Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

Tom Godfrey

Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

Tiger! Tiger! burning bright
In the forest of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, and what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
Ans water´d heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tiger! Tiger! burning bright
In the forest of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

William Blake (1757-1827)

It seems fitting to use this famous poem by William Blake, in context with this pastel I did of these two, currently in a game park just outside Johannesburg, South Africa. Another threatened species, thanks to good old dumb mankind.

Tiger Tiger Burning Bright belongs to the following groups:

Big Cats, Contemporary Pastel Painters (2 per day), Endangered Species, Exotic Mammals, South Africa - Rainbow Nation, Tiger, Tiger (Tigers ONLY), Wildlife and Pet Paintings and Zoophoria (2 per day, approval required) Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Tiger Tiger Burning Bright by Tom Godfrey
Tiger Tiger Burning Bright by Tom Godfrey
  • paul boast

    paul boast

    good work Tom , like your style , yes man has put alot of pressure on these fine animals all for the sake of money but thank goodness there are conservation projects around the globe to help protect some of them .
    I feel all inhumanity to man & beast is just lack of education and being unaware of the laws of action and re-action.

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks for your considered comment paul. Agreed re conservation projects. I believe they are trying to raise Tigers in a protected reserve in SA, seeing as their natural habitat in India and elsewhere is so threatened – hopefully this will work. Education to awaken our sense of responsibility and our potential to heal and protect. We are caretakers of the planet, there is no-one else -absolutely yes.

  • Coloursofnature

    Coloursofnature

    Oh my gosh how beautiful you are a real artist- cheers- Valerie

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks Colours. I’m glad you like this interpretation of our furry friends :)

  • Julie Langford

    Julie Langfordcommunity host

    Absolutely stunning Tom – this is just beautiful

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Julie, They are magnificient creatures.

  • Shanina Conway

    Shanina Conway

    Sooo beautiful Tom…the colours and the eyes are magical;)...dumb mankind and we’re supposed to be the brains…ha!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Shanina. Luckily, the more brightly lit globes among our species :) are doing their best against those who plunder in darkness.

  • Freda Surgenor

    Freda Surgenor

    Ah, well done, Tom, loved your demo today.
    This is a lovely piece.
    By the way, what telephoto lens do you have on your EOS? I need to get one for mine and don’t know what to get. Please may I have the size and code?

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks Freda. It was fun. I use the Sigma 70 -300mm (1:4-5:6 APO) lens on my Canon 300D. I have been very happy with the results.

  • Ozcloggie

    Ozcloggie

    on’t the lines make a great composition?

  • Brian Towers

    Brian Towers

    Handsome beasts as well as sleeping beauties. The Master’s hand treats us again to wonderful artwork. So well painted Tom.

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Master? thanks,but far too kind, Sir Brian. I am but a humble servant of the brush and pastel stick.

  • JoAnnHayden

    JoAnnHayden

    Love their expressions , beautiful work my friend, just beautiful

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks very much JoAnn

  • ECGardner

    ECGardner

    Dumb mankind, indeed. How could we let such amazing creatures reach this critically endangered status? This painting is completely gorgeous. I love what you’ve captured in the one tiger’s eyes.

  • ECGardner

    ECGardner

    Oh, by the way, if you would care to add this to the Endangered Species group I would be most grateful. :)

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks EC – done!

  • David Stuart

    David Stuart

    It would be absolutely tragic if we lost the majestic creatures. Beautifully done Tom.

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks David. Let’s hope we manage -for all of our sakes. When too many species start disappearing, we should start worrying about a domino effect. We are all interconnected after all.

  • Crockpot

    Crockpot

    So gorgeous!!!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Crockpot. I’m glad you like it.

  • Firedrake

    Firedrake

    Beautiful fuzzies. Symmetrically framed but certainly not dreadful! hehe

  • Tom Godfrey

    Tom Godfrey

    Yeh :) not dreadful at all -maybe I remembered it wrong :). Beautiful fuzzies sounds much better anyway :) thanks Firedrake

  • Tim Mellish

    Tim Mellish

    Nice work Tom, wish I could be that relaxed!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Tim – too true :)

  • coolart

    coolart

    tiger Tiger burning bright,
    In the shadows of the night, My favorite poet Blake, very good, work, beautifully expressive and loving Tigers resting so peaceful, yet aware. Brilliant in every way.

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks coolart…ooops so it’s shadows not forests. It is 30 years or so since I read it, so I guessed I might be a little off :) any others? said he tentatively.

  • Avril Brand

    Avril Brand

    Beautiful art and very important message – thank you!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Avril, on both counts.

  • Morgan5

    Morgan5

    i love it because i love tigers :)

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Hi Morgan. I’m glad you like my tigers. Good luck with your lovely artwork as well.

  • AngelPhotozzz

    AngelPhotozzz

    oh I love this wonderful work here!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks Angel.

  • conilouz

    conilouz

    this is so amazing,, great job

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks conilouz

  • WayoftheWarrior

    WayoftheWarrior

    excellent

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks WoW

  • Samantha Goode

    Samantha Goode

    Hello Tom! Think this photography is quite incredible to be honest, I’m literally lost for words. Amazing.

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Samantha -a tiny confession though. I did take the original ref photo, but this is a photo of a pastel I did, using the photo. The painting is huge 120cm X 60 cm, unframed. I have yet to frame it. Hope this has spoiled your day :) Cheers Tom

  • Samantha Goode

    Samantha Goode

    Sorry Tom

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    oops – I meant to say hasn’t :) my turn to say sorry :)

  • Mariaan Krog Art Portfolio

    Mariaan Krog A...

    Incredibly beautiful! You are so talented!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks kind lady

  • Robyn Carter

    Robyn Carter

    Beautiful :) – I agree ith Mariaan – very talented :)

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks Robyn

  • Michelle Wrighton

    Michelle Wrighton

    Another beautiful rendering Tom! Its sad to think that one day the art will be the only way to view these precious animals thanks to mankind:(

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks Michelle. Hopefully this won’t happen and the good in humanity will win against the small-minded and self-absorbed pimple brains.

  • AnitaInverarity

    AnitaInverarity

    Another beauty- I love how they seem to be watching out for each other- Like we should be watching over them for sure.

  • LovelyFocus

    LovelyFocus

    Beautiful work.

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks LF

  • Joanne Bradley

    Joanne Bradley

    Wow! Excellent shot! Congrats on homepage feature!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thank you Joanne

  • Luci Mahon

    Luci Mahon

    Wonderful painting Tom!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Luci

  • AngelPhotozzz

    AngelPhotozzz

    Aww love this one! Well done and congrats on the homepage!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Angel – yeh I am lucky to have been featured. It feels great, thanks

  • Luci Mahon

    Luci Mahon

    Wonderful Tom!

  • Hagen

    Hagen

    Wow

  • Beve Brown-Clark

    Beve Brown-Clark

    Exceptional artwork…yes stupid mankind! Congrats on Home page feature!!

  • BOBBYBABE

    BOBBYBABE

    so gorgeous!

  • darkestartist

    darkestartist

    congrats on the homepage…wonderful treatment and excellent fit with the poem. great to see traditional art on the splash page, always makes my day :) great work, Tom!

  • pinkyjain

    pinkyjain

    So stunningly beautiful Tom. Wow. Congrats on the Feature, Very Well Deserved

  • Rosy Kueng

    Rosy Kueng

    Congratulations being on homepage Tom! First, the original shot must be awesome…second, the painting you did is amazing!!! Exceptional artwork…you’re really talented…lol…in shooting and in painting…lol…love it! Tigers are my favorite animals by the way….

  • drawing4art

    drawing4art

    A stunning piece of artwork…love it.

  • DarkStars

    DarkStars

    Divine :)

  • colorblind

    colorblind

    just like the snow leopard i truly like this piece as well
    nice realism
    and composition
    and though this is minor
    ...i like that one is sleep and one is awake
    just to show that its beautiful either way
    DYNAMIC

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks cb. Yes, I also like the contrast of the sleeping tiger against the watchful one

  • Sandi Baker

    Sandi Baker

    Awesome work – absolutely stunning!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Sandi

  • Patricia Anne McCarty

    Patricia Anne ...

    www.redbubbl.com

  • Patricia Anne McCarty

    Patricia Anne ...

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks for alerting me to this gp Patricia, I didn’t even know you guys were in bubbleland -how slack am I? :) and to have the honour of being featured immediately – wow. Thanks so much.

  • krafty

    krafty

    Congrats on the Feature..stunning work…pure beauty..Bravo and welcome to the Tiger Tiger Group.
    Awesome work and fitting poem to accompany the gorgeous picture..Well done.
    !!!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks Cynthia, I have just had the painting framed and it has come out really well. I am entering them in an exhibition this coming weekend, so here’s hoping the buying public love them as much as you guys :) Cheers and thanks again for the feature and cool comments.

  • Patricia Anne McCarty

    Patricia Anne ...

    I wish you MUCh luck with all that and I just can not imagine someone NOT liking that painting, lol

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Patricia – I will let you guys know if it sells

  • Van Cordle

    Van Cordle

    Wonderful wonderful work!!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks you kind man

  • midnightdreamer

    midnightdreamer

    Oh my friend this is such an absolutely beautiful work of art! I love it!
    Peace Always,
    Leah ♥

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Leah – very cool comment

  • Stellaim

    Stellaim

    you are brilliant

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Very kind of you Stellaim, thanks

  • summer

    summer

    I didn’t think Africa had any tigers, where did you take this?

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    :) It doesn’t, in the wilds anyway. They are starting a resue programme somewhere in KZN which will be a sort of Tiger reserve. I took the ref photo for this painting at the lion park just outside Johannesburg.

  • NicoleH

    NicoleH

    Beautiful work! Love the addition of the poem too.

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks Nicole. It is hanging in my lounge – bloody huge, but it looks cool :)

  • Rosina Lamberti

    Rosina Lamberti

    Great image, well done

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Rosina

  • sneha

    sneha

    gr8 art tom! u rock!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks sneha

  • Orla Cahill

    Orla Cahill

    Stunning work Tom :)

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks Orla.

  • robpixaday

    robpixaday

    sigh How lovely!!!!!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks rob

  • georgiegirl

    georgiegirl

    This is so totally gorgeous!! Beautifully drawn… its almost like a photo :D

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks georgie, sorry for the late response

  • Alice McMahon White

    Alice McMahon ...

    Great Tom! Would love to see this in our group Contemporary Pastel Painters! We are having a wildlife challenge right now too.

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks alice, I’ll be along as fast as my cyber legs can carry me :)

  • Margaret Harris

    Margaret Harris

    Beautiful portrait !

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Margaret, sorry about the late reply to your generous comment

  • Rayven

    Rayven

    smiles I love tigers. Good job portraying them!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Rayven -me too :)

  • Ming Myaskovsky

    Ming Myaskovsky

    I can’t believed this is pastel, I’ve just been absorbing this and thought it was oil !
    Exceptional talent ! ;D

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Ming. That’s very kind of you

  • Shanina Conway

    Shanina Conway

    Brilliant work Tom, love your mastery of pastel and of course I have a weak spot for Blake:)

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    thanks Shan. Yeah, the mystic poet. He was tuned-in alright

  • Devalyn Marshall

    Devalyn Marshall

    So beautiful!

  • Tom Godfrey replied

    Thanks Devalyn. The painting has pride of place in my lounge

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