Okay, so, I’ve been seeing this boxer, Ryan Garcia, all over my feed lately. Dude’s got some serious skills, but what really caught my eye was his back tattoo. It’s huge! A massive lion with a crown, and it looks pretty epic. I got curious and wanted to try recreating it, just to see if I could.
First things first, I gathered some references. I scoured the internet for clear pictures of Ryan’s back, trying to get the best possible view of the tattoo. It wasn’t easy, since most photos are of him in the ring, and his back isn’t always fully visible. But I managed to find a few decent shots.
Breaking Down the Design
Next, I started breaking down the design. It’s basically a lion’s head, right? But not just any lion. This one’s got a fierce expression, with its mouth open like it’s roaring. And then there’s the crown, which is pretty detailed with all these points and jewels. There are also some words below, but they are hard to read and not so important for my practice.
- The Lion’s Face: The key here is to capture that intense gaze. The eyes are narrowed, and the brows are furrowed. The nose is pretty prominent, and the mouth is wide open, showing off those sharp teeth.
- The Mane: The mane is wild and flowing, which adds to the lion’s powerful image. It’s not just a simple outline; there are lots of individual strands and clumps of hair.
- The Crown: The crown sits right on top of the lion’s head. It’s a classic king’s crown with multiple points. Each point seems to have a jewel or some kind of decoration on it.
Putting Pen to Paper (or Stylus to Tablet)
With my references in hand, I fired up my drawing tablet and got to work. I started with a basic sketch of the lion’s head, just to get the proportions right. Then I gradually added more details, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth. I probably redid the eyes like a dozen times to get that fierce look just right.
The mane was a bit tricky. I tried to make it look as dynamic and flowing as possible. I used a lot of quick strokes to create the individual strands of hair. It took a while, but I think I managed to capture the overall feel of it.
The crown was the most challenging part, honestly. All those little details! I zoomed in real close and tried my best to replicate the shapes and patterns I saw in the photos. It wasn’t perfect, but I think it turned out okay. I didn’t draw the words, since they are not the key part.
The Final Result
After hours of drawing, erasing, and redrawing, I finally finished my version of Ryan Garcia’s back tattoo. It’s not an exact replica, of course. I’m not a professional tattoo artist, and I’m sure there are things I could have done better. But overall, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I just wanted to see what it’s like to draw those things. It was a fun challenge, and I learned a lot about drawing lions, crowns, and intricate details.
Maybe I’ll try drawing some other celebrity tattoos next. Any suggestions?
