[ImmyWimmy1]

A little story to set the scene…

The wild winds howled over rock and through the falling snow that now plagued the mountains. Chilling moans filled the valleys like pools of water. At this time of year there was very little to hear their cries. The chill had caused most of the vegetation below to wilt and store their energy in the warmer roots below ground. Hardy evergreens were all that was left now, but the waxy cuticles that kept out the ice left them too tough to sustain most other forms of life. In fact most creatures had the sense to hunker down or leave. The larger herbivores had been driven out by a lack of food, undertaking an arduous journey across paths forged by their ancestors, as had most of the birds. Other creature had created dens beneath the think blankets of snow, sleeping through the harshest part of the year to conserve their energy. Only those with specialist adaptations for such a place remained, even then confined to the lower valleys. No creature in their right mind would ever venture into the mountains at this time of year. Not unless they were driven there by… something else…

Atop a plateau peppered with snow and bare rock he stood. The deep blue eyes of the young male tignix surveyed the scene from his vantage point, keeping alert to any changes in the environment. His keen eyes could detect the slightest stumble of an ibex or the trot of a fox, even through the cascade of frozen water crystals. He'd remembered following his father up here on a patrol once, many years ago. The adolescent male had grown bored of his sisters' folly as they played and desired adventure further afield. His father had been reluctant to allow him to tag along at first, but after being pestered with copious yowls and bats from his son's paws he relented and allowed him to follow. It took him a while to navigate and contend with the various boulders and patches of ice they encountered, but the patient father would always stop to allow him to catch up. The male could remember how in awe he had felt at the sight of the valley below him. Then it had been spring and, whilst there was still snow on the high peaks, the valley below them was alive with activity. But what had really caught his attention was seeing his mum hunting below them. She moved so quickly and almost matched the ibex for speed across the steep cliff. Eventually a young female had tripped and allowed the female tignix to claim her prize. The cub’s father let out a chuff of relief, knowing that there would be something to eat tonight. The younger male had never felt more proud to be part of this family.

And now he stood there in winter's grip, without his father by his side. Nor could he see his mother chasing prey along the steep cliff edges. Not even his sisters were nearby. Instead he stood alone, hesitation preventing him from venturing further. He had not long since made his decision. He could picture the rest of his family now: huddled in the winter den, below the tree line, warm and as comfortable as these harsh conditions could allow. Of course he could have chosen to stay with them. The family unit would have provided him with the security of food and protection. He would have had company and affection too: his mother knew all the spots where he liked to be scratched. Life would have been easy. Easy, but incomplete. Like all tignix of the mountain subspecies, the young male had soon come to realise that staying with his own family would mean he could never have a family of his own. He could never choose his own mate nor father his own cubs. His own parents struggled to keep the existing family going, so any other tignix would be driven out or worse. If he wanted his own family he had to leave, and his instincts spurred him on to do so. When he left his father was furious, seeing his choice as an act of betrayal. He drove his own son out of the winter den whilst his mother had stayed to guard it. He fled into the mountains, knowing his father wouldn't follow him too far as not to leave his mate guarding the territory alone. Even after he knew his father and had turned back he kept climbing the hill side, heading for the safety of the plateau.

But as he now stood on the plateau he had realised his error. Choosing to leave now instead of the spring was foolish. For now he was alone at the most difficult time for any creature of the mountains to be alone. When competition for hunting grounds was at its toughest and food at its most scarce. When dens were hard to come by and warmth a luxury. He had let his instincts win. He should have stayed. At least until the spring when there were more resources. It would be easier to find his own territory in better conditions. But now he was stranded, cold and in isolation. If he tried to go back now he would be regarded as an outsider and would be treated accordingly. The tignix looked for any signs of food on the mountainside, but of course there was nothing there. Not this high up at this time of year. Eventually all he could do was stare blankly into the distance, lost in anxious thought.

So what happens now?

~~~


This piece started off on Tuesday as a vent piece to help me work through some stuff. I couldn't finish it as it got to 11pm, so it's had to wait for a few days before I added some final touches. I believe it's the first time I've used my tablet and not a mouse to draw a big cat digitally and I've still got a long way to go before I get the technique down. I'm not overly happy with the legs (lower legs especially) and ideally I would have liked to have drawn the fur blowing in the wind (I know from experience mountain tops are very windy! XD ) Plus I still can't draw shading OR landscapes for toffee. I have an even longer way to go as far as both of those are concerned! XD

I won't change this particular piece, but ALL constructive criticism is welcome to help me improve any pieces I may create in the future. Thank you! ^u^ <3 xxx

This guy is a tignix, an adoptable species I run. If you wanted to find out more you can click on the link or one of the gifs in my signature.

~~~

I'll admit I've always been hoping to get to 'feature-level' someday, but to actually make it this far (after only starting digital artwork five years ago and owning a tablet for under a year) was a genuine surprise. Thank you to whoever suggested this to be featured and to all of the people whose love and support encouraged me not to give up. I couldn't have come this far without you all! ^u^ <3

Regardless, as I am still seeking to improve I would still appreciate constructive criticism if people have any. Feel free to PM it to me if you don't want to post criticism here. I promise I don't bite unless you steal my ice cream and chocolate. XD <3

~~~


References used: for the head | for the legs, shoulders and hips | for the torso, abdomen and tail | for the 'clouded' markings | for the background

[*JACKAL*]

This is amazing!

[ImmyWimmy1]

This is amazing!

Thank you for your kind words! :3 <3

[LovetheHoly]

This is really cool!

[~Tornado~]

This is absolutely stunning oh my word <3

[ImmyWimmy1]

This is really cool!

This is absolutely stunning oh my word <3

Thank you both for the compliments! ;u; <3

If anybody does find something to critique please let me know. I really do find it useful! <3 xxx

[QuiverandArrow]

I love the snow! And the story. Its very creative and i just love it too much omlorch


Congrats on that feature!


(Would you tell me the secrets of the snow?)

[ImmyWimmy1]

I love the snow! And the story. Its very creative and i just love it too much omlorch


Congrats on that feature!


(Would you tell me the secrets of the snow?)

Thank you so much for your kind words! It really means a lot to me to have so much support! ;u; <3

I created the falling snow with the pen tool set to maximum 'spacing' and 'scatter' (keeping the 'round soft' setting on) in a separate layer. Using various pen sizes helped me to create a sense of depth (between sizes 6 and 2 for a canvas of this size.) For the ground snow I just reduced the spacing and scattering and added the snow layer on the each individual mountain layer (there were about four mountain layers in the end? I haven't gone back to check! XD )

I also tried to make the snow slightly off-white, as this creates a more natural feel (at least it does to me.) I added a small tinge of blue too, for a more atmospheric effect.

I hope this helps! <3

~~~


I'll admit I've always been hoping to get to 'feature-level' someday, but to actually make it this far (after only starting digital artwork five years ago and owning a tablet for under a year) was a genuine surprise. Thank you to whoever suggested this to be featured and to all of the people whose love and support encouraged me not to give up. I couldn't have come this far without you all! ^u^ <3

Regardless, as I am still seeking to improve I would still appreciate constructive criticism if people have any. Feel free to PM it to me if you don't want to post criticism here. I promise I don't bite unless you steal my ice cream and chocolate. XD <3

[Catkitten1200]

Ok, I am going to be honest.
I was going to find some helpful criticism, but..
I CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE THEIR IS NONE!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't be able to do that,even on. a computer! It really is amazing. (I have no art so I can't compare!!XD)
I

[Unleashed Squiid]

This is so gorgeous!!! I love when people draw these beauties because it's so rare and my favorite animal!