Zebra Crossing

Phew!! I sometimes wonder at my anal retentive mind.

I seem to be a sucker for punishment but after doing this very complicated and tedious composition in front of my TV last night, I am quite chuffed that I can actually see the zebras.
One can get horribly lost in all the stripes.

I drew this freehand on velour paper too, no transfer drawing as with most of my figure attempts. Don't know why, just wanted more angst in my life, I guess. LOL

I went to an open plain zoo just out of Austin quite a few years ago, where you drive around in cars, and if you are lucky, zebras and camels etc, will come right up to your vehicle. As I recall even a buffalo came up and poked his head inside my car.

Of course I was a snapping (photos that is) fool, with my great love of animals and awe of nature.

I began with pastel pencils on this one, and then nudged some of the highlights and darker values with chalk pastels.

It was a wonderful escape from the figures for a while and also disciplined me to stay with a monochromatic palette.