Sketchbook Challenge
Draw a Dog a Day
In an effort to improve my drawing and sketching skills, especially using charcoals, I have challenged myself to draw a dog a day and my aim is for the people to know that it is a drawing of “their” dog not just “a”dog - watch this space to see how long I manage to keep it going…
I must also say a big thank you to the wonderful photographers from the “Free Reference Photos for Artists” group on Facebook who generously share their photographs and have provided the majority of the reference photos used here.
Day 1 : 23 July 2022 - Food or Toy?
Day 2 : 24 July 2022 - Maya's Seat
Day 3 : 26 July 2022 - Ted and Sadie (with thanks to Sharon @woolypaws)
Day 4 : 1 August 2022 - Ted (with thanks to Sharon @woolypaws)
Day 5 : 11 August 2022 (bit of a break whilst I took advantage of the weather to do a bit of plein air painting) - not a dog (obviously!) but I wanted to see if I could capture texture in the feathers
Day 6 : 15 August 2022 - a test for a commission. I quite like how KJ came out but in the end I went for a different image for the client
Day 7 : 18 August 2022 - also not a dog, but my roof has sprung a rather major leak, and this expression matches how I feel today
Day 8 : 21 August 2022 - trying something new, covering the page with charcoal and then removing the lighter areas. Very messy (or maybe that's just me) but definitely worth experimenting with
Day 9 : 21 August 2022 - bonus sketch, and yes, I know these aren't dogs either, but I liked the photo
Day 10 : 22 August 2022 - thanks to @buttonstheairedale, and next time I'm aiming to get him all one page!
Day 11 : 25 August 2022 - Obi on guard. This was just supposed to be a quick warmup before doing a commission, but the client liked it so much I had to cut the page out of my sketchbook and send it as well!
Day 12 : 28 August 2022 - Buttons again (with thanks to @buttonstheairedale)
Day 13 : 29 August 2022 - Olly watching the world go by
Day 14 : 30 August 2022 - Ain't nothing by a (coon) hound dog...
Day 15 : 31 August 2022 - I do like a little Airedale, and this gorgeous girl is called Winnie (the Pooh)
Day 16 : 31 August 2022 - bonus sketch, well some work better than others and I just couldn't get the eyes right on this one
Day 17 : 1 September 2022 - looking off into the distance
Day 18 : 2 September 2022 - you don't usually see a springer spaniel sitting this still, so I had to make the most of the opportunity
Day 19 : 3 September 2022 - I seem to given this lad a bit of a black eye
Day 20 : 4 September 2022 - two dogs today, and trying out some new pencils
Day 21 : 5 September 2022 - checking for leaks through my new roof seals - hooray, there aren't any
Day 22 : 6 September 2022 - this is Digby (@digby_diggles) demonstrating the fine art of beach gymnastics - with stick
Day 22 : 6 September 2022 - bonus sketch, and this lad looks as though there's something much more interesting going on next door
Day 23 : 7 September 2022 - having a snooze on the sofa. Sounds like a plan whilst it's raining
Day 24 : 8 September 2022 - I'm suffering from "ear envy" - don't they look stroke-able?
Day 24 : 8 September 2022 - bonus sketch, because it's the end of the era, and it felt appropriate that today's dog should be a corgi - RIP Your Majesty
Day 25 : 9 September 2022 - a lovely couple of Westies who look like they are plotting something - I wonder what?
Day 26 : 10 September 2022 - inspired by a photograph from @windsor.royal.family
Day 27 : 11 September 2022 - What ya doing? tonight's dog is the rather magnificent Invincible
Day 28 : 13 September 2022 - it didn't matter how many times I redrew the eyes and nose I couldn't get the proportions quite right. One to retry another time
Day 29 : 14 September 2022 - a day late for "Tongue out Tuesday" but never mind
Day 30 : 17 September 2022 - lots of fluff and rocking a rather smart bandana
Day 31 : 18 September 2022 - I really must get better at fitting tails on the same page!
Day 32 : 19 September 2022 - it probably shoud have been a corgi, but I couldn't bring myself to draw one whilst I was watching the Queen's funeral
Day 32 : 19 September 2022 - bonus sketch, a rather spiffy little cockapoo called Bruno (with thanks to @anarchy_yeti)
Day 33 : 20 September 2022 - Nellie and Duffey, better known as the Hairy Bears, looking slightly shorter than usually because I started with their heads and didn't leave enough space for their bodies - oops (with thanks to @the_hairy_bears)
Day 33 : 20 September 2022 - bonus sketch, and what a wonderfully lived in face
Day 34 : 21 September 2022 - a whippet, ready and waiting to launch...!
Day 35 : 22 September 2022 - a very quick scribble of a rather majestic doberman
Day 36 : 23 September 2022 - Doris and Burtie hard at work keeping the sofa warm (thanks to @sarahcoxartist)
Day 37 : 24 September 2022 - take two for the doberman, now in colour!
Day 38 : 25 September 2022 - modelling a rather smart tuxedo and bow tie look
Day 39 : 26 September 2022 - a smiley labrador, just because...
Day 40 : 27 September 2022 - a rather cheerful St Bernard. Why have I never drawn one of these before?!
Day 41 : 28 September 2022 - are you sure? (thanks to @neilweatherley)
Day 42 : 29 September 2022 - still working on starting in the right place on the page to get the legs the right length
Day 43: 1 October 2022 - a rather statuesque Great Dane
Day 44 : 3 October 2022 - You what?!
Day 45 : 4 October 2022 - feeling a bit down tonight
Day 46 : 5 October 2022 - I'm going to have to work on that head tilt a bit more. She looked far more confused in the original
Day 46 : 5 October 2022 - bonus sketch, by special request may I introduce Phoebe
Day 47 : 7 October 2022 - A bit of an action shot tonight, although I think I've made him look a bit cross-eyed
Day 48 : 8 October 2022 - something a bit different because I spent the day doing a drypoint etching course, so today's dog is a print rather than a sketch
Day 49 : 9 October 2022 - a rather beautiful rough collie. I only wish I hadn't added it's legs in because it makes it look a bit stunted
Day 50 : 10 October 2022 - I couldn't resist having a go at Bruno peeking through the bannisters (thanks to @anarchy_yeti)
Day 51 : 11 October 2022 - as a happy birthday to one of my friends, this is his beautiful little spaniel Isla
Day 52 : 12 October 2022 - a slightly worried border collie
Day 52 : 12 October 2022 - bonus sketch, a briard in a breeze and not a self portrait of me in a high wind!
Day 53 : 13 October 2022 - a gorgeous red setter who only just stayed on the page. I really must plan better if I'm going to start with the nose and work outwards - or get a bigger sketchbook
Day 54 : 14 October 2022 - for a bit of variety, tonight's dog is actually a cat (in case you couldn't tell!)
Day 54 : 14 October 2022 - it's no good, I couldn't not draw a dog tonight
Day 55 : 15 October 2022 - rather appropriately because I got my hair cut today, here is a poodle with a perm
Day 56 : 16 October 2022 - just can't resist that puppy sit
Day 57 : 17 October 2022 - the rather gorgeous Archie
Day 58 : 18 October 2022 - a bit of a smile collie for Tongue Out Tuesday
Day 59 : 19 October 2022 - I've drawn this hound before but I couldn't resist having another go at that expression
Day 60 : 20 October 2022 - looking a bit serious
Day 61 : 21 October 2022 - Bear looking very handsome in his orange scarg ready for Halloween (thanks to @veeandbear)
Day 61 : 21 October 2022 - bonus sketch - slightly different tonight, using pen instead of charcoal
Day 62 : 22 October 2022 - a rather spiffing fox hound
Day 63 : 24 October 2022 - I think this little chap must have lent against some wet paint
Day 64 : 25 October 2022 - a bit rough and ready tonight. I reckon this little fella must have been wriggling whilst I was drawing
Day 65 : 26 October 2022 - a rather shiny red setter who appears to be preparing to leap up and lick some poor unsuspecting passerby
Day 66 : 27 October 2022 - I must admit that of all the terriers, Yorkies are probably my least favourite (the chocolate bars on the other hand are a whole different matter!) but there was something quite appealing about this pup
Day 67 : 28 October 2022 - by special request, and for a bit of variety, tonight's dog is a horse
Day 68 : 29 October 2022 - this is Maya
Day 68 : 29 October 2022 - bonus sketch, the perfect animal to draw in charcoal - a horse wearing stripey pyjamas, otherwise known as a zebra
Day 69 : 30 October 2022 - pretending to be curtains wearing the tieback
Day 70 : 31 October 2022 - it's Halloween, so tonight's sketch had to be a bat or spider, and I didn't feel like drawing that many legs!
Day 70 : 31 October 2022 - BOO!!
Day 71 : 1 November 2022 - Albert (thanks to @helenmiltonartist)
Day 72 : 2 November 2022 - this is a bit how I feel having stuck my head out the door to see how bad the weather is (FYI very wet and windy)
Day 73 : 3 November 2022 - are you sitting comfortably? then here's tonight's dog...sitting comfortably
Day 74 : 4 November 2022 - something a bit different, a rather statuesque shoebill stork
Day 74 : 4 November 2022 - bonus sketch, I'm ignoring you!
Day 74 : 5 November 2022 - this little chap looks like he could do with a snooze - I can relate
Day 75 : 5 November 2022 - bonus sketch, I'm on a drawing roll tonight, so you get an extra sleepy puppy
Day 76 : 6 November 2022 - a Belgian shepherd dog
Day 77 : 7 November 2022 - say hello to this very huggable chowchow
Day 78 : 8 November 2022 - smile!
Day 79 : 9 November 2022 - looking serious
Day 80 : 10 November 2022 - I'm a sucker for a puppy sit
Day 81 : 11 November 2022 - this little chap looks a bit lost
Day 82 : 12 November 2022 - Frobby, gone but not forgotten
Day 83 : 13 November 2022 - two for the price of one, the rather gorgeous Ser Jorah and Nymeria (thanks to @ser.jorah.pawmont)
Day 84 : 14 November 2022 - trying something a little different, and covering up the first attempt that went horribly wrong!
Day 85 : 15 November 2022 - someone wants a treat
Day 86 : 16 November 2022 - by special request, this is Lucy
Day 87 : 17 November 2022 - waiting to go to the park. Why is it taking so long?
Day 88 - 18 November 2022 - slightly late (well he had a lie-in) is Elvin, hard at work getting ready for the weekend (thanks to @professormunkles)
Day 89 : 19 November 2022 - Hmm?
Day 90 : 20 November 2022 - time for a haircut I think
Day 91 : 21 November 2022 - short and sweet
Day 92 : 22 November 2022 - making plans for world domination... mwahahahhaaahaaaa!!
Day 93 : 23 November 2022 - Hello there!
Day 94 : 24 November 2022 - an elegantly recling borzoi
Day 95 : 25 November 2022 - it's been a long week Zzzzzz
Day 96 : 27 November 2022 - Daisy aka Audacious - welcome to the family
Day 97: 28 November 2022 - Hmm...
Day 98 : 29 November 2022 - may I present the ever fabulous Sadie and Ted (thanks to Sharon @woolypaws)
Day 99 : 30 November 2022 - another dog duo, but somewhat dinkier terriers this time
Day 100 : 1 December 2022 - Happy tongue out Tues...oh wait...two days late. Never mind
Day 101 : 2 December 2022 - it's so fluffy!!
Day 102 : 3 December 2022 - black dogs aren't easy without going overboard with the charcoal, but I thought this elegant poodle deserved a more refined approach than yesterday's dog
Day 102 : 3 December 2022 - bonus sketch, chilling on a Saturday night
Day 103 : 4 December 2022 - that Sunday evening feeling...
Day 104 : 5 December 2022 - it's only Monday...
Day 105 : 6 December 2022 - right said Fred Bassett
Day 106 : 7 December 2022 - whatya doing up there?
Day 107 : 8 December 2022 - the gorgeous and very smiley Missus Ippi (no I didn't name her!) modelling a rather fetching bandana (thanks to @ippi.dog)
Day 108 : 9 December 2022 - getting ready for the weekend is a serious business
Day 109 : 10 December 2022 - please be upstanding (thanks to @ottothefox)
Day 110 : 11 December 2022 - looking far too alert for this time on a Sunday evening
Day 111 : 12 December 2022 - I fancied a change tonight, so this is Ian - he's my favourite! (@thelivingrugcompany)
Day 112 : 13 December 2022 - this is Emma, a Llewellin set, not a breed I've come across before
Day 113 : 14 December 2022 - if I say please nicely, can I have another biscuit?
Day 114 : 15 December 2022 - to celebrate finishing work for the year (more time for drawing and painting I hope), I present not one...not two...but three border terriers
Day 115 : 16 December 2022 - Yes?!
Day 116 : 18 December 2022 - me before I brush my hair in the morning!
Day 117 : 19 December 2022 - looking far more alert than I feel
Day 118 : 20 December 2022 - Dobby
Day 119 - 21 December 2022 - staring off into the distance
Day 120 : 22 December 2022 - just couldn't resist this happy grin
Day 121 : 23 December 2022 - this miniature Schauzer seems quite grumpy. Maybe it's because he can't see past his rather impressive Dennis Healey eyebrows
Day 122 : 24 December 2022 - busy night for reindeer!
Day 123 : 25 December 2022 - this dog should really be lying on its back with its feet in the air sleeping off Christmas lunch, but instead I think that this one is getting ready to have seconds!
Day 124 : 26 December 2022 - recling after eating his bodyweight in cheese
Day 125 : 27 December 2022 - some assembly required...Afghan hound sleeping position no. 43
Day 126 : 28 December 2022 - it's been a long day
Day 127 : 29 December 2022 - Bully for you! or should that be a bully for you?
Day 128 : 30 December 2022 - this chap is the partner in crime of yesterday's dog. Who knows what dastardly deeds they are plotting? Mwahahhaahhhaaaa!
Day 129 : 31 December 2022 - last dog of the year. How did that happen?
Day 130 : 1 January 2023 - first dog of the year and of course it had to be an Airedale!
Day 131 : 2 January 2023 - these always remind me of the Lassie films they used to show on Saturday afternoons (showing my age there!)
Day 132 : 3 January 2023 - a serious little dog for my first day back at work
Day 133 : 4 January 2023 - dandruff? no, he uses Head and Shoulders (joking! I'm fairly sure you shouldn't use Head and Shoulder on your dog!)
Day 134 : 5 January 2023 - A 'tache like that really needs a monocle to go with it - then again, there might be one already under that fringe!
Day 135 : 6 January 2023 - Just how I feel after the first week back at work...definitely ready for the weekend
Day 136 - 7 January 2023 - Yes?!
Day 137 - 8 January 2023 - yes, I know it's not a dog, but I do love a Herdy
Day 138 : 9 January 2023 - never got a hair clip when you need one!
Day 139 : 10 January 2023 - how has such a small puppy managed to sneak her tail onto a second page?
Day 140 : 11 January 2023 - black dogs are always a challenge to draw, but I'm quite chuffed with how this fella has come out
Day 141 : 12 January 2023 - hello up there!
Day 142 : 13 January 2023 - getting ready for the weekend is a serious business
Day 143 : 14 January 2023 - anyone for tennis? New balls please...
Day 144 : 15 January 2023 - a very quick sketch with slightly odd perspective
Day 145 : 16 January 2023 - Here's looking at you kid
Day 146 : 17 January 2023 - how can it only be Tuesday?
Day 147 : 18 January 2023 - this is Dusky, barking mad and owner of a lunatic fringe
Day 148 : 19 January 2023 - very soulful looking lad tonight. Hopefully he'll cheer up when he realises it's nearly the weekend.
Day 149 : 20 January 2023 - happy weekend from this smiley little dog
Day 150 : 21 January 2023 - smile! it's Saturday!
Day 151 : 22 January 2023 - surveying my domain
Day 152: 23 January 2023 - quite a serious Westie for a Monday night
Day 153 : 24 January 2023 - something a bit different. Whiet on black instead of black on white
Day 154 : 25 January 2023 - a Scottie is not just for Burns Night...
Day 155 : 26 January 2023 - the rather fabulous @morristheairedale (and you know Airedales are my favourite)
Day 156 : 27 January 2023 - wind in my ears, flying into the weekend!
Day 157 : 28 January 2023 - happy birthday Sadie Dale @woolypaws
Day 158 : 29 January 2023 - Bandit on a bench. It's the beautifully posed @anarchy_yeti
Day 159 : 30 January 2023 - what?!
Day 160 : 31 January 2023 - digging to Australia
Day 161 : 1 February 2023 - Long and lanky
Day 162 : 2 February 2022 - look at me....I'm flying!
Day 163 : 3 February 2023 - it's been a long week
Day 164 : 4 February 2023 - sitting tall
Day 165 : 5 February 2023 - so fluffy!
Day 166 : 6 Februrary 2023 - tongue out (nearly) Tuesday
Day 167 : 7 February 2023 - Tongue out Tuesday
Day 168 : 8 February 2023 - contemplating the middle of the week
Day 169 : 9 February 2023 - hmm...
Day 170 : 10 February 2023 - looking wistfully into the weekend. Oddly I realised I'd drawn this twice different sizes, and since both of them look very similar I guess that means I'm getting more consistent
Day 171 : 11 February 2023 - hope you're having a good weekend
Day 172 : 12 February 2023 - how can it be SUnday evening already?
Day 173 : 13 February 2023 - small is beautiful
Day 174 : 14 February 2023 - going for the action shot!
Day 175 : 15 February 2023 - things are looking up!
Day 176 : 16 February 2023 - tongue out Thursday
Day 177 : 17 February 2023 - welcome to the weekend!
Day 178 : 18 February 2023 - It's Saturday night so kick off your shoes and put your feet up!
Day 179 : 19 February 2023 - nearly Monday again :-(
Day 180 : 20 February 2023 - Draw me like one of your French girls :-D
Day 181 : 21 February 2023 - tongue out Tuesda, starring Bandit @anarchy_yeti for an alternative view on life
Day 182 : 22 February 2023 - there's something exciting about breaking in a new sketchbook, and this is the first dog in my latest
Day 183 : 27 February 2023 - back after a short break for Bath Art Fair and this is how I feel like now I'm back home and unpacked...early night I think
Day 184 : 28 February 2023 - a little Westie for a Tuesday night
Day 185 : 1 March 2023 - since it's St David's Day, tonight's dog has to be the every fabulous Ted Welsh @woolypaws
Day 186 : 2 March 2023 - it's World Book Day!
Day 187 : 3 March 2023 - an early(ish!) night
Day 188 : 5 March 2023 - what do you mean it's nearly Monday?
Day 189 : 6 March 2023 - This is your chair? Are you sure?!
Day 190 : 7 March 2023 - Hello! nice to meet you!
Day 191 : 8 March 2023 - tonight's dog was going to be a husky because I had some snow today (tenuous link there), but the snow's all washed away now and I got distracted by this little dog...
Day 192 : 9 March 2023 - so a day later than I'd planned on drawing a husky (probably should have drawn a water dog today, it's rained that much today), here it is...although apparently it's actually an Alaskan Malamute / Siberian Husky mix
Day 193 : 10 March 2023 - Woohoo! it's the weekend!
Day 194 : 11 March 2023 - it's Terrier Day at Crufts so I'm starting early with a couple of bull terriers and friend. Who knows where the muse will take me this evening?
Day 194 : 11 March 2023 - next up for Terrier Day, a Kerry Blue and a Skye Terrier
Day 194 : 11 March 2023 - moving on to Bedlington and Wheaten Terriers
Day 194 : 11 March 2023 - last one for Crufts Terrier Day...an Irish Terrier
Day 195 : 12 March 2023 - I'm on Team Terrier for Crufts Best in Show...go Blanca!
Day 196 : 13 March 2023 - I just love this little face
Day 197 : 14 March 2023 - something tranquil for a Tuesday evening
Day 198 : 15 March 2023 - Which way now?
Day 199 : 16 March 2023 - Always look both ways when crossing the road
Day 200 : 17 March 2023 - I think this Irish wolfhound might have overdone the St Patrick's Day partying. It's just as well that tomorrow is Saturday
Day 201 : 18 March 2023 - couldn't resist drawing a floofy Elvin aka @professormunkles this evening with those wonderful shadows
Day 202 : 19 March 2023 - Sunday night again
Day 203 : 20 March 2023 - Hanging with @the_hairy_bears on a Monday night, it's Nellie and Duffey..
Day 204 : 21 March 2023 - Little and Large
Day 205 : 22 March 2023 - it's been a long week and it's only Wednesday
Day 206 : 23 March 2023 - move along now, nothing to see here!
Day 207 : 24 March 2023 - ready for the weekend
Day 208 : 25 March 2023 - an hour less in bed tonight, so I'd better get a headstart
Day 209 : 26 March 2023 - after an hour less sleep last night, I am awake - honest!
Day 210 - 27 March 2023 - I'm sorry, did I disturb you? Say hello to the very laidback @georgefoxterrier
Day 211 : 28 March 2023 - what are you waiting for? Throw the ball!
Day 212 : 29 March 2023 - tonight we have the very gorgeous @audreythescottie
Day 213 : 30 March 2023 - Thursday evening on the sofa with friends
Day 214 : 31 March 2023 - when I'm calling you-ooo-oo-ooo!
Day 215 : 1 April 2023 - Relax, it's Saturday
Day 216 : 2 April 2023 - Smile!
Day 217 : 3 April 2023 - It's Monday again
Day 218 : 4 April 2023 - Too tired to think of a caption
Day 219 : 5 April 2023 - Synchronised snoozing...the very gordeous @oliverthelakeland and @daisythewheaten
Day 220 : 6 April 2023 - something floofy for the weekend
Day 221 : 7 April 2023 - Happy Easter everyone from this very happy rottie
Day 222 : 8 April 2023 - Slightly concerned I may have missed the Easter bunny
Day 223 : 9 April 2023 - I think I've eaten too many Easter eggs
Day 224 : 10 April 2023 - well that long weekend went by fast
Day 225 : 11 April 2023 - Tongue out Tuesday...times four!
Day 226 : 12 April 2023 - Hurtling through the middle of the week!
Day 227 : 13 April 2023 - Rocking the perm!
Day 228 : 14 April 2023 - I'm just resting my eyelids, honest!
Day 229 : 15 April 2023 - some dogs come really easily, and others are a battle - and this was definitely a battle. No idea why
Day 230 : 16 April 2023 - Finished another sketchbook full of dogs with this little chap...woohoo!
Day 231 : 17 April 2023 - Doing a spot of yoga this evening - down dog pose obviously!
Day 232 : 18 April 2023 - Tongue out Tuesday...times two!
Day 233 : 19 April 2023 - Flyball training
Day 234 : 20 April 2023 - I can't see right up your nose!
Day 235 : 21 April 2023 - ready for the weekend
Day 236 : 23 April 2023 - Early(ish) night I think
Day 237 : 24 April 2023 - Just what you need on a Monday night - a happy, fluffy little dog