Painting of Maeve and her Calf

<sub>Digital Painting of Maeve and her female calf, Giraffes at the Dublin Zoo.
Painted in Photoshop CS5, using a publicity still from the Dublin Zoo as a reference.
About 20+ hours of work.

Please note that I don't have time to say "thank you" for every favourite, but I appreciate them all nonetheless! Thank you all for your support!!!</sub>

I finally have some time to do artwork... so naturally, I'm suffering from a minor art block (nothing about it feels minor, but it hasn't been long... *sigh*). I have a million ideas for things I want to paint... but then I put stylus to tablet, and get NO WHERE!!! Driving me up the wall. I've started a dozen pieces in the last few days, and nothing is working.
That is why is posted this one with a series of WIP's as I painted. Tends to keep me motivated! So thanks for the comments!

Wanted to take some advice from some of my awesome watchers about art block, and paint something different. It really seemed to help! When I first started, I thought it was going to be a disaster. I hated the colours... couldn't get the faces right... but stuck with it, and had a lot of fun! Might paint giraffes again, they are beautiful creatures, and a great subject for painting.
I have come to really like this colour palette, and am pleased with the simple background. Might have to do some other kind of animal as a companion piece. Open to suggestions

Reference:
For once I'm using a reference that isn't my own... I saw this photo from the Dublin Zoo, and really just wanted to paint it. You can find the original here: [link]
For anyone that loves animals, Zooborns is the best site ever! Be warned however, it will lead to hours of time-wasting looking at adorable animals... although it's very inspiring!