Rio in Repose

I'm having a break from graphite, so my Meerkat is waiting in the wings.

This is Rio at four months, just after the splint was removed from his jaw, his expression says it all.

It is coloured pencil on sand coloured Ingres paper, about 14 x 12 inches.

I am working much faster than usual, not aiming for as many layers, but to capture his expression. The last scan represents about 3 hours work.