The Lion and the Mouse

The Lion and the Mouse	Prize	Entries	Health	Time Left
	$100.00	5		Completed

Summary:

A depiction of Aesop's The Lion and the Mouse for my upper chest/shoulder area. Lion breaking free with the mouse's aid.

Description:

I am looking for a depiction of Aesop's The Lion and the Mouse. I have several ideas about the details, but I don't know about the overall design, which is why I need your help.

This tattoo will be about 6 inches wide by 4 inches tall. I would like it to start on my upper right chest area and contiue over towards my shoulder.

This story has multiple meanings for me. It's a story about mercy and that true friends may be any shape, color, etc. For me, it's also about overcoming the odds and obstacles in your way.

Because of this, I would like the scene to depict the lion breaking free from the net with the mouse's help. I really like the face of the lion in the image attached, particularly the intensity of his stare, but he's too passive for this scene. It would be great if he could be used as a model for the tattoo in a more active way. I am picturing something that demonstrates the power and majesty of this animal without crossing over to ferocity (because that's not what this tattoo is about).

I would like this tattoo to be black and white with shading. I also like tattoos that could be framed and stand on their own. I am imagining something very realistic looking, but I would be open to something a little more stylized as well as long as it isn't cartoony or tribal. I've provided a number of details, but I hope you will find plenty of room still for artistic creativity.

Additional Details:

Contest Length: 14 Days
Gender: Male
Size: 6 x 4 inches
Detail: High
Winning artist must provide stencil / line work at completion of contest

Appended Description (February 2 2012 6:56pm):

I am envisioning this being a scene with energy rather than being passive.

Appended Description (February 8 2012 7:45pm):

I have included a picture of a painting that shows the type of energy I am envisioning. The lion in the painting doesn't match, but the feel of the moment does. I also think that the lion can be showing some teeth as long as it doesn't look like a snarl. I have included a few extra pictures to show what I mean. This is not a necessary detail, and I would like to leave the interpretation of the lion's expression up to the artist, but I don't want it to seem like the lion has to be motionless and unexpressive.