Unleashed (2019) Original Watercolour by Oliver Plehn

The inspiration for this work lies in the tiger’s extraordinary combination of power, agility and grace. I wanted to capture a fleeting moment in which the animal’s entire body becomes movement, suspended between strength and weightlessness.

I used watercolour and ink to bring this impression to life. The fluid washes of warm orange and ochre create the tiger’s muscular form, while the spontaneous, sometimes rough ink lines emphasise its energy and the direction of its leap. Rather than aiming for photographic realism, I allowed the drawing to retain a sense of immediacy and freedom.

What makes this piece special to me is the contrast between the animal’s physical power and the lightness of its movement. The tiger seems to cross the paper in a single, uninterrupted gesture, giving the work a sense of vitality and spontaneity.

Materials used:

Watercolor and ink

Details:

• Watercolour on Paper
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 28 x 21 x 0.1cm (unframed)
• Signed on the front
• Style: Expressive and gestural
• Subject: Animals and birds