Fables de la Fontaine. Book in Progress (post 14)
Rooooarrrr!
Yay! Mister Lion from The Lion and the Mouse is here!
Now that he has joined the crew I feel as if I have known him forever. Making the exact Lion that I envisioned was great! I took my mind to interesting places for inspiration. My main source of inspiration was a lion that used to live at the Camaguey Zoo in Cuba. He was old and very quiet, I never heard him roar, not even once. I remember people yelling and throwing stuff at him but there he was, quiet and patient. I felt such a connection with him. People’s lack of sensibility made me mad, but he was just so calm about it. I could imagine him thinking: poor people out there, they think that I’m stupid but I think that it’s the other way around. I’m not going to get mad at them, I’m just sorry that they’re so lost.
The moral from The Lion and the Mouse fable is that mercy brings its reward (the lion) and that there is no being so small that it cannot help a greater (the mouse). So I needed to represent a good lion able to exercise mercy. I wanted him to have a more adult presence but with a nice childlike touch.
Believe it or not the key element was: the eyes. I made some large eyes in the beginning, then medium size but they didn’t work at all. Then I made these tiny eyes and he became instantly what I was looking for. You know, like people who wear glasses that make their eyes look a lot smaller. That effect makes people look smart and more mature.
To give my lion a little bit of power look I made him a simple vest and a respectable hat. A police hat (sort of) with a tiny crown badge on the front because he’s the king. Now he’s complete and almost ready to jump into the stage (which is in the process of being cut).
And now: I will start making the teeny tiny little mouse. I am loving the very idea! 
Read Post #15 Start from the beginning
Thank you for posting your progress and your thoughts behind each decision. Such beautiful work, amazing details, total eye candy! Excited to see your teeny tiny little mouse! Also very excited to buy your book and share it with my family.
Increíble, chica! Me encanta tu ‘papeles’…ellos como unos sueños. Besos! xo Sara
the eyes really do say it all
Elsa, these illustrations are amazing! I love every one of the characters you’ve created and the theater sets are gorgeous. I also really enjoy reading about your process and inspiration for each piece. Looking forward to following your progress in the posts to come…
Jayme, what a great honor is to read your comment. You’re an inspiration to me. I absolutely love your paper creations. Thanks a lot!
OMG!
It’s almost 7:00 PM over here. The tiny mouse that goes with the lion is almost finished. I looooove!!!! It’s sooo tiny! I can’t wait to show it to you tomorrow!
Oh, he’s so handsome and kind! I think the eyes are perfect, and the hat is brilliant. Bravo, Elsita! Can’t wait to see his mouse companion.
There’s a Stylish Blogger Award for you over at mine. You’re awesome ^-^
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This lion is perfect! I couldn’t imagine anything better or more fitting. I am completely fascinated watching these illustrations come together. And I think designing fabric for spoonflower is a fabulous idea!!
Wow, it really IS about the eyes! You chose the perfect ones! I really like your lion, beautiful and majestic!
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A lot of things is not as easy as it seems, only can do is original himself.
Plato said: the first was crying because you’re not, the second laughing because meet you, third smiling tears because can’t have you.
There is noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made sure nice points in features also.
I believe tears at a funeral are all those the one who died never got to cry while alive. We finish cleansing their soul when we cry.
Cute! You give us always inspiration.