Before I continue with today’s topic, I just wanted to thank everyone who left a comment and added to the discussion of last week’s post about my shopping ban for 2020. I did not expect such a massive resonance, and I’m grateful you all shared your own stories and thoughts about having less stuff (or feeling the need for it). I’m especially excited that some of you want to join me for this year of consuming less! I will share from time to time how my experiment is going for me – you’re invited to do the same if you like!
Now, on to my sketchbook. If you prefer a video version of this sketchbook tour, I’ve also filmed a video of this blog post:
I’d like to reactivate this series of sharing things from my sketchbook, although I have to say December wasn’t a particularly exciting month in terms of sketchbook work. I did a lot of pencil studies of mammals, partly at the museum and partly at home, and quick studies of fishes for a project. I’ve found a few quick landscapes, and even a few pages that I’d describe as nature journaling with sketches done in the field. This season is great for bird watching if you manage to get out. If you’re looking for more ideas to sketch during the winter months, take a look at my class “Drawing Ideas for Winter”.
All in all, this month was a very mixed bag for me sketchbook-wise.
Cormorants in the local park. These guys swim around and then dive to hunt for small fish. One of them (an adolescent) came surprisingly close and let me watch him.
My first page of mammal studies, here a red deer where I tried to make sense of the anatomy, and a few quick watercolor sketches.
A few different freshwater fishes as quick studies for a project.
Here you can see the illustrations for the finished project.
More mammal anatomy, this time a horse. I’ve added a few muscle masses over the bones. If you’ve never studied this before, it’s fascinating, and helps when drawing these critters from the side.
More mammal studies in pencil, this time focusing on the gait. I’ve worked from photos here, after realizing that in the museum you often see animals in unrealistic positions. But for studying skeletons it’s great!
And a real page of nature journaling, as I observed kinglets in the park. I’ve never seen them before here, but the whole tree was filled with soft chirps and movement. These are the smallest birds in Europe, even smaller than chickadees/tits, and I remembered the story I’ve read about them in one of Bernd Heinrich’s books. He is a naturalist in Maine and writes wonderful books about nature, and studied the behavior of these small birds – apparently they cuddle together in winter when it gets really cold to preserve body heat. The kinglets I saw seemed more relaxed, but they were still moving and searching food all the time. On the opposite page, some deer studies – I’m still getting the hang of drawing mammals snouts and poses.
Another page with mammal studies, this time a hare in different poses. Memories of summer flowers on the right side, based on a few garden photos from last year. I meant to add more details but ran out of time, now I find the simple forms strangely appealing, if unfinished.
This was an outtake of my sketchbook in December – I just realized I haven’t been doing these outtakes in a long time. I hope you enjoyed it! I’d love to hear what you have been drawing lately!
I am glad that these ” My sketch book in” series is back! Always such a wonderful source of inspiration. Love your mammals study, I think I am going to try it myself too!
Also thanks for the video on how to build your own sketchbook and the blog entry about resting ourselves from endlessly wanting to try and buy new things. I agree, what I have is enough for a year at least and I am just going to try and focus on that and use my energy in trying to draw more instead of thinking what kind of material will make me better at drawing !
I’m glad to hear you enjoy these sketchbook tours, I’m planning on sharing outtakes more regularly again!
And all the best with focusing on what you have this year – good decision!
I’ve just been to a weekend workshop on drawing birds. We worked from taxidermy specimens which was wonderful because you could see them from all the different sides and angles
That sounds like a wonderful opportunity to really look at the details of each bird!
Hi Julia, I love reading your posts and seeing your drawings. Your animal projects are beautifully created. Currently I am working on drawing one of my miniature horses. Thanks for sharing.
Irene in Canada.
Thank you Irene! Drawing miniature horses sounds like fun, too.
I enjoyed seeing your sketchbook, especially with your commentary. Your suggestion to study bones and musculature is a great idea. Thanks so much!
Thank you Genie!