Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Platybelodon

Platybelodon
Every one in a while you find an animal that you just can't believe actually existed, but is so delightfully awkward you are just excited they did. The platybelodon is just one of those animals. Rarely does an animal I am unfamiliar with just jump out of my pencil like this one. I love it.

The platybelodon, meaning flat-spear tusk, lived during the late Miocene Epoch in Asia. They are related to the elephant.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Cheetah

Cheeta (ˈCHētə)

The cheetah is listed as vulnerable on the endangered species list. They are worlds fastest land animal.

This was a particular challenge for me on many levels. First I struggled with the facial structure of the cat. In many of my earlier drawings it looked like a dog. Second, was the depiction of speed. In the end I feel I did well on both accounts.

Sketches from Rome

While visiting the Roman Forum, I took a few minutes to sketch the Temple of Castori. Rome is such a beautiful city. I love the ruins.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Asian Elephant

Asian Elephant (ˈāZHən ˈeləfənt)

Even though I have just returned from Europe with my Sketching class, I am already planning next years trip to Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. I am excited to draw some elephants.

The Asian Elephant is on the endanger species list. Their major threat is loss of habitat, but they are also threatened by poaching, and the capture of elephants for domestic use. They are smaller than their African cousins, have smaller ears and not all of then have tusks. Interestingly, they have five toes on their hind feet but only four toenails.

You can find out more about the Asian Elephant at worldwildlife.org

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Barn Owl

Barn Owl (bärn oul)
Another one of our visits this past week was to the Acropolis. As the symbol of Athena is the owl I thought it wise to draw an owl bow tie guy. The barn owl is the one that looks the most wise to me.

Tomorrow I hope to post some of my sketches from the trip.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Hector's Dolphin

Hector's Dolphin ()

Estimated at a population of around 7000, Hector's Dolphin lives along the shallow coast of New Zealand. They are the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world. They are around 4 ft in length. Their biggest threat is baycatching. They are also threatened by pollution and being hit by boats.

I thought I was done with posting dolphin's, but my visit to Delphi inspired me to do one more. You can find out more about them at the World Wildlife website here.

Bow Tie Guy of the Day: Hippocampus

Hippocampus (ˌhipəˈkampəs)

I just got back from Italy and Greece. As part of y visit to Rome, I visited the Trevi Fountain. As part of the fountain there are two Hippocampi, so I thought I would draw one my self.

The Hippocampus is also called the sea horse. It has the forefront of a horse and the tail of a fish. It is commonly thought of as an ancient Greek creature. It is associated with Poseidon, The God of the ocean.