Contour drawing animals from life at the zoo!

Contour drawing animals from life at Amsterdam's ARTIS zoo and Belgium's Paira Daiza
In this video I talk about my process for drawing animals from life at the zoo. I also use this to draw animals at home, but zoo animals are especially interesting to draw! I like working with contour line drawing, which especially suits the short time you have to capture the animal's pose before it moves! I show you some of the drawings in my sketchbook from my trips to the zoos- Amsterdam's ARTIS which is my local zoo, and Pairi Daiza in Belgium where I was lucky enough to sleep in a room overnight next to the walrus enclosure! I also talk about how to develop your line drawings in your sketchbook if you don't like some of the (scribbly!) results.
Art equipment pictured in the video:
Seawhites sketchbook 20 x 20: amzn.to/43n5ZUF
Uni-ball eye mircro: amzn.to/3GE9EmW
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[@jayblue-cy5gr]

I completely agree that it's the time paying attention to the animal that's valuable. I have done this with my dogs and even when they seem to be asleep, they must sense that you're looking at them and they move - always! But then, every now and then I get a really beautiful line that captures something about them.

[@mariacheung647]

This is awesome, very inspiring! I have to say that I would never dream of getting a sketchbook out and draw in public 😅 I think that takes some confidence that I lack. But I do draw my cat at home lying in different positions though.
And congratulations on reaching 1k subs, that just shot up in no time ! Well done 👏

[@RoseWildsmith]

Thank you so much! I know what you mean about sketching in public. Sometimes people want to see what you’re doing which can be a bit awkward! But I see lots of people sketching at the zoo so it feels slightly less intimidating than other places. I thank my grandma for taking me sketching at the zoo when I was a kid - it got me used to it very early on!

[@marissapr]

This is amazing and encourages me to do more outlining. I draw a lot but always avoid outlines cause my brain feels more comfortable drawing shadows and light without any contour but... I know I should do more outlining! It's a mental block I have to work with!... Thanks for your beautiful video! ❤ Cheers from the other side of the screen in Mexico ❤❤

[@RoseWildsmith]

That’s so interesting! I find drawing shadows intimidating which is why I decided to just concentrate on contour line drawing. I don’t think you should force yourself to do it if you don’t enjoy it. I was just sharing it as an idea to make drawing feel less scary, not more! I used to be so hung up and inhibited about drawing, but then I discovered blind contour drawing where the focus is on looking at the object and not worrying too much about the result. I found it so freeing! I’m hoping that by sharing the scribbles that don’t look like a finished piece, it encourages people to just have a go and enjoy the process 🤗 Thanks for watching 🙌

[@marissapr]

@@RoseWildsmith Thank you!! I loved the video and certainly feel encouraged! 💖💖

[@RoseWildsmith]

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