Drawing Jaguars

Source:

Google search for "Jaguars." The last page only has original drawings.

Lessons Learned:

-It's really good to pay attention to what kind of spots go where. On the head, there are small spots general, with some big ones on the cheeks. Around the chest and inside front legs, there are spots big and small, as well as stripes. Starting around the shoulder are the small rosettes, continuing into the BIG rosettes around the stomach. Around the lower hind legs are the stomata shaped rosettes. And the tail descends back into small groups of dots. There's so many varieties! I especially like the shape of the BIG rosettes.

- Those spots can really define give shape to a surface if manipulated to fit the perspective properly. If most of the spots are round, then bunching them and turning them more oval in one direction can give the impression of a curved surface.

-Putting the hind legs of cats is a bit tricky, I find. I think I have a tendency to flatten them, but really, they are very muscular and should bulge appropriately.

-The flabby bits around the belly and elbows of the front legs are interesting. There are no real harsh endings and beginnings where the limbs meet the body. There are always fleshy bits that scrunch up and form folds.

-Finally, I don't know if anyone else does this, but when drawing a carnivore yawning/roaring, I sometimes don't draw the far cheek because I imagine you wouldn't be able to see it (see third page down). But really, it should be there. Unless the animal is really profile, like the one on the 4th page down. It just looks so much better when I added that. I'll have to remember that.