It's largely based on pelt color, actually. I wouldn't want two black cats next to each other, I prefer to keep it balanced so the ones side by side are pretty different in appearance. If I have the option of putting a cat on either side and pelt color isn't an issue, I'll decide based on pose which has to do with their personality. In some cases that still leaves things open, so I'll put leaders that had a lot to do with each other side by side (Endless/Golden, Ember/Sunken, Water/Dawn, Spotted/Fallen/Snake, Blue/Jet).
As for the rows, I just try to center them pretty evenly and cut it in openings between cats where they're not overlapping and I'd have to redraw portions.
I love how each cat is appropriately different, and I don't mean just colour, I mean head shape, fur length, tail length, physique and everything! You did a really good job on making each cat natural and realistic especially with the markings, ohmyfoxdung this is amazing
Thank you!
I have having a lot of trouble getting the pose to look natural with Lotus's solid coloring, I hope that the more subtle tabby markings I decided to add help.
Oops!
Oops, you forgot something.