Here is a sampling of my sketches from both of our safaris in South Africa and from Zimbabwe and Botswana. Most of these sketches were done in less than a minute, as very few of the animals would stand still for long, if at all. Some are composite sketches of various animals seen in one location at one time, and some are stop and start sketches done of a given animal as it would move and then return briefly to a previous posture, so I could add a bit more to a sketch I had started. I LOVED all the time sketching and am missing the opportunity to view and sketch so much amazing and intriguing wildlife. The sketches with watercolor were started in pencil or pen while on the game drive, with watercolor added later.
Stanley, our tracker, sitting in his seat on the front of the Safari vehicleVictoria Falls watercolor sketchRhino field sketch, watercolor addedElephant field sketches -Kambaku Safari LodgeBuffalo field sketchesLioness eating warthog head field sketchLioness carrying warthog head field sketchI sketched this Burchell’s Starling as it hopped around near me in campElephant field sketch in water-soluble inkLounging lion pride field sketchImpala field sketchYoung male lion sketch, watercolor & inkMopane tree field sketchCheetah, Waterbuck, & Saddle-billed Stork field sketchSleepy lion cubs field sketchTimbavati Nature Reserve field sketchesChobe National Park field sketchesChobe National Park field sketchesWarthog field sketchesBird ID field sketches- Magpie Shrike & Southern Black Flycatcher
I started this painting in Stephie Butler‘s watercolour portraits workshop here last August, but then got busy with life (a new grandchild) and didn’t have a chance to finish it until yesterday. I also often take a while after a workshop to let the ideas and instruction settle in my mind as I practice the techniques on other subjects, before I go back to have another go at the initial subjects. This woman’s smile and obvious joy captured my attention as soon as I saw her photo (by Steve Evans), so I was eager to paint her and attempt to share some of that joy in watercolor.
