro: yep this is great. focused on the most important thing: the lion's head. I liked the first WIP with the big big mountain but the lion was too tiny so this is a nice way you've changed it slowly from tiny to biiiig. So I'm curious how you'll do the other zodiac the same style - if you do the same style.

Val: I'm really impressed by the way you've chosen at first with pencil and gouache. And the paw is now really much better Just the bluish night scene ... on the one hand I like it because it's different but otherwise... In my opinion the LEO deserves a more brighter, warmer color. Maybe this is the point micro gets the point this time. ^^

Three great entries. Shame I couldn't finish mine as well, but there we go. I love that each one has a different expression and color set.

Good work you guys.

Tough challenge as it comes down to me and Cherry and Val again..And you guys usually beat me!

Cherry: Amazing style, the colors and style surrounding yours stands out because of the warm colors and all the small details like the swirling leaves, down too the golden vines, all go really great together.

Val: You have a interesting take on the theme for sure with the darker colder tone. Although I must say the lion looks pretty awesome, you did an outstanding job there.

Been sick for a little while or would comment more, going to go back to my bowl of chicken soup now.