When I began The Huntress, I only had a close reference of a lioness illuminated by beautiful afternoon light. There was very little surrounding landscape to work with, so I built the rest of the scene from my Imagination and experience, creating an open African plain that would compliment her quiet strength. I wanted the vast grasslands to emphasize her solitude and purpose, capturing that fleeting moment when a lioness stops, completely focused on some movement that caught her eye up ahead.
Every element of the composition was designed to reinforce that feeling of quiet anticipation. I placed the horizon so it runs right through her line of sight, drawing the viewer directly into her unwavering gaze. The tall grasses part gently around her as though she has paused mid-step, while the distant trees and gathering storm clouds frame the scene without distracting from the true focal point. There is no roar or sudden movement--only the silent confidence of a hunter whose patience is every bit as powerful as her strength.
Although the background was largely created from imagination, I carefully balanced the landscape using complimentary colors and strong directional light. The strongest being the golden yellow on her chest to face and the purple storm clouds. The reds and green and the blue sky and warm oranges are used throughout the painting creating harmony within the painting. Rather than relying on excessive detail, I used soft transitions and controlled shading to model the lioness's form, allowing the light on her chest and face to become the brightest and most compelling feature of this composition. The result is a painting that celebrates not only beauty of the African lion, but also the quiet intensity that defines the hunt.
