Featured Daily Sketch: Mimi on My Lap, 2013

March 10, 2026 Bernadette

charcoal sketch of cat on toned paper — “Mimi on My Lap”, black and white charcoal on toned paper, 5″ x 7″, 3/6/2013 © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

From 2013: I’ve been enjoying exploring these sketches that are on mid-tone paper with black and white pencils, in this case charcoal pencils.

I actually didn’t have a sketch for today, too busy with other photos and a kitchen faucet. But I came upstairs to my studio followed by Mimi who was seriously interested in some lap time. She is the perfect subject for this, especially with my work lights shining on her, creating enticing highlights and deep shadows.

From 2026: In retrospect I can say that I really didn’t like how this sketch turned out when I finished it. Per my daily sketch policy I scanned it and posted it anyway. As time passed I’ve liked it more and more and now I love it because I know I really captured a happy Mimi sleeping on my lap, her relaxed posture slightly twisted to accommodate being on my lap.

When I first finish just about anything I do, I’m not happy with it. I’ve learned that it’s probably all the unsettling through all the decisions I’ve made along the way, whether it’s a painting or graphic design or anything there are little and big decisions all the way through. The challenges are fun, but you never really know if it works because you make the decision, do the thing and move on, even if you give it time to get a perspective on that one decision. There are still so many others after that one. At the end you’ve declared it done but settling fully into it can take much longer.

In this case I thought it looked confusing and I should add more detail. But I liked the way the details looked that were there, simple and strong. So rather than trying to rework it—I’ve learned my lesson with that, totally ruining things now and then—I just let it be.

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.

For a gallery of the ones available for sale, visit Portraits of Animals in the “Daily Sketches” section.

"Feline Style Sampler" book of sketches and portraits.

A collection of 34 images of feline artwork

**The award-winning* Feline Style Sampler**

Now in its third printing since 2013! Daily sketches, illustrations, commissioned portraits all in a small coil-bound gift book. Click here or on the image to read more or find this book on Portraits of Animals.

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*Certificate of Excellence, Cat Writers' Association 2014 Communications Contest

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This original sketch is still available. If you’re interested please let me know.

Copyright

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.