Featured Daily Sketch: Leaf Cats, 2014
I’m not entirely sure where this idea came from except that the three looked like leaves all tucked together and overlapping, especially the autumn leaves lying about on the ground, although I think the blue is reminiscent of leaves in still water. Not sure, but an interesting experiment.
Also, I sketched and painted it upside down from what you see here. That was how they’d been sleeping but when I was finished it was difficult for me to follow. I turned it 180 degrees and it all fell into place.
It’s the boys, Giuseppe, Bean and Mr. Sunshine.
In 2026: I have a few ideas about this 14 years later.
I was right about my inspiration—it’s likely there were leaves in the bird bath, one of the plastic ones that could withstand the water freezing overnight in winter. The leaves wouldn’t be as bright as this in February, but they had been just a month or so before. Could also be looking at photos of leaves on the ground from October-November. I also saw leaves in the creek and stream along Panhandle Trail and also in the woods as I walked there. Either way, that is where the blue came from, the sky reflecting on the surface of water with leaves underneath. I know that I was thinking about pattern fills on some of my daily sketches and other things, and some of the gift items I was conjuring back in 2014.
Could also have been that I was ready for some spring action, just a few leaves would do.
I know when I finished this sketch it did look confusing at the angle I’d drawn it, and for years that was still true. This year, however, it looks just as visually logical from both angles. Here it is from the original angle I’d drawn it.
But I do like the way I presented it back in 2014, 180 degrees from the original angle where the cats were looking upward. I think for anyone else who hadn’t studied this sketch several times that might be the easiest view.
It’s always a good idea to take another look at things you’ve created as time passes.
Daily Sketches 2011 to 2015
I think I accomplished what I'd set out to do three years ago today, a challenge to me and entertainment and enjoyment for you: to create a quick sketch of my cats each day as a way to practice and experiment, and present the sketch on that day with no editing, no waiting, no excuses, just to do the sketch and share it.
Read more about the reason for the daily sketches in Daily Sketches: the Idea, Most Popular, Awards.
Click here to see other daily sketches.
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The original sketch is still available. If you’re interested, please let me know.
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All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission, although links to your site are more than welcome and are shared. Please ask if you are interested in using and image or story in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of an image or a product including it, check my animal and nature website Portraits of Animals to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.
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It’s beautiful, from either direction.
Thanks, it was fun.