Sixteen:

Using a mix of Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber and a drop or two of Quinacridone Violet, I get a nice sort of dark, purplish color which is ideal for detailing the gums and around the teeth as well as adding a bit of depth and detail around the nose and ear.

Having finished adding depth to all the darker areas, this is the point at which I begin to add the contrast with the lighter colors. Individually, I use a 10:1 mix of Titanium White and Hansa Yellow Light (highlights in the fur, eyes and nose) and the same mix ratio with Titanium White and Anthraquinone Blue (depth in the White areas of fur to further the illusion of hair, and also as contrast in certain areas such as the bridge of the nose/muzzle) and also Titanium White and Violet Oxide (both as highlights in the white fur and on the nose and tongue) and finally Titanium White to strengthen some of the white areas of fur into the foreground.

Eighteen:

I use a 1:1 mixture of Dioxazine Purple and Carbon Black to create a ‘deep black’ that will be used over certain areas of the original dark under-painting. The contrast between the original under-painting and this "deep black" creates the perception of depth in the fur in the area of the dark spots that would not be there if one just painted ‘black spots’ instead. This "deep black" is also applied to certain dark areas such as those around the eye and the inside of the nose, and around the mouth and gums. I go back with Titanium White to add the final whiskers and outstanding hair strands that will overlap certain black areas, and finish up using Carbon Black for the pupil in the eye closest to the viewer, on the area of dark fur on the lower jaw, and most important, to add the ‘signature’ of the Jaguar depicted; “Maya"

The paw print was provided by Maya, and a stencil was cut from a tracing made of that paw print, thus making this an ‘authorized’ portrait.

The last detail; Using Titanium White, I add the highlight in the eye and the small drops of moisture in and around the eye and nose.

Golden Fluid Acrylics blended with Golden Airbrush Medium do not require heat-setting for launderability, while equaling the performance of fabric paints that do. The "top binder" is basically insurance, and heat-setting will speed the curing time required and may increase launderability.

Done!