sketch: fishing the shoreline

This is my sketch showing that if you are in the right position, then you would have the advantage to catch fish. Fish get spooked very easily from predators that cast a shadow from the shoreline. They are fearful of not only humans per se, but also of birds, racoons, bears, and whatever else that can lunge from behind the cattails and have a taste for fresh sushi.

Last week, I caught a nice-sized White Perch in this manner, pictured, using a worm on a fish-finding rig.

So if you want to better your chances in fishing, just keep in mind the location of the sun in relation to you and your target.

Also, try to cast as far as you can to where the fish are because they can see you better than you can see them. The water surface serves as a giant wide angle lens, viewed from below. And so the fish can say, “Peek-a-boo, I see you.”

sketch: painted turtle

It was so warm this early Spring, I took the canoe out several times, already, and had many a turtle sighting, giant elder ones to little coin-sized ones. They were enjoying the sun just as much as people do at the beach.

Do you think turtles are slow? Well, try approaching them while they are basking on a lake side. Blink an eye and you may miss it. Zoom! They will dive and disappear faster than you can say “turtle soup”.

I drew this turtle on an iPad, using a stylus. This kind of method creates a different feel. It will never replace the good ol’ paper and pencil.

Can you tell which of my drawings, on my blog, were done with an iPad? (Hint: those iPad drawings were done this year.)

illustration: bass and dragonfly

I caught (and released) my first largemouth bass of the year. So I am celebrating with this drawing of a fish “saying hello” to a dragonfly. Just like this bass, I jumped for joy.

illustration: kayak

With spring finally here, it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors. Walk in the park, bike on rail trails, go birdwatching, or (insert your favorite activty here).

As for myself, I can’t wait to take my boat out on the local lakes and rivers. And thanks to car racks (from brands like Yakima and Thule), it’s so much easier, safer and stylish to carry your kayak or canoe to any body of water, nowadays.

This is my illustration of a Mini Cooper carrying an ocean kayak, a fun contrast between big and small, yet fashionably cool in matching colors.

cartoon: big catch

Last week, I traveled and lugged my fishing pole all the way to Moab, Utah. I biked along the Colorado River and found a nice spot to fish, and even brought special catfish bait. As I probably said before, I stink at fishing and caught nothing. Later, that day, I asked my uncle to drive me to the nearby lake, called Ken’s Lake. It is pretty body of water for being man-made with lots of submerged boulder structure, though sparse on tree cover. This time, I saw so much fish action on the water, and I eagerly casted away. Again, I caught absolutely nothing. Thanks alot Ken, whoever you are.

Ironically, today’s cartoon drawing of mine is called The Big Catch (where the fish has the last laugh).

Anyway, it was a pleasure to be in a beautiful valley setting, completely different from my East Coast stomping grounds. Moab is an amazing playground for hiking, biking, boating and other outdoor adventures. And maybe… fishing.

painted turtle

The clocks move an hour forward this weekend, and that means Spring is almost here.  (One more week to go.)  In honor of the return of warmer weather, I create a watercolour. It’s the first critter to emerge from hibernation, a Painted Turtle, now basking in the sun, peacefully in a remote pond.

painting: rainbow trout

I took up fishing about 5 years ago. And I’m still not very good at it. I’ve only caught an average of 3 fish per season. I’d catch a Yellow Perch or a Stone Bass, and feel like an accomplished male, then release it. But the real reward in the sport is in those large, very smart, finicky fish several feet deep under the canoe – the Trout. So this year, I attended an event at the local sporting goods store promoting fly fishing. All of a sudden, my casual hobby has turned into a formula for rocket scientists. And very expensive. Over $250 for a fly fish rod? Anyway, I think the only way I can capture a trout is with my paintbrush. So, here is a watercolor of a Rainbow Trout.

illustration: cherry blossom turtle

Spring is almost here, and so soon the hibernating animals will emerge.  Sleepy-eyed critters, like aquatic turtles peak their heads from the lake, eager to find a floating log and worship the sun. My red-eared turtle models for this illustration, done in digital medium.

red-eared turtle

A Red-Eared Slider climbing out to bask.  It is a chilly winter here, and I long for the warmth of the sun just like this turtle.

photo: lake tahoe wallpaper

These are photos I took while hiking and camping in Lake Tahoe.  They can be used as wallpapers for the computer desktop, or textures for graphic design.  1600 x 1200 pixels.