Just finished a couple of these; one for a custom order and one for my shop.
I made some slight changes to my original "Sun Lion" design. Mainly, I removed the heavy black "tear markings" that went from the inside corner of the eye down the muzzle. Black was too heavy and stylized on the lion...it was distracting. Instead I did a lighter brown shading, which looks more natural. The sun rays and the bright metallic gold color are plenty of fantasy for this mask...it needed a touch more realism in the face markings, perhaps, so I made those changes and I think I like it better.
As ever, made from 8oz hand carved, hand shaped vegetable tanned tooling leather. Painted with Liquitex acrylics. This one is numbered and signed; "Sun Lion #3" and in my shop right now: [link]
Great job! Yes, when I look at both mask, the markings here are definitely better. This mask also looks a bit friendlier and noble ^^. But I do like the colors of both masks, they both look very sunny