sketch: jack rabbit

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.

sketch: giant squid vs whale

Two giants of the seas battle each other for dominance. This is an alternate drawing of my giant squid vs whale theme. Perhaps they are not fighting, but actually kissing?

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.

drawing: blue whale

In the ocean hall of the American Museum of Natural History, hangs a life-sized replica of the largest animal on Earth, the Blue Whale.

The is definitely the grandest still-life I had ever drawn. It was extra special to do because groups of school kids would pass behind me and comment. They were amused by my sketching of the enormous subject.

This is my first post of 2011. Happy New Year, everybody!

illustration: angler fish

Based on a real creature from the deepest realm of the sea, this illustration is of an angler fish, and an unsuspecting little guy.

Happy Earth Day, by the way. Let’s do something to help our environment, such as recycle our disposables properly, or bike to our destinations more. Continue good habits every day! Do environmentally sound things so that all creatures, great and small, can live on as naturally as possible.

Have you done something for Earth today?

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.

illustration: prehistoric sea (v2)

Here is sea full of prehistoric creatures including amphibians, fish, trilobites, and a Eurypterid, a descendant of the horseshoe crab. The collage-style composition is inspired by exhibits at the Natural History Museum. This is a print of my original pen and ink drawing, color painted digitally. Prints are available for sale in my store.