Animal And Wildlife Challenge Dec 2025/Jan 2026

[pcj]

Jade has used the back of an envelope, Grapes has used pizza boxes, Anne
has used whatever is handy. We have really creative members here ! How did these
work out ? Has anyone else occasionally used unusual bases for painting or drawing ?
Cheers
Patricia

 

[Joy]

Anne, I really enjoy the softness of the fur and the subtle color changes with a limited palette. I think since the mouth is closed, it would be thinner, especially in the center. Eyes are generally the focus of portraits, and those are very well done. (Nice shadow under the lid.) Since they are so well portrayed, perhaps the nose is too dark and too much of a contrast with the adjacent fur, thus drawing attention to that area. The focal point can often be the darkest area against the lightest area, as one's eye is drawn to the contrast. Maybe have it a little lighter in value and a less abrupt transition to the bridge.The soft hair under the chin are very nicely rendered.

 

[ams]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Joy, some good observations. Thanks for taking the time to write them out.

 

[TK H-H]

Jade has used the back of an envelope, Grapes has used pizza boxes, Anne
has used whatever is handy. We have really creative members here ! How did these
work out ? Has anyone else occasionally used unusual bases for painting or drawing ?
Cheers
Patricia

Been a while, but many years ago when I did some renovations on a room, it had floor-to-ceiling shelving along one wall from the previous owner. They weren't particularly nice shelves, so they were removed. The shelves themselves were a bunch of thin but quite sturdy panels slid into slots. I gessoed a bunch of them and used them for oil painting. They worked quite nicely.

 

[Jade]

Good question Patricia.

This is today's picture, playing with my new inktense.

 

[Joy]

Jade, boy that is really nice. Amazing that it is your first attempt with the Inktense. I still struggle with them. Yesterday I started the same bird in watercolor.

 

[ams]

Very nice Jade. Looks as if you are having fun with your Inktense. They are a lot of fun.

 

[Jade]

Thanks Joy and Anne! I think after being used to colour pencils, it's getting used to how to "edge" inktense in wc..like around the feathers. I may add some fine liner...

 

[pcj]

Jade - Lovely parrot ! You've captured the way he's looking at us perfectly .
Cheers
Patricia

 

[Jade]

Thanks Patricia!

 

[Grapes]

Jade, excellent

 

[Enyaw]

Best yet, girl.

 

[Jade]

Best yet, girl.

Do you think Wayne? I like him but thought I hadn't got the feathers and definitions right with inktense..

 

[Jade]

Thanks Grapes! Hope you and Muffin are staying cozy

 

[ams]

Thanks Joy and Anne! I think after being used to colour pencils, it's getting used to how to "edge" inktense in wc..like around the feathers. I may add some fine liner...

I worked in colored pencils for quite a few years too but they take too long for me.

I'm experimenting with putting my lines down first with inktense instead of black ink I have been using and then adding color on top of that. My first try was the lion which I was pleased with. I am working on a bird right now, using the inktense lines to define the feathers. It's not part of this challenge but I'll post it separately when it is finished.

 

[Jade]

Yes it was interesting about doing your lines in inktense Anne. I like your black ink but also like that approach too. I think I'll try that as well. Looking forward to seeing your bird.

Btw How do you mix your colours?

 

[Enyaw]

You are not a realist so I was not looking at the feathering as the coloring caught my eye.

 

[Jade]

Thanks Wayne. That makes sense

 

[ams]

Yes it was interesting about doing your lines in inktense Anne. I like your black ink but also like that approach too. I think I'll try that as well. Looking forward to seeing your bird.

Btw How do you mix your colours?

I scribble the pencils on a caran d'ache palette aquarelle and then pick up with a wet brush. A small, rough plastic cutting board would also work.

 

[Jade]

I scribble the pencils on a caran d'ache palette aquarelle and then pick up with a wet brush. A small, rough plastic cutting board would also work.

Thanks Anne. I read about those in a few places, I'll see if I can try a chopping board or maybe splash out. I had tried using the bottom of a Tupperware box but it was too smooth.