Animal and Wildlife Challenge Aug/Sept 2025

[Joy]

Here is my European Robin, in a 140 CP Handbook Journal, 5 x 8. It is actually decent paper for non cotton. This started out as line and wash, but the paint covered most of the ink lines. So I just continued on with it.

 

[Grapes]

Joy, she's gorgeous! Love it!
So much volume and color

 

[pcj]

Joy. Beautiful robin ! I love her expression and colour.
Cheers,
Patricia.

 

[Jade]

Great colours Joy and I like the way you did the bark too.

 

[Joy]

Thanks, all. I know I overworked this, as I do everything. Things just never look complete to me and then I do too much.

 

[Jade]

Thanks, all. I know I overworked this, as I do everything. Things just never look complete to me and then I do too much.

You've got skills Joy even if you don't recognise it yet I always love the work you post.

 

[Joy]

You've got skills Joy even if you don't recognise it yet I always love the work you post.

Jade, you comment made my day! There is a fair amount that I bin vs. post.

 

[Jade]

Jade, you comment made my day! There is a fair amount that I bin vs. post.

All true. I remember the first time I saw your work and thinking it was amazing (a bird I think) but you didn't like it..

 

[Joy]

All true. I remember the first time I saw your work and thinking it was amazing (a bird I think) but you didn't like it..

Sorry for the typo- it should have read "your comment"in my post #107. I am attempting to try to "like" my work more, but feel as if I make the same errors (too much water, over working) repeatedly. So many artists here can do such a volume of quality work, and I am very slow. Plus, I have a lot of other interests, which seem to get in the way of each other. An overachiever is never bored!

 

[Jade]

Sorry for the typo- it should have read "your comment"in my post #107. I am attempting to try to "like" my work more, but feel as if I make the same errors (too much water, over working) repeatedly. So many artists here can do such a volume of quality work, and I am very slow. Plus, I have a lot of other interests, which seem to get in the way of each other. An overachiever is never bored!

That's ok Joy you sound quite hard on yourself (I can get like that too so see it in others! ). I try to remind myself to enjoy the process, do my own thing and no rush. Easier said than done sometimes, I've caught myself a few times since joining here for fun but nearly making it into a job! It's also helped me to look back at my progress over time too, I think we forget that sometimes...

 

[joe1It]

Patricia, Joy,Anne ,Jade, wonderful , wonderful job
digital draw.

 

[Jade]

Great job on all these Joe.. I particularly like the parrot and squirrel

 

[pcj]

Joe - Beautiful drawings ! My favourite is the squirrel.
Cheers,
Patricia

 

[Joy]

Joe, these are all cute, especially the squirrel.

 

[ams]

Joy, I think your bird came out quite nicely. You did a good job on the texture of the tree bark too. You paint much better than you think you do.

Joe, nice digital sketches.

 

[ams]

Meercat done with ink and Inktense in XL Mixed Media sketchbook, about 8"x10".

I used a pretty limited pallet of baked earth (similar to burnt sienna) and deep indigo (similar to Prussian blue).

 

[Joy]

Anne, I just love meerkats, and this makes me adore them even more! The outline and the rendering of the fur is excellent. The only thing I would change is the dark value of the eye rings is harsh compared to all of the lighter values. The complementary colors were the perfect choice.

 

[ams]

Thanks Joy. You're right about the black around the eyes. I got a little carried away! I have to be careful sometimes that I don't go too dark too early. That is especially true of Inktense. Sometimes I mix colors with some white if I know I don't want to go too dark.

 

[Grapes]

Joe, good work with digital tool!

Anne, very nice meercat. Good pose and curious look on his face.

Wanted to paint the meercat as well but there appeared a possibility for a mini show so need to finish some paintings for it now.

 

[ams]

Thanks Grapes.

Good luck with your mini show.