This finished drawing actually came after the finished sculpture (I only produced sketches before sculpting the Cat Dancer), but I drew it up to figure out some possible color schemes to attempt on my own. This particular color pattern is based off a melanistic jaguar, a genetic variation that makes the normally pale fur much darker. In particularly dark versions, the spots almost completely blend into the background, looking like a panther.
Not sure if I’d try to also duplicate the paisley pattern on the clothing, as the spots are certainly going to be a challenge on their own…