Animal Artober Prompt 1: Camouflage
The American Manatee-gator
For the camouflage prompt, it was rather fitting to jump in with episode 1 of Just The Zoo of Us, with the very first pair up of the American Alligator and the Manatee. This is the only time the prompt number and episode number line up, so enjoy the brief symmetry while it lasts!
Of course Alligators are infamous for their stealthy log disguise checks. The Manatee-gator, the Mana-gator for short, can't help but gain an assist in camouflaging into their surroundings due to their algae coated body. And while these omnivores are known for being rather docile most of the time, don't be fooled into thinking they won't take advantage of a chance to ambush a meal!
About this Hybrid Animal Series:This March, I started listening to a podcast called Just The Zoo of Us (starting at episode one).
I have really been enjoying this podcast and, about three episodes in, I had the idea to draw a hybrid of the two animals featured in the episode. A zany idea (and I know later on, there are guest episodes with a single featured animal, but I have a system for that. Well, assuming I continue sharing this drawing series after the first 31 finish…), but it is quite a fun creative challenge to make a hybrid of the animals featured! All this led to starting a series of hybrid animal drawings and also discovering that their podcast had an Instagram page which had a prompt list for Artober last year. Naturally, I decided to blend that prompt list with the sketch drawings I had started! (I know, I know. This series has been in the works for QUITE a while!)That being said… I have more opportunities to draw in my sketchbook in a day then sit down with my full spread of color pencils, so most of this series will be released in the sketchier drawing stage rather than the fully rendered colors. Just how life as a mom goes for me!Especially since I am currently focusing my irregular coloring time on the ABC Animals Series. You can expect more releases of that series after October (though Patreon and my online stores will see designs sooner!).Side Note: I am a sporadic podcast listener (and I have a lot I am subscribed to that I pick and choose from) so my progress through a back catalog can be a little slow. Still, I did get through the first 31 episodes to mix and match to their 2021 Artober Prompt List. It's a year late for the list, but I hope you enjoy the insanity anyway!