I had a lot of fun with this sketch, though I felt sorry for the bumblebee whose nap I interrupted while I was gardening. Apparently it had been hibernating until I disturbed its cozy nook in the soil. At least I woke it up on a nice sunny day!
I did the sketch in pencil outside, then came inside to finish it from a photo I took. I did the yellow parts in watercolor then went to town with my brush pens. I have been wanting to try them out so here was my opportunity. I did the black parts with my Kuretake Brush Pen and the bits of gray with a Tombow Brush Pen. I love how the Kuretake pen works although the ink is water soluble so has to be applied last to keep the lines crisp when using watercolors. I have been searching the web to find a pen like the Kuretake that uses indelible ink. I’ll let you know if I find one.
Maybe I’ll sketch a nice big beetle or a worm next…
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
I am terrified of these actually but your sketches of them are so cute! I could totally why you’re having so much fun doing them ^^
Your bumblebees are really good, I could appreciate all the details in the enlarged view.
Still too cold here for them.
thank you for your nice comment.
What a lovely sketch – the little dotted lines are an inspiration! This is not just any old bee – it is clearly a very specific bee!
That was something I did not know! (that bumblebees hibernated in the soil) Great sketches!
I love bees – what a lucky find for you and what lovely sketches.
Fun sketch. It’s wonderful to be able to do those kind of sketches.
Great sketch. I always thought they stayed in the hive and fed on honey over the winter. I like the drawing with his wings folded up. I’ve never seen something like that.
Well, that was quite an awakening for the bee, and quite a find for you! Very nice and fun drawing. nancy
Ooohh! He’s so neat! Great page, the drawings are wonderful and I love how the dots weave around the page for a dazed bumble bee flight.