Animal And Wildlife Challenge Oct/Nov 2025

[Grapes]

Jade, I sometimes draw my cat with some kind of crayons (not sure what mine are called), I have many different kind. I had same problem: I couldn't do little details like small eyes so I use for those sharp pencil. Works for me and my cat but then again I don't know what is the correct/best way to do it.

 

[Jade]

Thank you Anne I appreciate your feedback too. I did add a little water around the ears, it picked up well. I'm going to order a brush and have a play...

 

[Jade]

Hi Grapes, I had the same thought about using pencils for the finer details.. I'll try that,thank you. Maybe I'll ask Bob to model too

 

[Jade]

Do you do art most days, Grapes?

 

[Grapes]

Yes, ask Bob. I started today a new portrait of my muffin (oils).
Yup, l paint most of the days but this autumn has been difficult. I usually do Christmas dailies etc but not this yr.

 

[Jade]

I will enjoy painting muffin!
You seem very productive. I hope you're doing ok xx

 

[Grapes]

I don't think I can make a bear of this drawing so I leave it as it is and post it here:
2B mechanical pencil on sketch paper.

Thank you, Patricia, for excellent photo references for us to practice together!

 

[Jade]

He's cute, Grapes! He looks so soft and I love his sleepy looking eyes.

 

[ams]

He looks like a bear to me. I love the softness of the fur.

 

[pcj]

He looks like a bear to me too. I love his expression.
Cheers
Patricia

 

[Joy]

Grapes, the bear looks good, especially the expression. If you wanted to do more, some shading to blend the legs into the water would make it more complete.

Patricia, thanks ever so much for hosting. It is wonderful to see so much participation. Having the challenge go for a few months without a reveal date worked a charm. I was on holiday, but started one for this month. If I don't finish it this week, I will post later.

 

[Grapes]

Joy, thanks. I could and should still continue working on the bear and I kind of would like to do the splashes of water for practice. I'm terrible with water so every practice is needed .. yes, now it looks like the earth is swallowing the bear
Hope you find time to finish and post yours!
Your right the past challenges have been working nicely!

Patricia, thank you for your comment!

Anne, thanks!

Jade, thank you!

 

[Jade]

Yes, thank you Patricia. Since joining CS I've realised I love drawing furry creatures the most so this challenge and the beautiful pictures you select, are perfect for me.

 

[Joy]

Here is the penguin in watercolor, 8 x 11, on Arches 140 CP. This was mainly done with leftover paint in my palette and a little black. I am trying to do things more quickly, as I spend so long on each painting I get sick of working on it. For challenges, I have been trying a lot of different subject matter, even if I don't like it. Then I get discouraged if I don't like the results. Moving forward, I want to try to focus on doing more what I like.

 

[Jade]

This is stunning @Joy - the colours you've used are lovely, especially on his chest. You sound like you have a good plan going forward.

 

[Grapes]

Joy, love, love , love your penguin He has style, he looks like he's moving!
I like all those tiny hints of colors I find there.

 

[Joy]

Grapes, Jade - thanks for the kind words. I am attempting to be more creative with color instead in just copying a reference. Interpretation of a subject is challenging for me.

 

[Sanlynn]

Well Joy, I’d say that holiday was good for your creativity. This is a wonderful job. I say bravo for incorporating those colours for added interest.

 

[Joy]

Sandra, thank you! It actually wasn't the greatest cruise, as far as we had some issues on the ship, but we enjoyed the ports and saw a lot snorkeling. It is wonderful to see so much participation in the challenge recently.

 

[ams]

Lovely penguin Joy.

Have you considered working smaller, so the painting doesn't take so long that you tire of it?