Sketch a Hedgehog - Maree Clarkson

"Some of the advantages of the camera are that it is compact and light and you can gather a lot of material in a short space of time. It can record constantly changing light patterns... rapid weather changes, and you can take photographs in atrocious conditions, such as pouring rain and snowstorms."
- Ron Ranson


"Hedgie" pencil sketch and watercolour in large Moleskine sketch-book

If you've ever tried to photograph a Hedgehog, you'll know how difficult that is, never mind trying to sketch him while he's scurrying to and fro, and then ducking from sight as you approach. I gave up trying to make a sketch of him as he was hurrying around and decided to take a photograph in stead for reference and even then it took ages before he settled down long enough for me to get a couple of shots.

I completed this sketch in about half-an-hour, after spending almost 2 hours trying to get him to be co-operative! But I got a couple of nice photographs and will be doing some more sketches of him.

And oh yes, his name is Hedgie, and him and his lady friend recently produced 5 of the most beautiful little off-spring - tiny replicas of their prickly parents. Lucky for daddy, he is free from all parental duties and merrily goes on his way while mommy looks after them until they are about 7 - 9 weeks old, when they start foraging for their own food.