Zoo Drawings!

On a rare trip I actually got out of the house, treated myself to a visit to the zoo with my daughter and a friend. Because I am such a fan of Natural History and I like to draw inventive animal figures, sketching at the zoo was cake. The variety of shapes, silohuettes, and the rhythm of anatomy is just astounding. I have not drawn at the zoo in years. I was focused on strange lesser known animals and am just floored at what I did not know existed in the world of mammals. Ever hear of a muntjac, an agouti, a babirusa, or a chevrotain? (And who the heck names these creatures??) These creatures will be models for the World of LePardine, as she lives in the Ice Age World of Mammals.

My challenge while drawing in public was trying to ignore rude children and the ignorant and disrespectful behaviors of both parents and children. I come quietly, draw quietly, and leave quietly; I don't yell and scream at the poor, hot jag pacing fanatically in it's cage and maybe this is one of the reasons I don't go to the zoo much. Also I have a big problem with blood sugar levels; my line is fluid and accurate in the morning and quickly disintegrates as the day goes on. Thus, I can count on 2 solid hours of real good work while out in the field sketching.

Drawn with a ball point pen in my color journal. My favorite tool? A Hello Kitty fine point which has dependable and fluid ink.