Wild Divide

Wild Divide

This painting was an exploration of contrast, not through colour, but through technique. Although both halves of this duo canvas set share the same background colours, I wanted each side to feel completely different.

Behind the jaguar, I used smooth, flowing brush strokes to create a calmer, more controlled feel, while the cheetah’s side is made up of rougher, more textured strokes that bring a sense of energy and movement. I then paired that approach with the animals themselves. The jaguar was painted with smooth, delicate brushwork to capture its strength and elegance, whereas the cheetah was created using looser, more expressive strokes that add character and a feeling of speed.

Before I ever picked up a brush, I digitally combined photographs of both animals, carefully aligning their eyes, nose and facial features so they blended into a single portrait. That digital planning allowed me to transfer the design onto the canvased while keeping the transition between the two species as seamless as possible.