The Art Institute of Chicago has these giant bronze lions on either side of the steps leading to the main entrance. People sit on the steps and read between the lions when the weather is nice. As for me… I stand across the street and draw them. And of course, the woman on the steps was talking on her cell phone instead of reading, thus messing up my very clever title. Maybe I should have gone with a telephone-related title like ‘Hold the Lion’ or ‘The Lion is Busy’?
This lion is the one on the north side of the entrance. His unofficial name (given to him by the sculptor) is ‘On the Prowl’. When one of our home teams is in the playoffs, the lions are dressed in team jerseys. They even have super-size helmets for the lions for football season. Since it isn’t playoff season, the lions are naked.
I did the line drawing during lunch this afternoon and painted it when I got home this evening. There was just barely enough time to eat, walk over there, draw, and walk back. But the weather was really nice today, so I felt like I had to take advantage of it. People hovered around and looked over my shoulder. I could hear them whisper to each other, “Ooh, he’s drawing the lion!” It was, simultaneously, nerve-wracking and exhilarating.
This was real challenge for me for a few reasons: 1. I am intimidated by drawing living things, even if (as in this case) that living thing is not really a living thing; 2. Mostly related to number 1, I actually included a human being in this sketch; and 3. I had to paint from memory so I was left to my own devices with respect to color and shadow. The lion’s looking a little chubby, but overall, I’m happy with how this came out.
I have to agree with you Jeff, it turned out really nice, and it’s such a clever title too
That the only time I ever sketch in public…people are way too intrusive for me, I like my little bubble. :p
I only did a little random sketch of a chinese dragon once when I was on a train to another city to catch a plane to Oslo… the lady sitting beside me was reading her magazine but I swear I could feel her head sticking out a few times over my shoulder and that wasn’t easy for me.
I like the Lion guarding the place—very good job on the sketch—I went to Google images to check the place out more as I recall it from my childhood as a place I wanted to go—now you’ve brought it back and your writing was so interesting. I found some pearl type earings in the institute’s gift shop just now, called Landscape that were to die for—as if that’s pertinent…:-)
Great Lion. Made me wonder if there is any specific meaning to Lions and Librairies since they also guard the entrance to the New York Public Library.
Great drawing and I love to hear the story behind it and your thoughts along the way . You should be very happy with this
Nice drawing. My husband and I are visting family in Chicago this week. We’re going downtown today to the Ar Institute. I’ve always enjoyed seeing the lions at the front entry.
Beautiful drawing and good story. It is fun to see that the lions are being dressed and participate in the city life. Art and the every day life.
I also find it a challenge to draw in public and I use a small sketchbook, can’t imagine doing it with easel, umbrella, paint box…
I had to smile when I saw this. I’ve been meaning to get back to the Art Institute for so long now. I just love that place. Very nice job!
Nicely done! Great job on remembering colors too. Also kudos on drawing people outside, in public and in kind of a hurry. Believe it or not, it was the title of your post that intrigued me enough to go here first.
Keep on drawing!
Oh! I’d be interested in seeing how you might draw a person walking past the Sears Tower, that included the Sears Tower all the way to the top. I was just learning about 3 point perspective-worm’s eye view – and would have to travel a good long way to find a building tall enough to practice on. Just if you are ever in need of a drawing idea some time….
LOVE this!!! What a great painting! I’m from Chicago and really miss it lately, thanks for brightening my day
Wonderful story and beautiful painting! You should be happy with this one!
Like a lion you took on the challenge, faced it and were not eaten by it. The seated figure shows the promise of more humans in your drawings. Good on you mate.
Just killing some in between class time on Digg and I discovered your article . Not usually what I choose to examine, but it was completely value my time. Thanks.