Throwback Thursday: American Coot Watercolor

This is an older painting, probably from 2002. I still remember sketching this stuffed specimen in the Royal Ontario Museum. My wife had a conference in Toronto, so I tagged along and spent three full days drawing at the ROM. … Continued

Blue Dasher Dragonfly (5×7-inch Transparent Watercolor): Throwback Thursday

Summer is a great time for dragonflies, damselflies and painting! In my opinion insects really lend themselves well to the small 5×7-inch format. A few years ago I had a lot of fun painting several Odes, the nickname for Odonata, which is the … Continued

Ruby Meadowhawk Dragonfly Pencil Sketch p14

posted in: Sketchbook, Sketches | 0

I’m a big fan of dragonflies. To draw them, I take tons of photos for reference. I also have some dead ones that I use for reference on tiny details like wing venation. I typically use a 200-400mm lens with … Continued

Calico Pennant Dragonfly Transparent Watercolor Step-by-Step

posted in: Finished Paintings, Step-by-Step | 0

Calico Pennants are beautiful dragonflies. Their spots vary in color from yellow to bright red depending on age and gender. Adult males have red, heart-shaped spots on their abdomens. Original painting is available here.  Prints are available here. 

Male Blue Dasher Dragonfly Step-by-Step

posted in: Finished Paintings, Step-by-Step | 0

These are pretty common dragonflies, but they are simply spectacular. Their eyes alone seem to have at least seven or eight colors on them! Those beautiful eyes, striped body and transparent wings made for a fun painting to work on. … Continued

Bluet Pencil Sketch

posted in: Sketches | 0

The warm weather has finally arrived in Michigan. That means that the damselfly and dragonfly season is finally here! Unfortunately we are also up to our armpits in mosquitoes. Speaking of unwanted arthropods,we are being overrun by ticks. Up until … Continued