Calico Cat beside a Herb Shelf

A calico cat sits beside a wooden shelf filled with rosemary, mint and basil in terracotta pots. Sunlight reaches the cat's white chest and mottled face, while tiled grout, leaf clusters and the shelf's worn edge create smaller sections around it. A quiet kitchen wall keeps the colors warm and close, with whiskers and paws providing fine shapes near the center.

Start with the eyes, ears and three clear patches of fur, then build the pot rims above the cat. Herb leaves are easier to sort by their narrow shapes and different greens. Use the shelf board as a horizontal guide before filling the tilework and softer shadows. The pale floor pieces can wait until the cat and pots have made a strong frame.