Animal & Wildlife Challenge - February 2025

[JaneS]

Hi everyone. I thought we’d move to the other side of the world from Australia this month to my home country so this month’s theme is “Animals and wildlife from Britain and Ireland.” You can choose from the images below, or find any reference you like that fits the theme.

This month’s photos are mostly from pexels.com. I’m looking forward to seeing your works of art. I hope you all have fun with the challenge.


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Hello, and welcome to our monthly ANIMAL & WILDLIFE CHALLENGE.

On the first day of each month various photos and a reference subject will be provided,

Please choose from the photos or the reference subject provided or both to create an artwork in any medium. You can use the photos or reference subject to create any kind of artwork that you like.

Please use only the photos or the reference subject provided.

Please post your artwork starting on the 15th day of the month. (This is the 'Reveal’ Day.)

You can continue to post your artwork from the 15th until the end of the month.

Also, if you wish, please feel free to post any works in progress photos that you took while you were doing your artwork, and any comments about it.


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[JaneS]

Just checking to see if anyone saw this? If you don’t like the references I can search for others.

 

[Triduana]

Thanks Jane, beautiful photos! I really hope I can get one finished this month, I've struggled to do any kind of art for a while now.

 

[Joy]

Thanks, Jane, for the early beautiful references.

 

[pcj]

Hi jane - The photos are beautiful, Thankyou so much for hosting
Jan and Feb.
Cheers,
Patricia

 

[Vivien]

Jane - Thanks for the lovely refs!

 

[Sanlynn]

Thanks for hosting and the wonderful reference photos, Jane. I hope to participate this month.

 

[joe1It]

Wonderful, thanks

 

[ams]

These are wonderful images Jane. Thanks for hosting.

 

[JaneS]

Here's my kingfisher.

 

[Joy]

Jane, that is wonderful! I don't know anything about digital art, but the clever way you handled the BG is really perfect. I just love the texture, shape, and the way complements the subject. Thanks again for hosting!

 

[Joy]

Here is my so-so effort in watercolor. Arches 140 CP was used, and it is about 9 x 7. Limited palette of Lavender, Indian Yellow, Quin Rose and Sepia. The feathers do not look natural to me.

 

[Sanlynn]

Wow, Jane, your digi Kingfisher is amazing! I agree with Joy about that fabulous background.
Joy, such a delicate and beautiful seagull. I’ve read that we shouldn’t put every detail in unless we’re going for hyper-realism. We tend to look at the painting longer as our brain fills in the gaps. So your feathers are just fine.
I haven’t started mine yet and it’s going to be a busy weekend, so it’s going to be late.

 

[ams]

Here's my kingfisher.

View attachment 46898

Jane, this is lovely. I also like what you did with the background.

Here is my so-so effort in watercolor. Arches 140 CP was used, and it is about 9 x 7. Limited palette of Lavender, Indian Yellow, Quin Rose and Sepia. The feathers do not look natural to me.

View attachment 46903

Joy, I like the soft colors you used here. I see what you mean about the feathers. It might help to strengthen the lines defining the feathers. When I'm doing that sort of thing, I use a flat sideways and fairly string mix of color since I would only take one swipe on each line.

 

[joe1It]

Jane,Joy, wonderful job

 

[joe1It]

Hi, my attempt.today this, digital draw,free hand. Fox is animal That I love.thanks for reference

 

[Joy]

Joe, great texture on the fur.

 

[ams]

Nice Joe.

 

[JaneS]

Thank you all for the kind words every one. Joy, I think the colours in your seagull are wonderful. Those purples in the grey! Hi Joe - another digital artist, hurray! I love your linework there, you have a real feeling of motion in your work.

 

[JaneS]

I thought I’d upload my fox. I’ve gone for a grungy feel here, without a background.