Since drawing the leopard I've been thinking about why I loved it so much and why I felt so inspired to keep going with it. I have been researching new reference photos and trying to discover what it is about the ones that grab me so much. I have come to the conclusion that I am totally in love with photographs taken in what photographers commonly refer to as 'The golden hour'. This is that time of day when the sun is just about to go down. If it's a clear sunny day, everything seems to take on a rich warm glow and the colours usually masked by the brilliance of the daytime light come to life. Whilst drawing the leopard and studying various images of them in this light I started to see more blues, purple and golden hues than I had in full daylight shots. When the light falls on these amazing beasts it gives a very striking appearance to their form and throws amazing contrast across them. Moreover, they themselves seem calmer and contemplative of the day that has been before them. The interplay between the intriguing mix of colour and light combined with the calm thoughtful expression on these cats is what I want to explore further. I think I have found it again in a few pictures of Jaguars, prep sketches have begun and I'm hoping to start a new big piece very soon.