Drawing inspiration from wildlife webcams

A video drawing demo to help you draw inspiration from the animal world!

My art has changed dramatically since I started drawing at the zoo every week.

I approach a blank page with urgency and excitement. Instead of overthinking how I’ll draw a subject, I just go for it.

Why practice drawing live animals?

• They come in a variety of fun shapes

• Interesting textures & colors

• Entertaining and inspiring to watch 

• You need them in your portfolio¹

You can draw live animals without practically living at the zoo, like I have the last year. In fact, practicing from webcams has benefits² you won’t find from a trip to the zoo and it saves loads of time.

Tips for drawing live animals

• Remove any expectation of creating a finished illustration.

• Look first. What do you notice? Usually for me it’s paw placement or how the head is tilted or resting.

• Focus on the overall shape of the animal, instead of details.

I made this video to show you my favorite animal cam app³ and how I use it to make an illustration in my sketchbook. (If you only want to watch the drawing demo, fast forward to 13:00)

Prompt

Explore drawing from a webcam! Use zoolife or explore.org to sketch some animals. Not sure which species to start with? Think about the ones you loved most as a child and start there!

Which animals are you most excited to draw?

Materials & Mentions

• Daler Rowney Aquifine Watercolor Liquid

• Derwent Inktense Pencils

• Pentel Waterbrushes

• 25% zoolife coupon code for paid members

• That Silly Color Wheel - color temperature exercises with a lion

1. That’s what my agent told me last year, and it’s why I got a zoo membership. The thrill of spontaneity kept me going back multiple times a week. I love that I can get that same excitement from live animal cams!

2. Like not having the public walk up behind you and spy on your sketchbook. Or interrupt you to tell you they can’t draw a stick figure.

3. Paid members can get a 25% discount on a zoolife membership for drawing practice! I don't get any commission or kickback if you join zoolife -- I just love the app and want to share it! The developers were kind enough to give a generous discount to Introvert Drawing Club members. If you upgrade your membership by September 1, you’ll lock in the $7 price before it increases. That’s the lowest it will ever be!