Study puff adder 

Gustave Moreau rendered this Study of a Puff Adder with pencil and watercolor on paper. The striking qualities of this work lie in the immediacy of its making; we can really see the artist at work. The underdrawing in pencil, for instance, has a directness that perfectly complements the subject matter. Puff adders are not known for their patience. Moreau has captured the animal's essential character with swift, sure strokes. The watercolor washes add to this sense of life and movement. The way the pigment bleeds and pools in certain areas gives the snake a scaly, almost three-dimensional appearance. This is not just a flat representation, but a living thing rendered on paper. Ultimately, what makes this work so compelling is the way Moreau has harnessed the inherent qualities of his materials. By combining pencil and watercolor, he has created a study that is both scientifically accurate and artistically expressive. It's a reminder that even the most traditional materials can be used to create something truly unique.