Sketchbook Saturday: Raccoons

Raccoon sketchbook page

Raccoon (only one page, I got caught up in the anatomy and ended up spending hours learning about raccoon collarbone attachments. I posted on an exotic pet site asking about their ability to move their fore arms and wound up […]

Sketchbook Saturdays: Rabbit and Kangaroo

sketches of red kangaroos

I find rabbits particularly hard to draw, despite having kept them for a number of years.  We actually bred Creme D’Argents and American Blues for a while.  Their bodies are much like a coiled spring, waiting to be released, their […]

Sketchbook Saturday: More Flying Critters

tucan sketches

More birds, this time one with extreme proportions!  I focused on getting the beak correct from a variety of angles, as well as how little detail was needed to express the orientation of that tiny black body in space!  I’m […]

Sketchbook Saturday: Fantasy Critters

pegasus sketches

What is the use of all those studies I do?  I use them to inform my fantasy animals!  Here a different kind of griffin stalks a little mouse.  There are also some sketches from the pond I was sitting in […]

Sketchbook Saturday: Ferrets and Hippos

100dayprojecthippopost

Part of the 100 days project I mentioned before, these sketches depict the hippopotamus and the ferret. I worked on the ferret with a mink skull readily at hand, which was excellent reminder that the skull is MUCH longer than […]

Sketchbook Saturday: Osprey and Barn Owl Sketches

osprey bird sketches

I studied several birds while doing the 100 day project, focusing on ones with different character.  To really understand them, I took out several textbooks from the library and read up on specific groups, their behavior and unique adaptations.  I […]

Sketchbook Saturday: 100 Days Project

koi sketches

Took a break from the blog as I raised my kiddo through the early part of toddlerhood, I couldn’t keep up with the updates and stay creative, but I seem to have found my stride again. Earlier this year I […]

Painting Exploration-Bears

I’m not feeling very wordy today, so thought pictures would speak for me =) My current idea for a painting (in addition to that last one from Friday, I’m exploring several options) is another in the tone of my creation […]

Thumbnails–Fox and Butterflies II

So a few months ago in a sleepy stupor I stumbled into the Amherst Family Center and drew this thumbnail while someone watched my kid for a few.  At the time I thought it was genius, and put it away […]

Hamster Gestures

Often before a project involving a critter I haven’t done in a while, or one I’m not as familiar with (and often those I am!) I like to start with gestures and practice sketches to play with the anatomy, features […]