Why I Love Drawing Bears (and What They’ve Taught Me)

If there’s one animal I could draw forever, it’s the bear.

There’s just something about them—something deep and quiet and powerful—that pulls at my heart every time I put pencil to paper. Whether it’s a mama bear cradling her cubs, two siblings curled up together, or a lone bear gazing softly into the distance, these animals have become the heartbeat of my art.

They are strength and softness in the same breath.

They are protectors, nurturers, wanderers, and teachers.

And somehow, they always seem to whisper something to my soul.

Strength Without Force

Bears carry a presence. They don’t have to roar or run to be powerful. Just being is enough. There’s a calmness in the way they move, an assurance in the way they simply exist in their environment. It reminds me that true strength doesn’t always look loud or fierce—it can also look peaceful, grounded, still.

Every time I draw a bear standing tall or watching over her cubs, I’m reminded that strength can be quiet—and that it often shows up in how we care for those we love.

The Tenderness of a Mother

One of my favorite scenes to draw is a mother bear and her cubs. There’s something universally touching about that relationship: the watchful eye, the gentle nudge, the way she wraps herself around her babies as they sleep. In those moments, the wild doesn’t feel wild at all. It feels like home.

Drawing that tenderness allows me to express the kind of love that words often can’t. It’s a sacred softness—and I return to it again and again because it always makes me feel something real.

Stillness, Presence, and Trust

Bears don’t chase. They wait. They trust in their rhythm, their instincts, their surroundings. That has taught me something profound about my own creative process. Drawing bears has helped me slow down, breathe deeper, and allow things to unfold naturally—both on the paper and in life.

When I feel rushed or stuck in self-doubt, I think of the bear.

Unhurried. Trusting. Present.

It grounds me every time.

Why I Keep Coming Back

Out of all the animals I draw, bears always feel like home.

They hold so many human emotions—love, protectiveness, curiosity, joy—yet they still feel deeply wild and free. That balance of emotion and instinct is what keeps me coming back.

When I draw bears, I feel connected not just to the animal, but to something larger. Nature. Spirit. Story.

And I hope that when you see one of my bear drawings, you feel that too—a sense of peace, connection, and love that runs deep.

So yes, I’ll always draw dogs, cats, tigers, and wildlife of all kinds. But bears?

They are the quiet soul of my art.

And I will keep drawing them as long as my hands can hold a pencil.

With heart,

Nancy