This grand little fellow is a California Tiger Salamander(ambystoma californiense) that I had started some time ago, during an opportunity I had to do field-work with a local biologist and friend. I garnered plenty of time to develop field sketches, allowing for me to design this image later in studio. I have struggled a bit with the structure of the grass, wanting it to enhance the movement of the salamander, but not quite sure how I was going to render it. Recently I discovered another way to modify my pen's tip, creating a broader range of thickness to the line-work and more variable tones to the ink, that appear to be suitable for the feel I am trying to convey. Not sure I would call this a breakthrough moment, but it certainly is progress! ;-)