Mbogo Mkuu
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Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
You can almost feel the hush of the forest in this moment—an almost-invisible leopard easing down a steep, grass-covered slope with that taut, deliberate stillness of a predator on the move. Guy Combes has focused attention on the animal’s low, measured posture and the bright white tail tip that flashes against rich greens, a small but telling detail that makes the cat real and present. The densely painted foliage and layered treeline behind the figure create a soft, receding atmosphere that frames the leopard without competing with it, so the pattern of spots reads as both camouflage and graceful surface decoration. There’s a quiet tension here: the animal looks both concealed and revealed, every muscle hinted at beneath the coat, suggesting careful observation rather than overt drama. It’s the sort of image that brings a gentle thrill—an intimate, respectful encounter with wildlife that feels at once immediate and serene.
The Artwork
About Breaking Cover
Breaking Cover<br> LIMITED EDITION CANVAS
Safari Tip #8 – Sighting a Leopard: “My mantra on safari for sighting leopards is one taught to me by my father,” relates Guy Combes. “Don't look for a large cat with spots because that's not what you will see. At any distance over 100 feet the spots begin to lose their definition and magically blend into whatever background the cat resides. If you are in bright-green Aberdare cloud forest or dry warm savannah, it makes no difference.
“What you must look for is a large brown almost invisible cat. The only thing that will give him away (and he'd get rid of it if it wasn't for its usefulness as a counterbalance when climbing trees) is the bright white tip at the end of his tail, which he twitches and waves around like he's trying to shake the damn thing off.”
Another rare sighting is to watch a painting come together from beginning to end in under two minutes. Guy Combes has provided that for Breaking Cover, which you can view by clicking below. If you’ve come this far, don’t miss it.
It is exciting to watch an artist create and while our process may be far more technical, it’s magical in its own way as well. In the end, the only way you could possess a finer version of the Greenwich Workshop Fine Art Canvas Breaking Cover would be to own the original itself. But don’t wait too long because with an edition of only 30, spots won’t be the only thing making this leopard hard to find!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XoFWpTuL1EY
“What you must look for is a large brown almost invisible cat. The only thing that will give him away (and he'd get rid of it if it wasn't for its usefulness as a counterbalance when climbing trees) is the bright white tip at the end of his tail, which he twitches and waves around like he's trying to shake the damn thing off.”
Another rare sighting is to watch a painting come together from beginning to end in under two minutes. Guy Combes has provided that for Breaking Cover, which you can view by clicking below. If you’ve come this far, don’t miss it.
It is exciting to watch an artist create and while our process may be far more technical, it’s magical in its own way as well. In the end, the only way you could possess a finer version of the Greenwich Workshop Fine Art Canvas Breaking Cover would be to own the original itself. But don’t wait too long because with an edition of only 30, spots won’t be the only thing making this leopard hard to find!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XoFWpTuL1EY
Collector Details
What to Know About This Piece
Product-specific details, edition information, provenance, and special considerations are shown here when applicable.
About the Collection
Guy Combes is a renowned wildlife artist celebrated for his realistic paintings of African wildlife. Born in Kenya in 1971, he is the son of the esteemed artist Simon Combes. Guy's work intricately portrays the beauty and complexity of animals in their natural habitats, reflecting his deep commitment to conservation and environmental advocacy. He is actively involved with the Soysambu Conservancy in Kenya, dedicating efforts to habitat preservation. His art not only captivates viewers but also raises awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their ecosystems. Guy's paintings are featured in galleries and exhibitions worldwide, solidifying his place in contemporary wildlife art.
Artist Signature
Signed by the artist
This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Guy Combes.
Authorized Source
Authenticity & Documentation
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Limited-edition artwork includes a Certificate of Authenticity when one is issued by the artist, publisher, studio, or authorized source. Open-edition pieces may not include a certificate; this does not affect their authenticity. The Collection Shop sources artwork through artists, publishers, authorized distributors, galleries, and other approved channels. Any additional documentation included with this specific piece will be noted above.
GUY COMBES was born in Kenya in 1971, the son of the late wildlife artist, Simon Combes. At the age of eight, Guy moved to school in England for the remainder of his education. His interest in art developed throughout this schooling and at home where he began to learn technique from his father. After school he started at Cheltenham Art College where he experimented further with visual creativity in sculpture and three dimensional design, and then went on to study interior design at the Inchbald in London. Guy returned to Kenya in 1992 and spent the following eight years between there and England.
In 2001 Guy moved to Soysambu, a 48000 acre ranch in the Rift Valley where his father was living with his second wife, Kat. Here Guy took on a management job at a tourist camp and worked towards an exhibition of paintings depicting the Swahili Coast, inspired by a visit to Zanzibar. The exhibition was at Peponi Hotel in Lamu and sold out. Guy then began working towards another exhibition in Nairobi and this was also successful.
Since then Guy has been concentrating full time on painting, exhibiting and visiting various trade shows around the US. He intends to pursue painting as a career while helping with various conservation issues in Kenya, the most important of these being the development of Soysambu ranch into a protected conservancy, which will guarantee an essential wildlife corridor in the spectacular Rift Valley.
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