I knew I was taking on a challenge when I decided to draw this otter. Water is not easy to portray.

Things were simple enough as I drew the part of the otter that is out of the water. It seems each time I draw with watercolor pencils, I learn again that:

• it’s a collaboration between me, the medium and the paper
• I can’t add light over dark
• I can’t add too many layers of medium
• watercolor pencils do not make bright marks

I will know I am comfortable in the medium when I don’t have to learn these things each time I draw.

This drawing also is an example of how one shouldn’t change one’s mind part way through the piece. I planned to stylize the water and the purple lines across the otter’s chest are an example of that. Having done those lines, however, I didn’t like the way they looked, so I tried to indicate the water with smooth lines across the belly. I like that much better.

Next time, I’d like to do a drawing that is more colorful. I think that may mean either drawing something that is not found in nature or not being as realistic in my drawing.