How to Draw a Woodchuck

Susan Bronsak has been a loyal friend, follower and contributer to this Summer Sketching Series for several years now. Her watercolor, sketching and journaling work is inspiring. Once again, thank you so much Susan!

Check out Susan's work and her great woodchuck post here! 

Draw A Cat Portrait

I did this shape and feature diagram sketch this morning. It's similar to the one I did for the horse head. Please let me know if this is of any value to any of you, if you have questions or if you need it broken down more, step by step.

Susan Bronsak sent in her first cat sketch already! Wow, I just love her enthusiasm! She wrote; "I had trouble with this one……particularly the face.  Normally I avoid frontal views and prefer the backsides because I don’t have to worry about features.  But then that’s what challenges are all about….right?  Stepping outside one’s comfort zone?  Here’s what I did using your photo.  I look forward to seeing what you do and how you approach it."

I think you did a super job, Susan. Princess does appear to be tipping forward a little in the reference photo and your sketch but other than that, it's a great first attempt. I think I will straighten her out a bit when I do my drawing. I would suggest doing a sketch of just her face, using my notes here as a guide.

Horse Challenge ~ What Am I Doing Wrong?

Ok friends, I got one, just one person, to send in their horse head challenge this week. What am I doing wrong? Why isn't anyone else participating? Go ahead. Be truthful. Tough love. I can take it. I could really use some feedback here folks. I can't believe that none of you has a half an hour to draw sometime during the week. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece and can even be a doodle on a sales receipt. A word of warning though, it probably will take you out of your comfort zone a little the first couple of times. Just remember, it takes practice to get into "the zone" with drawing. It's hard for me sometimes too. I just keep talking to myself; "It's just a shape, look at the shape, it's not a thing." Even if you don't send it in or post it, just do it! Do it for yourself and please (as a favor), do it for me. If you tell me you did one, I'll believe you.


Susan Bronsak is a fabulous artist with a very lively and informative blog and website. She has been following along pretty religiously with me for the past twelve days. Check out her blog and this post to see the reference for her sketch. She tells me that my drawing everyday has rekindled her inspiration and desire to draw. Thank you Susan. You make this so much more fun for me! Your drawings are super and your enthusiasm is contagious!

Here is my sketch for last week's challenge. Notice I'm using the side of my pencil (holding it like a wand or a brush) more and more these days. I used my shape system here, but for the head and neck structure of an upper level Dressage horse, I curved all the lines more. You just have to play with it. Don't take it so seriously, look at SHAPES and loosen up. (All pep-talk . . . for myself as well, of course.)

Here's my finished drawing with watercolor wash applied.

If anyone is interested in another challenge, let me see a show of hands.

More Horse Heads And Some Reader Participation!

Susan Bronsak writes: "Something I've struggled with through the years is the use of shapes in forming my subjects.  Sandy's first exercise for 2011 is just that, using simple shapes (triangle, circle, and square) to create this horse's head.  Although there's room for improvement with my results, I found her exercise easy and definitely fun to follow along." 

I'm impressed with Susan's drawing and her notes.  She has reminded me to do more of the same with my own sketching. You think you'll remember these details and things, but you don't.

By varying the position and size of the shapes and elements, you will be able to portray different breeds and characteristics. I tried out my theory this morning in the doctor's office. I did these the same way as yesterday, just "head copy"- with no reference. By using this simple formula of circle, square and triangle, it was easy. Both of these were done in less than five minutes while waiting for my check-up in the little exam room. Of course that led to discussion about drawing and talent vs. aptitude and desire with my doc. when she walked in.  What fun!

Surprise, surprise! When I got home, I found that Susan had posted another horse drawing on her blog! I hope she is not getting tired of drawing horses, because I sure am not getting tired of seeing them!! And again, she's got notes and valuable insights to go along with the sketch! 

BTW - Susan is also a daily sketcher and has a wonderful blog, sbwatercolors and sketching "Created and maintained as inspiration for others who wish to tap into their creative self and venture into the world of watercolor painting and sketching."

Here is a photo of my mare in profile view to copy and use as reference. She is a good example of a Thoroughbred / Warmblood type. I recommend observing  side views of different horse breeds to get a better idea of the many variations.

My first sketching challenge is to draw or paint a horse in profile view. You can customize it by depicting a certain breed or individual if you wish. Here's a painting I did yesterday using this (basic shapes) system and Rita's photo for reference..

Please draw along with me this summer and use my photos and sketches here on

Sketching Everyday.com and DrawingEveryday.com, to grow and learn. I do appreciate the credit given to me and my blog when you are describing your piece of art if and when posting it, however. example: This sketch was done from a photograph (or sketch) provided on www.SketchingEveryday.com, where artists are encouraged to participate. Sketch (or Photo) Used with permission - © Sandy Sandy

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