The Hardest Part About Choosing My Next Wildlife Drawing
People sometimes ask how I decide what to draw next.
The short answer?
I don't.
At least not easily.
Because the hardest part isn't finding something I want to draw.
The hardest part is choosing between all the things I want to draw.
If you could see my wildlife inspiration folder, you would immediately understand the problem.
It's full.
Overflowing, actually.
Bears.
More bears.
Mama bears and cubs.
Tigers.
Snow leopards.
Otters.
Elephants.
Penguins.
Rhinos.
And approximately a thousand photos that made me stop and say:
"I need to draw that someday."
The problem is that "someday" arrives much slower than new inspiration.
The Collection Keeps Growing
Every time I sit down with a cup of tea and start looking through wildlife photos, I tell myself I'm just browsing.
Five minutes later, I've saved twelve more images.
Twenty minutes later, I've added another folder.
And suddenly my future drawing list has grown by six months.
Again.
The truly ridiculous part?
Most of the photos aren't dramatic wildlife scenes.
I'm rarely drawn to the images that scream for attention.
Instead, I'm drawn to the quiet moments.
A mama tiger looking down at her cub.
A curious bear peeking over a sleeping parent.
An otter holding its baby.
A snow leopard cub looking up with complete trust.
Those are the images that stay with me.
Sometimes a Photo Refuses to Leave
Most photos sit patiently in the inspiration folder waiting their turn.
Others become impossible to ignore.
You know the ones.
You open your folder and your eyes go straight to the same image every time.
You tell yourself you're working on something else.
The photo doesn't care.
It keeps showing up.
Eventually I stop arguing and start sketching.
Many of my favorite drawings started exactly that way.
Not because I planned them.
But because the image simply refused to leave me alone.
The Competition Is Fierce
Choosing my next wildlife drawing often feels like judging a very enthusiastic talent show.
The bears are usually front and center demanding attention.
The tigers are making a strong argument.
The otters are being adorable.
The snow leopards are quietly waiting in the corner looking majestic.
Meanwhile, I'm standing there trying to decide which animal gets promoted to the drawing desk next.
It's not a particularly efficient system.
But it's the truth.
The Drawings Choose Me
The longer I've been drawing, the more I've realized something.
I don't always choose the drawings.
Sometimes they choose me.
A particular image will linger in my mind.
I'll think about it while making dinner.
While reading.
While walking the dogs.
I'll start imagining the composition.
The colours.
The details.
Before long, I've already started drawing it in my head.
At that point, the decision has basically been made.
The Real Problem
The real problem isn't finding inspiration.
It's accepting that I can't draw everything at once.
As much as I would love to finish every bear, tiger, otter, penguin, elephant, and snow leopard currently waiting in my inspiration folder, there are only so many hours in a day.
And every drawing takes time.
A lot of time.
Which means some images have to wait their turn.
Patiently.
Or at least as patiently as a bear photo can.
And If I'm Being Honest...
If I'm being completely honest, I'm writing this while there are already multiple wildlife drawings waiting for me.
A couple of bears are currently competing for my attention.
Several tigers are quietly making their case.
And there are enough saved reference photos to keep me busy for years.
So if you're wondering how I choose my next wildlife drawing, the answer is simple.
I usually don't.
I save far too many photos, stare at them for an unreasonable amount of time, and eventually one of them wins.
More often than not, it's a bear. 🐻🐾