Marsha Ingrao posted my acrylic painting of Lion Amid Flowers for her Story Chat Digest: Art and Puzzle Day here: https://alwayswrite.blog/2025/04/22/story-chat-digest-art-and-puzzle-day-1/
This is my reference photograph. It is my own picture which I took in early January at Babanango Private Game Reserve in South Africa.
This is the step-by-step process for this particular painting.
I started with a grid which I always use for drawing because I am a perfectionist and want all the details correctly to scale.
Next, I started painting the lion. I always do the animal first and then the background. I don’t jump around when I paint. I complete sections. I used a metallic acrylic gold paint for the eyes which made them a lot more dramatic than the original picture which I used as a guide with regards to details. I always start with the eyes of the animal as if those are wrong I don’t like the picture.
Once the lion was complete, I painted in the flowers, then the tree branch, and lastly the background which is blurred out by the camera. It was tricky. I painted the various colours of the background in sections.
Once I’d completed the background, I painted a coat of metallic white paint over the background parts to blur them. In the above photograph you can see when I’ve painted in the bottom left of the background.
Above is the final painting with the background and some of the grass blurred out with the metallic white paint. It is important to use the metallic paint as it is partially transparent and gives the ‘see through, blurred’ effect.
So, what do you think of this technique? Let me know in the comments.
If you are interested, here is my Youtube short of this painting:
Both the photo and the painting of it are excellent, Robbie. I have shared both posts on Twitter. Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete 💞🙏
Absolutely fantastic painting, Robbie, and it was fascinating to see your artistic process in a step-by-step way!
Thank you, Dave. I’m glad you found this post interesting 🤗
Thanks for sharing your techniques. I haven’t really painted in years, but my technique was very different. Anyway, the lion painting is great!
Hi Trent, I couldn’t find a technique by googling that I liked. I’d be interested to know what you did. My art teacher suggested brushing the edges across each patch before the paint dried but that didn’t give me this effect at all.
Lovely, Robbie! I don’t do gridlines which I know I should be doing. But somehow I can’t and it’s my flaw.
Everyone is different. Michael uses a cross so 4 squares. Do what works for you.
Really excellent result and fine tutorial. The choice of acrylics gives a sense of quiet power
Hi Derrick, acrylics is my favourite medium. I’ve tried several and painting draws me the most. Thank you for your lovely comment.
Wonderful work.
Thanks, Craig 😃
This is an amazing painting. The eyes make it so real. I love the technique you used. Well done! Your best yet.
Thank you, Darlene. Especially seeing as I changed the eyes quite a bit.
I love this, Robbie. When I was a kid, I used to paint by number with my grandmother. By the time you sketch it all out, that’s what the sketch reminds me of. If you could sketch me some pictures, I think I could paint them for you. It’s the sketching that is so exacting and difficult. I love this. I will post it on the puzzle and art page, but reference it in my other posts, too.
Hi Marsha, based on what I see at my various art classes and gatherings, the drawing is hard and time consuming for most people. For me the colours and the blending are the most time consuming. I’m pleased you enjoyed this post.
That is interesting, Robbie. I can see that would be hard, too. When I was a child, of course the picture was painted when all the blanks were filled with color. There were no nuances. We kind of made fun of my grandmother for hanging her artwork, to be honest with you. But it was like coloring, and as a pre-schooler, I thought it was great fun. Now I’m an art appreciator rather than an artist. 🙂 Great post!
Art is always fun with children 🌞
I always enjoyed it. Obviously Michael did, too!
Amazing Robbie! I love the lion, a lot.
Also, thank you for sharing your process! It is similar to how I do my portraits.
Still, I’m a lot clumsy with acrylics. Hugs!
Painting is different to drawing and dry mediums. Dry mediums are easier for me but painting obsesses me.
I need to try some more. I have acrylics, and have used them. Time to try again!
🌸💗
I find it extraordinary! There’s no way that I could do that. So beautiful, Robbie xx
Thank you, Jo. I’m so pleased you like this painting.
Fascinating!
Thank you, Dawn