Welcome to the third part of my Win A Wildcat Charity Auction. Today I wanted to share more with you about how the Scottish Wildcats inspired my "The Highland Tiger" drawing and the process I went through to co-create him.
Plus learn how YOU can get involved in my online fine art auction!
Image with permission from Martin of Pixabay
A very warm welcome to Part Three of my short series all about wonderful Scottish Wildcats and my special online auction in support of them! Today I am going to share how I became inspired to create "The Highland Tiger" drawing and how I set about doing so.
If this is the first in my mini series you have seen please do also read my first post - Part One HERE to learn more about my silent charity online auction and how you can get involved, bidding to bring my Fine Art print "The Highland Tiger" into your home (or a special gift for a loved one).
The winning bid will support the Saving Wildlife Collaboration work with 100% of your winning bid donated. I have received several generous bids already, thank you so much to those of you that have bid! This auction ends at midday (UK) on November 10th 2024, so there is still time for you to take part. Read part one for all the details and to place your bid.
My Inspiration From Scottish Wildcats
If you've already watched my video (in my first blog post) you will have learnt that my ancestry has Scottish blood running very deeply through it, especially on my mother's side. My Mum was born in Elgin, Morayshire up in the North East Highlands and every year my childhood summer holidays were spent there with my lovely Scottish grandparents and family. It truly feels like home to me, I love the wildlife, land and people so much, I return as often as I can. Our clan name is McIntosh and our clan emblem is.... you guessed it.... the Scottish Wildcat. The clan motto is "Nev'r Touch The Cat Bot (without) A Glove". So naturally my love for this wild feline has always been very strong and even though I never saw any in the wild, as they are very secretive, I did see them at the Highland Wildlife Park and had an instant and visceral connection with them. For me they are not to be touched at all. They should be honoured and respected deeply for the wonderful beings that they are.
They are intensely proud and spirited, they will not accept any infringement on their boundary and will very vocally and physically let you know if you do! I love this and naturally feel only the upmost love, respect and honour for them. As with so many animals, humans can misunderstand them, projecting their own wounds and issues onto them and labelling them inaccurately.
I wanted to share through my art that these majestic felines are much more than keepers of their own boundaries and have a great deal to teach us. If you'd like to learn more about "who" they really are please do watch my Weekly Wildlife Wisdom episode "Scottish Wildcats - Honouring Independent Solitude" HERE
In my later years I began to learn more about the dreadful plight of this highly endangered wild cat. When I started my path as a professional artist I pledged to support all wildlife through donations and education. The Scottish Wildcat was a clear choice for me and became a part of my Wild Britain collection. For each and every piece of art I sell I donate at least 10% to carefully selected wildlife organisations that are working hard to protect wildlife in their natural habitat. In this case it is to Saving Wildcats.
So it felt totally natural to me to offer this fine art print auction for Saving Wildcats to support the vital work they are doing up in the Cairngorms National Park, close to Elgin and my family roots.
So How Did I Go About Creating Him?
I worked from a selection of photographic images, with permission. I began by making rough sketches of him, in pen (just because I like to!) and then I progressed to the actual piece. Using a 2H graphite pencil I carefully drew (by eye) the outline of the piece - which sometimes happens first attempt and sometimes take a little longer! Lots of deep breathing required. This piece I achieved my outline with only a few adjustments.
Then, once I was happy with the outline, I began to colour match (I don't aim for photo realism, that's not my thing) to match reasonably and realistically to my subject. Once I had got all my colours selected I began to apply the layers of colour. For this piece I started with his head creating his expression, especially through his eyes. This is my favourite part of the whole process, to share a glimpse of their soul. I become very quiet within and tune into their soul, this is co creating.
I asked respectfully for his guidance (energetically) to bring forth his unique energy and wisdom into the piece for viewers to feel and connect with. My deep passion is sharing the beauty and wisdom of each animal so that as many others as possible connect deeply with them and remember how precious, needed and connected they are to us. When we love someone we will act to protect and care for them.
I moved gradually and carefully across the rest of his body, erasing the pencil outline as I went and referred constantly to my reference photographs, colour matching, fur direction and length following and noting how the light and shadow falls. With oil based pencils I can't blend a great deal so it is very important to add fur strands mindfully and to ensure you add an accurate combination of colour as you progress.
I always listen to music when I am creating my art too. Mainly, my favourite band - Elbow, who always put me into a lovely calm, focused presence, the best space for co creating my art.
I think this piece took me about 25 hours in total to complete. I never rush and I take as many days as needed. Once I had finished him I took the original to my local professional printers who created a state of the art scan, so that my fine art prints are as close to the original as possible and can be printed to gigclee standard, which is really important to me. I want each piece to be the highest quality so that you can enjoy them for many years to come, not just a throw away print but a valued and beloved recreation that is as close to the original as possible.
So, there you go, a little more about my inspiration and how I went about co creating this special piece. I hope you have enjoyed hearing more about it.
If you would like to support Saving Wildcats work, as well as bringing my fine art print into your home (or gifting to a loved one) please do go over to my first post now to learn how you can do this simply - via my silent online charity auction HERE
I'll be back on the 10th November with my final part in this mini series where I will share who has been the successful bidder! It could be YOU if you place your bid before midday on the 10th November! So do watch out for it.
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