A detailed graphite drawing in a sketchbook of a Scottish Highland cattle in three-quarter profile. The rendering captures the animal’s iconic shaggy coat with layered, directional pencil strokes, and a soft vignette background fades to grey around the subject. A Pentel GraphGear 1000 mechanical pencil rests against the open sketchbook.

Highland cattle graphite study — layers of shaggy fur, loose graphite powder for the background, and Blu-Tack to pull out the light. These animals are endlessly drawable. #sciart #graphite🐄✏️

Graphite sketchbook drawing of a bighorn sheep ram standing in a snow-covered landscape. The ram faces left with large curved horns and detailed fur texture. Sparse winter shrubs and bare branches fill the background. Rendered in graphite on cream paper.

Started this wanting to draw horns. Ended up drawing silence. Bighorn sheep in winter, rendered with Pentel GraphGear 1000s — the .2mm for tiny bare branches, the .5mm 4B for all that fur and shadow. This one was a true joy.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ #sciart #graphite

Graphite and colored pencil sketch of a Northern Hawk Owl perched on a branch, centered on white paper. The bird faces forward with striking yellow eyes, dark facial markings, and warm brown and gray barred plumage. Signed “Mike Hendley.”

A map of the world superimposed with sketches of birds including my hawk owl

Quick sketch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Volunteers had everyone drawing their bird. Standard colored pencils they had on hand, spare paper, 15 minutes of good conversation. Landed on the Northern Hawk Owl. Those eyes did most of the work. #bird #artist #cornell

Thank you. Good point. It is a drawing but since it resides in my sketchbook alongside looser pieces they are all sketches to me 😊

Wow, thank you so much. I share with hope to inspire

Brilliant! Yes, needs a wee bit patience :-)

Nice. It’s a skill that can be developed. Practice and process ;-)

A start of a sketch of a big horn sheep showing its head looking left. Surrounded by two mechanical pencils.

Started a sketch of a big horn sheep this morning. So much change happening this year. Nice to find a few mins to sketch.

Thank you

Thank you

Small watercolor painting of a barn owl perched on a wooden post, rendered in warm golds and soft whites with olive green background. The owl faces slightly left with detailed feather markings. Painted in a realistic style on a trading card sized piece.

Painted this barn owl on a trading card sized piece using Pentel Aquash brushes and QoR watercolors. Worked from a photo reference. Owls are magical. This series is quietly becoming one of my favorite things I make. #sciart #bird

Tiny graphite sketch of an eastern spadefoot amphibian in a small cream sketchbook. The animal sits in profile with textured skin, a round reflective eye, and softly shaded legs. Mechanical pencils rest beside the page, emphasizing the delicate, detailed line work.

Sketched an eastern spadefoot in my tiny sketchbook using Pentel GraphGear 1000 pencils (.2 HB, .3 2B, .5 4B). Weird little amphibian that isn't really a frog or a toad. They can stay buried underground for months or years, waiting for rain. #sciart #pencil #art

Small watercolor painting of a cedar waxwing perched on a thin branch with red berries. The bird has a soft tan body, black eye mask, gray wings, and yellow tail tip. The miniature artwork is mounted in a sleeve and displayed in a rigid card holder in someone's hand.

Just finished this cedar waxwing artist trading card. Painted with QoR watercolors on hot press paper using a Pentel water brush. Waxwings love berries so much they sometimes get tipsy from fermented fruit. Painting this felt like holding a quiet breath. Affordable originals ;-) #bird #sciart

Hand holding a gray pen between two small square cards with ballpoint sketches of birds. Left card shows a fluffy tufted titmouse on a branch. Right card shows a black capped chickadee perched on twigs. A sign behind asks "Where do you find beauty in nature?" on an inspiration wall.

Lunchtime stop at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca. Two 15 minute ballpoint sketches. A black capped chickadee and a tufted titmouse. I left them on the inspiration wall. Tiny birds. Tiny drawings. Somehow it still feels like leaving a small conversation with nature behind. #sciart #bird

Tiny graphite sketch of a gray mouse lemur peeking from behind textured tree bark in a small pocket sketchbook. The lemur's wide round eyes face forward while soft fur shading contrasts with the dark vertical bark.

Started this tiny gray mouse lemur sketch over coffee in a café in Ithaca and finished it after work. A father and daughter nearby asked to see the sketchbook which was a nice surprise. Graphite with Pentel Graphgear pencils. Fun fact: gray mouse lemurs are the smallest primates on Earth. #sciart

A start of a sketch of a lemur looking out through a hole in a tree. In a sketchbook with pencils in the background.

I’m back in Ithaca NY visiting my daughter for a few days. Of course I sketched over some coffee at Ithaca Bakery before starting my day. #wip #sciart

Graphite drawing of a pair of chestnut breasted mannikins perched on thin twigs in a small open sketchbook. The two birds sit one above the other, softly shaded with dark faces and patterned chests. A hand holds the page, with pencils and a coffee cup behind.

A pair of chestnut breasted mannikins on thin twigs, started on the train and finished with all that track rhythm still in the lines. Pentel Graphgear 1000 in 2B, 4B, HB. Blender and BluTack to shape the graphite. These birds move in social flocks, almost like shared breath. #bird #sciart #graphite

Thank you

Small watercolor of a European barn owl peeking through a weathered brick wall. Warm ochres and soft creams define the textured bricks, while the owl's pale heart shaped face is gently in focus, creating depth against a subtly blurred background.

Started this European barn owl yesterday on the train to Toronto and finished it waiting to head back to Ottawa. Painted in my A6 Etchr sketchbook with Pentel Aquash brushes and Golden QoR watercolors. #sciart #bird

Small graphite sketch of a Cooper's hawk perched on a tree branch, drawn in a tiny cream sketchbook. The hawk faces left with detailed feather texture and a sharp, watchful eye, rendered in 4B pencil. A hand holds the book with a silver mechanical pencil below.

Train ride to Toronto, tiny sketchbook open. Drew this Cooper's hawk from photos I took near downtown Ottawa. Pentel GraphGear 1000 .5 mm with 4B lead. They can pivot mid air to chase prey through trees. Sketching it felt steadier than the rails. #bird #sciart

thanks so much

thank you

Detailed watercolor painting of a western grebe floating on calm water with its reflection mirrored below. A tiny owl sketch rests between its feathers. Painted in golden tones in an Etchr A5 hot press sketchbook, held in hand beside QoR watercolors and Pentel Aquash brush pens.

Malignant.

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and surgery is coming soon. Season 2 of the podcast is delayed and I will not be teaching until fall. This western grebe, painted in QoR watercolors with Pentel Aquash pens, reminds me that even on water that feels unsteady, we can still rise.

Detailed watercolor painting of a western grebe floating on calm water with its reflection mirrored below. A tiny owl sketch rests between its feathers. Painted in golden tones in an Etchr A5 hot press sketchbook, held in hand beside QoR watercolors and Pentel Aquash brush pens.

Malignant.

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and surgery is coming soon. The podcast is delayed and I will not be teaching until fall. This western grebe, painted with QoR watercolors with Pentel Aquash pens, reminds me that even on water that feels unsteady, we can still rise. #birds #sciart

Detailed graphite sketch of a pangolin in grass, drawn in a pocket sketchbook with a Pentel Graphgear 1000 .5mm mechanical pencil. No erasing or blending.

Gave this pangolin 45 mins last night. Been avoiding it for months--was saving it for oils. But I needed to draw, even if it was quick. One pencil (4B), no erasing, no blending, no glasses. Just marks and motion. Sometimes the sketch is the real piece. The oil will come. #sciart #pencil

This 👇💯

Thank you

A realistic graphite drawing of a Barbary striped grass mouse with distinct dark stripes, perched on a piece of heavily textured bark. The mouse is alert, and the shading is soft and blended. The drawing is in an open sketchbook with pencils nearby.

Finally finished this Barbary striped grass mouse using Pentel Graphgear 1000s (.3 and .5). I used a tortillon for the blur and BluTack for those tiny highlights. I honestly might enjoy drawing the bark more than the mouse. Reference by the great Edwin Butter. #sciart

Graphite drawing of a winter American goldfinch perched on a bare branch, sketched in a notebook using fine mechanical pencils.

Sketched this goldfinch over two quiet mornings. They’re great subjects for beginner or seasoned artists. Subtle textures, soft value shifts, no pressure to get loud. Pentel GraphGear .3 & .5 pencils (2B/4B) and a tortillon to blend. #bird #sciart

A realistic watercolor painting of a northern hawk owl perched on a branch, with its reflection below. Painted on A6 Etchr hot press paper.

Painted this northern hawk owl after it made a surprise visit to our city. Got lost in its eyes and those stripes. Watercolor in an A6 Etchr sketchbook, Golden paints, Art Toolkit palette. Referenced a photo by Harry Foster. Quiet but somehow loud inside. #bird #sciart