Character of A Lion. Amy June Bates. Christian, The Hugging Lion

In the book, Christian, The Hugging Lion, Amy June Bates has used her unique style to portray a real life character. Her style is unlike any I have currently seen. At first glance her illustration of Christian the Lion appears to be done all in watercolor. She allows pencil marks to show through as a texture. On very close observation you can see colored pencil(on the lions check and the outline of his body and arm. She uses the white as fur and light, varying on the amount of blend. The lion is composed very much to a real life representation, but Amy is adding a certain charm and playfulness of personality, displayed mostly through the eyes and facial expressions of the characters in the book(especially Christian).