Original artwork description:

A pastel painting of a male orangutan staring directly at the viewer.

I really enjoyed the complimentary colours in this painting. The orange of the hair contrasts well against the blue tones of his skin.

I started this, like all of my artworks, by using pastels to lightly paint a loose impression of the subject on the paper surface. I then spend many hours creating and embellishing the details with a combination of pastel pencils and soft pastel sticks.

The challenge with each piece is to let the viewer see something of the life behind the image. To do this, I try to capture the play of light in the eyes and the sense of movement in the body.

It constantly amazes me how slightly differing patterns of pencil marks can convey an animal’s emotion.

The subject must “come to life” before I am satisfied and can call it complete.

This artwork is unframed.

Ref Photo: Thanks to Edwin Butter and Wildlife Reference Photos

Shipping Note: International shipping times have improved, but are still being affected by COVID. While I will endeavour to post artworks promptly, Australia Post advises there may still be delays to some countries.

Materials used:

Soft pastel and pastel pencil on Clairefontaine Pastelmat.

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