Animal & Wildlife Challenge - January 2025

[JaneS]

Hi everyone. I thought we’d move away from winter this month to a continent where it’s currently high summer, so this month’s theme is “Animals and wildlife from Australasia.” 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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[Vivien]

Jane - thanks for the Jan Challenge, with great photos from Australia. I will try to get something done this month.

 

[pcj]

Lovely photos Jane. Thank you very much for hosting.
Cheers,
Patricia

 

[Joy]

Wonderful variety, Jane. Thank you!

 

[TK H-H]

Lovely references. I'll have to see if I can squeeze one in. Hoping life will be less busy as of the later half of January.

 

[Sanlynn]

Thanks for sharing your time and these beautiful reference photos. I hope to join in.

 

[PaintBoss]

Great minds think alike Jane. (I also went with a warmer climate theme for the water media challenge this month.) You have chosen a nice group of pictures here. I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

 

[JaneS]

It’s a couple of days early, but I thought I’d post my turtle and encourage anyone else who’s ready to post too.

 

[PaintBoss]

Wow Jane. What a beauty! Splendid work!

 

[Vivien]

Jane - Wonderful digi work! Ive got the same image drawn out to paint but havent, as yet applied paint to paper. I always was going to try digital art but have never had time to learn, maybe one day.

 

[Joy]

Jane - very realistic! Thanks for hosting. Mine is ready; I just have to scan it.

 

[pcj]

Jane - Beautiful painting !
Mine is almost ready.
Cheers,
Patricia

 

[Sanlynn]

Wow, looks exactly like the photo! Great digi work.

 

[ams]

Beautiful work and wonderful photos.

 

[Joy]

Watercolor on Baohong Academy 140 CP, 8 x 11. The colors do not seem to translate well to the monitor, and it is overworked, nut not this "blotchy" in person.

 

[JaneS]

Watercolor on Baohong Academy 140 CP, 8 x 11. The colors do not seem to translate well to the monitor, and it is overworked, nut not this "blotchy" in person.

View attachment 46230

It still looks wonderful to me. The eyes are fantastic and I love the combination of washes and detail on the muzzle.

 

[JaneS]

I also had a go at the butterfly.

There’s a video of me painting it and it surprises me how nothing seems to happen and then it pops in at the end.

Here’s an iCloud link, hope it works.

 

[Joy]

Jane, the link worked beautifully. Interesting process. How long is the actual time?

 

[JaneS]

Jane, the link worked beautifully. Interesting process. How long is the actual time?

If I don’t compress it, it comes out at just over a minute. But it’s still speeding things up. I think it probably took me 1-2 hours?

 

[Joy]

If I don’t compress it, it comes out at just over a minute. But it’s still speeding things up. I think it probably took me 1-2 hours?

Yes, thank you. I failed to clarify I meant the actual work.