Featured Daily Sketch: Three Black Cats, 2013

June 2, 2026 Bernadette

marker sketch of three cats — “Three Black Cats”, brush marker, 8.5″ x 4.5″, 5/24/2013 © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

From 2013: The three boys were on the bed earlier yesterday, barely more than silhouettes in the dim light. If my marker had had more juice I may have captured the sense of silhouettes, but at least this caught the sets of ears. It’s Giuseppe, Sunshine and Bean.

This technique tries to capture the outline in one line, and for this I modified it to be one line per cat because of the way they are positioned. In one method the lines aren’t even supposed to overlap or backtrack, but I like to use loops and overlaps to describe details on the subject.

From 2026: I don’t usually fill those one-line drawings with any color or pattern either, but I’m glad I did here because that’s what makes the sketch for me. I really like the gradation effect from the marker that was low on juice. The shorter lines were darker, but the longer lines, drawn faster, were lighter, so it just happened that their ears and one paw and tail were darkest, then their faces were mid-range as if they had points like Siamese. Today, that’s what I remember about this sketch and I notice it each time I scroll through the folder on my computer with all my daily sketches.

And I’m including the sketch I had in this original post from 2013 because I have ideas about the one below, the one above, and others like them. Scroll down.

What was I sketching a year ago today?

Well, nothing. I wrote an article about my sketches, but no new sketches. But I’m going to post a link to a similar sketch so you can see more of this fun technique.

Three Cats in a Line

line sketch of cats — “Three Cats in a Line”, ink, 6″ x 4″ © Bernadette E. Kazmarski

From 2011 (one of my very first daily sketches!!!): Now for something a little different: one single line for three cats. I admit that it took me a few tries to warm up so I had the control to follow my eye with my hand and create one single line without stopping or lifting my pen that approximated Mewsette, Jelly Bean and Mr. Sunshine.

I’ve moved up from the gel pen, but even the quality felt-tip drawing pen isn’t quite what I want. That’s what the sketches are all about. Experiment, see how it works, and try something new as well as plain old practice.

Without any color fill, these sketches actually make a cool overall pattern, below. Just having a little fun.

From 2026: I’m seeing totes and accessory bags, dish towels, who knows what else? Let me know your ideas!

repeating pattern — Repeating pattern in reverse.

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.

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.