Lucas the Lucky Lion.
In a faraway land that was known as Zion,
lived Lucas, the exceedingly lucky little lion.
No matter the game – played morning or afternoon,
Lucas the lion was always the most opportune.
He seemed to be blessed
with the very best success.
And never did he possess
even the teeniest bit of stress.
Lucas knew he was king
of kickball and juggling.
This extremely lucky lion was tops at kicking balls and batting.
He even stole the show when dribbling, dunking, and passing.
But the thing that made Lucas the luckiest of all –
the skill that made him so very exceptional…
Was Lucas the Lucky Lion’s quintessential charm.
For there wasn’t a friend or foe he couldn’t charismatically disarm.
************************************************
Lucas the Lion is a special surprise for one of my BFs. I was looking for recommendations on what to paint after taking a little break for the holidays, and she requested a Lucas the Lion and Harper the Hippo for her two grandchildren, who are fans of Klaus the Mouse.
I thought you might like to see a bit of the process I go through for a painting.
First I draw a pencil sketch.
Once I am happy with a design, I either redraw in pencil on watercolor paper or use a light box to trace the basic outline.
If the pencil markings are too dark, I then use a kneaded putty eraser to lighten up the lines. If needed, I use some masking fluid to preserve any areas I want to assure stay white.
I then consider colors using my watercolor swatch charts, choose a few brushes I may use, fill my water bucket, and assure paper towels and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponge are handy.
I am then ready to put on my first wash of paint.
After the first wash is dry, I rub off the masking fluid, and I begin adding layers, allowing to dry as necessary until I am happy with the painting.
Once my original is finished, I take the best photo I can of it for printing. Most all of my paintings are available in our McKinneyX2Design Etsy shop in prints (sizes 11×14, 8×10, and 5×7 – matted or not) and greeting cards, like below. For those friends who are local, my daughter-in-law (who makes beautiful rustic wood pallet signs) and I also have our art on display and available at Berry Vine Gifts in BradfordWoods, PA. You can find all of our information here.
Look for Harper the Happy Hippo in my next post here at The CreativeLifeInBetween, which is scheduled to post Tuesday.
By the way, if you are interested in a custom watercolor painting of an animal character for a child you love, you can order via our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop at this link. Let me know the child’s name and the animal you would like. It will be an 11×14 original watercolor painting. If you would like an original rhyming poem to go with it, that can also be ordered for an additional charge. It will come printed on an 8.5×11 sturdy cardstock sheet that can also be framed. Please allow two weeks for any custom orders.
My artwork can also be made into pillows and clocks and coasters and mugs and tote bags and a lot of other fun things – all available at Society6. Let me know if there is a piece you like that I should add there.
I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of this new year and settling back into your normal routines after the busy holiday season. It was good to undecorate from the holidays yesterday and find time to paint again.
Happy Sunday!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
so cute and i love his poem )
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Thanks Beth! He is quite the disarmingly charming little guy 🙂
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Seeing the process was fun!
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Glad you enjoyed Kathy!
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Wow Jodi this was fantastic post. I loved Lucas the adorable Lion and so nice to see your soft colors and drawings. Too good. Thanks for the beautiful share.
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Awww! Thanks Kamal! Appreciate you, and so glad you enjoyed!
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Welcome Jodi. A great artist you are. Great.
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You are so so kind!
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Thanks Jodi
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I can’t thank you enough! It is so cute with his poem. I had no clue what the process was. I enjoyed seeing it. Your thoughtfulness, hard work and love shine right through Lucas the Lucky Lion’s eyes. I love you, friend!
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I hope your were feeling the loving vibes yesterday as I so enjoyed creating this special guy for you!! I was thinking of you and your family and especially little “Pupas” when I created this. It will be coming your way soon. Hopefully it will serve as a reminder of how much his Bubbie loves him and what a special little guy he is! Love you!! ❤
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Lucas is so adorable!! ❤️❤️
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Thanks so much Patty!!
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You created a masterpiece fit for a children’s book, Jodi. The lion is truly adorable with a delightful poem. I found it interesting to see the process of its creation.
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Thank you SOOO much Peter! Your kindness always warms my heart ❤
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Good Morning Jodi, what a charming fellow. Lucas the Lion will be be loved by your friends grandchildren. How fun to see your process for creating. Have a beautiful Sunday.
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Thanks Sharon! I loved learning about your process. You are such an inspiration and encourager!! Thank you!!
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Thank you Jodi, that is so kind of you to say. The same is coming right back from you, too.
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Oh my, Lucas the Lion is adorable and so is the poem! You are so creative! I loved seeing the process you took to create him! Happy New Year Jodi!
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Thanks so much PJ! He was a “labor” of love ❤
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He turned out so precious!
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Beautiful work, Jodi! 🙏🏻❤️
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Thanks so much John!
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Oh Jodi, Lucas the Lion is too adorable!! What a cute pillow for a child’s room! Your friend is going to be over the moon!
Jenna
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Thanks so much Jenna!!! I do like how he turned out on the pillow too 🙂
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WOW! Lucas the Lion is just adorable!! What talent!
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Thanks so much!!!
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Everything about this amazes me. The process. The patience! The skill. The love. All of it.
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AWWWW 🙂 Thanks Colleen!!! ❤
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You’re very welcome Jodi 🙂
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So cute! Loved to see your process!😊💕
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Thanks! and glad you enjoyed!
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I love the absolutely adorable Lucas – especially on the pillow! Thanks for sharing the process too! Going now to read about how you use Mr Clean Magic Eraser…I’m intrigued! :o)
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Thanks! Magic Erasers are great for cleaning up OOPSes in watercolor! 🙂
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So interesting to see how you work and the materials you use. Thank you Jodi!
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Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
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It is great to see the progression… like a small painting lesson!
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glad you enjoyed!
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The eyes on your paintings are always so expressive! GOOD JOB!
Dick and Lois
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Awww! thanks you two! Love ya!!
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I mentioned it on IG, but had to here as well… Lucas is awesome! So much personality and I can hep but smile! 😃💕
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Awww – thanks so much Charlie! I really appreciate! ❤ Glad he made you smile 🙂
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Lucas the lion is adorable! You are very creative, my friend. ❤️😁
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Awww! Thanks so much Mary!!
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☺️
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Jodi, Lucas the Lion is adorable. I love the way you made him look so happy! Made me smile. Lucas was a great 2019 start for your painting. Look forward to Hippo! 📚 Christine
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Awww! Thanks Christine! He was so fun to create!
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Great post Jodi. Thanks for sharing your process for how you create your masterpieces !
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Thanks Gary. Glad you enjoyed.
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Fun. Great post! Great paintng, great poem. Love the pillow. Fuzzy pillow or blanket would be wonderful too.
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Thanks Dena! It was fun to do!!
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A lovely fun watercolour Jodi – perfect for your friends grandchildren! And nice to see your process too – I’m always interested to watch how people work…
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Thanks so much Evelyn. I enjoy seeing others’ processes as well!
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So much fun to see Lucas appear. He is a handsome fellow! (K)
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Thanks kerfe!
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Lucus the Lion is charming indeed!! ❤️🦁 Perhaps another book for your grandchildren is in need? Your art and joy are always well received… Keep being YOU and you will succeed!! 💗😘xo
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Love it!!!! 😉❤️
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Wow I love seeing your process! Such an adorable Lion
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Thanks Lynn! Good to hear from you!
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Good to be back
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I took a break too. 😉
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Lucas is darling, and thank you so much for sharing the process you used to create him. As someone who doens’t know how to paint, I found that just fascinating!
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Glad you enjoyed Ann! Thanks!
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What a sweet lion Lucas is, Jodi … and what a fun life he leads … great to see how he evolved into the magnificent king he is! Wishing you a blessed, wonderful and creative 2019! Anita 🙂
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Aww! Thanks Anita!! 🙂 Same to YOU!
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Supporting actor for the hippo😎
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LOL – Yep – and in real life too 🙂
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Benjamin and I are behind on your posts, a fact that he mentioned upon seeing both posts amidst my inbox. So, we started here with this beguiling little lion. Benjamin is just as fascinated by the process as he is with the finished art. He said, “Wow, I can paint things pretty good but My Jodi paints really good and draws too!” He also remarked that he loves this “big cat” but that “My Jodi has never painted a little cat like my Jaws or your Asher and Coco Puff. Maybe she will some day and a dinosaur too, a T-Rex!” He also sends a neckbuster hug and says “Namaste”! Thank-you x 2!!
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Oh how I love those neckbuster hugs and “namastes!” Hello also to Jaws and Asher and Coco Puff! 🙂
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I LOVE his expression! These make such sweet cards!
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http://www.areweadultsyet.com
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Cute.
https://mesmotsbysazz.com/
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Thanks!
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Do check my blogs
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