Griffins

It’s been many years since I’ve painted griffins, but all of a sudden I felt like the time was right to paint some. However, I wanted a little twist; why should it be mix of an eagle or hawk and a lion? Could other birds and big cats work as griffins as well?

A griffin consisting of a barn owl and leopard sits on a branch, looking over its shoulder and at the viewer.
Media: Digital.

This wasn’t my first attempt at the barn owl and leopard griffin, the first one was a great concept, but I didn’t like the style I painted it in. So I decided to just have another go at it and ended up with this image.

A griffin consisting of a great horned owl and a tiger has a big stretch.
Media: Digital.

I thought a tiger would make a really interesting kind of griffin, and decided to pair it with another owl, this time a great horned owl. The size of this one is a lot easier to guess with the grass in the foreground. My intention was for this griffin to be about the size of a cat, maybe one on the smaller side.

This little griffin is available as both apparel and stickers, should you want to have one of your own.

A puffin and panda griffin sitting on a rock, looking around cautiously.
Media: Digital.

With my third griffin I got a little bit bolder, and picked a bird which seems quite unlikely to be part of a griffin: namely the puffin. I chose the puffin as I wanted it to be a bit more colourful, and I paired it with a panther, because I wanted the puffin to be the star of the show, not the big cat. Again, this griffin is meant to be the size of a domestic cat, and most likely doesn’t mind a bit of water.

A griffin consisting of a secretary bird and cheetah, strutting its stuff on the savannah.
Media: Digital.

The fourth and final griffin consists of a secretary bird and a cheetah, which to me seemed like quite a good mix, which would give a slightly regal griffin. Of course this one is quite quick and deadly, and might be better at flying than the others, as its got slightly bigger wings.