A Duck Named Hetty: A Folktale for Drawing Inspiration
7 ECHOES
Location: Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
Virginia Stephens
You will need for this walk: - a sketchpad - drawing pencils or preferred drawing medium - preferred colorful medium This walk provides drawing inspiration by telling the story of a duck named Hetty as she embarks on a journey around the loch in search of fun. Each echo continues the folktale and ends with a drawing prompt inspired by the location and the story. Each prompt focuses on a drawing principle to encourage artists to practice a variety of skills. Immerse yourself in the folktale and watch your creativity grow as you create the world of Hetty the duck through inspired drawings. Start your journey at the echo entitled "The Beginning: A Duck Named Hetty."
The Beginning: A Duck Named Hetty
Drawing prompt: Take a moment to draw what you think Hetty would look like. Try drawing her in different styles ranging from cartoonish to more realistic. When you're done, please move on to the next echo entitled "The Lovely Loch."
The Lovely Loch
Drawing prompt: Take a moment now to study the loch. Who else might live here with Hetty and what other plants and animals would she see? Find a spot with a good view of the water and draw a landscape of the loch. Include your rendition of Hetty and some other wildlife friends that you see. When you're done, please move on to the echo entitled "Daydreaming on the Hill."
Daydreaming on the Hill
Drawing prompt: Find a spot on the hill off the path and daydream with Hetty by drawing her in various adventurous scenarios around the loch. Contrast the energy in her imagined adventures with studies of her sleeping, swimming, and fishing in her real life. Focus on Hetty's gestures and body language to communicate her emotions during the various activities. When you're done, please move on to the next echo entitled "The Journey Begins!"
The Journey Begins!
Drawing prompt: Begin by drawing the trees along the path. Look for interesting perspectives to make a more compelling composition. Focus on creating depth by establishing clear background, middle ground, and foreground elements. Next, draw what you imagine Iris would look like, drawing inspiration from life if you spot any birds here. If there's a particular style you liked when drawing Hetty, use that same style here to create continuity between the characters. Where in the composition would these characters be most interesting, and what would their interaction look like? When you're done, please move on to the next echo entitled "Hopping Around the Loch."
Hopping Around the Loch
Drawing prompt: Take a moment here to draw what you imagine George to look like. Toads are known for their bumpy, wart-covered exterior. Focus on bringing out the texture of his skin, then do some smaller studies of other textures. Look around the area at trees, rocks, grass, and other foliage for inspiration. Try to recreate the textures that you see and feel in your drawing. When you're done, please move on to the next echo entitled "Scampering Through the Trees."
Scampering Through the Trees
Drawing prompt: Find a comfortable spot amidst the trees. Look for an area with good light that gives the most dramatic shadows. Do studies of the trees and branches that emphasize the shadows and highlights. Use a colorful medium to practice creating light and shadows using different hues. Try drawing using all warm tones or all cool tones, or sticking to a limited color palette. This doesn't have to be accurate to the actual coloring of the trees. Feel free to be creative with your colors! Practice more character creation by drawing Monte, and incorporate the principles of light and shadow you practiced with the trees. When you're done, please move on to the next echo entitled "Returning Home."
Returning Home
Congratulations! You and Hetty have made it back home. Maybe being a duck isn't so bad after all, huh? Sometimes life is about learning to love and accept yourself for who you are and finding the joy in that!
