Pen and ink sketch with Sharpie gel pen of a tabby cat. I have been practicing sketching directly with a pen, no pencil or eraser used.

The Red-breasted nuthatch is a winter bird I often saw at my bird feeder when I had one. I never knew these birds existed until I started bird watching in my backyard and I only see then during the winter.

These small song birds with a short tail and long bill have the unusual habit of walking up and down a tree trunk, and they are very good at doing it!

 A quick pen and ink sketch of a West Highland White Terrier, sketched with a black gel pen.

The West Highland White Terrier or "Westie" as it is often called, is a Scottish dog of small size. These dogs are very smart and quick learners but can display stubbornness in getting their own way.

These dogs were bred for hunting small rodents so they are very energetic and require regular exercise and playtime to keep them happy and content.  Most Westies are friendly making them suitable for households with children.

As with other terrier breeds, the Westie's coat does not shed but it grows making regular grooming on a consistent basis a must to keep this breed looking its best.

Woodland scene of bare trees by a stream with some evergreens across the water in the distance. A quick pen and ink sketch using a Sharpie gel pen, nib size 0.5 I think that's the smallest size gel pens come in.

Pugs are quickly become one of North America's most popular breeds, and it is no wonder. They look super cute and cuddly, and have a friendly personality.

Originally from China, Pugs were brought into Europe in the 16th century  and became quite a favorite among royalty. Today Pugs can be seen just about anywhere you go.

Pugs were bred for companionship and live up to that role very well, they are playful and enjoy being around humans. This makes them a good dog breed choice for kids. Because Pugs overheat easily, kids need to learn to keep play sessions short with plenty of snuggle sessions in between.

Pugs aren't just fun to play with, they are also fun to draw and paint, My Pug art feature in this blog post can be bought at Redbubble and Pictorem