Mike Hendley

  • A sparrow stopped by our backyard and ended up in my sketchbook. Drawn with Pentel mechanical pencils, including the Orenz Nero 0.2mm. Finished it an hour before I felt it was complete–but sometimes the quiet moments bring it all together. #sciart #birds #artyear

    Pencil sketch of a fluffed-up sparrow perched on bare, icy branches, drawn with precise detail using mechanical pencils.

  • For #PencilDay, I sketched this caiman peeking out of the water! 🐊 Used my Pentel Graphgear 1000 pencils, mostly a .5mm with 4B lead. Getting the reflection right was a fun challenge! Fun fact: Caimans can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes before surfacing! #sciart #artyear

    A realistic graphite drawing of a caiman partially submerged in water, with a detailed reflection on the surface. The sketch is in an A6 Leuchtturm sketchbook, held open by a red clip. Below are three Pentel Graphgear 1000 mechanical pencils, a kneaded eraser, and a blending stump on a wooden surface.

  • Moose antlers = way harder than expected! Spent my morning at Equator Coffee finishing this graphite sketch, using Pentel GraphGear .3mm & .5mm (2B & 4B), a blender, and Blu Tack for highlights. Fun fact: moose antlers can span up to 6 feet! #sciart #drawing #artyear

    A realistic graphite drawing of a moose in a sketchbook, showing detailed fur texture and large antlers. The sketchbook rests on a wooden table with two Pentel GraphGear mechanical pencils, a kneaded eraser, and a blending tool nearby.

  • A barn swallow for a friend in NYC! Painted on an Etchr cold press card with a Pentel water brush, this piece symbolizes both freedom and endurance. Fun fact: Barn swallows migrate thousands of miles across continents each year! #birds #watercolor

    A watercolor painting of a barn swallow perched on barbed wire, created on an Etchr cold press card using a Pentel water brush. The bird's vibrant blue and orange hues contrast with the delicate texture of the paper. The card rests on an envelope, with an art brush in the foreground.

  • A beaver drawing fresh from my sketchbook! 🦫 Capturing the wet texture of its fur while suggesting icy surroundings was a fun challenge. Used Pentel Orenz Nero (.3mm 2B & .5mm 4B) and a light touch of blending and Blu Tack :-) Did you know beavers can stay underwater for 15 mins? #sciart

    A highly detailed graphite drawing of a beaver sitting on an ice shelf, nibbling on food. The texture of its wet fur is meticulously rendered, with fine details in the surrounding ice and water. The drawing is in a sketchbook, accompanied by two Pentel Orenz Nero mechanical pencils, a blending stump, and kneaded eraser.

  • Felt the need to start this sketch this morning of our Canadian beaver. I spotted this one on an ice flow in a nearby village a couple of weeks ago enjoying some time with a branch 🇨🇦🦫 #wip #sciart

    A start of a hand-drawn sketch of a beaver is displayed on an open notebook, with pens placed nearby.

  • Morning coffee sketch in my Etchr hot press A6 sketchbook! Loved capturing this great tit mid-flight. Used QoR Payne’s Gray (violet) to shade the yellow without muddying it–such a handy trick! Fun fact: great tits have been known to unscrew milk bottle caps to steal the cream! #birds

    A watercolor painting of a great tit in mid-flight, reaching toward a dried thistle. Painted in an Etchr hot press A6 sketchbook as part of a morning coffee sketch routine. Payne's Gray (violet) was used to shade the yellow without turning it green. A watercolor palette and a Pentel Aquash water brush are in the foreground.

  • So excited to announce my first release of sketchbook originals. All done in watercolor at local coffee shops before work and on the weekends. These are actual pages from my sketchbook. Learn more at shop.mikehendley.com #sciart

    A collage of four watercolor paintings featuring a beetle, puffins, a duck, and a bird, each labeled with titles and prices.

  • This albatross painting was a fun challenge–feathers and ocean waves are always tricky! Painted with Golden QoR watercolors in an Etchr A5 sketchbook using Pentel Aquash brushes. Did you know albatrosses can fly thousands of miles without flapping? #sciart #birds #watercolor

    A watercolor painting of an albatross resting on a rocky perch near the ocean. The bird has detailed feathers in white, brown, and gray, with a soft blue sea in the background. The painting is in a sketchbook, surrounded by a watercolor palette and water brushes.

  • Drew this reindeer to embrace the winter mood! ❄️ Had fun playing with textures–fur, antlers, leather, and snow. Used Pentel Graphgear 1000 mechanical pencils (.3 mm 2B & .5mm 4B) and a blender. Fun fact: Reindeer can see UV light, which helps them survive in snowy landscapes! #sciart

    A realistic graphite drawing of a reindeer in a sketchbook, capturing intricate details of its fur, antlers, and a leather halter. Snowflakes are visible on its muzzle. The sketchbook is open on a gridded surface, surrounded by mechanical pencils and blending tools.

  • This graphite study was all about playing with textures–wet hair, sand-speckled skin, and the depth of a blurred ocean. Used Pentel mechanical pencils (.5mm 4B, .3mm 2B, .2mm 2B), a blender, BluTack, and an electric eraser to get the details just right!

    A graphite pencil drawing of a woman sitting on a beach with wet hair, arms wrapped around her knees. Her gaze is intense, and sand clings to her skin. The drawing captures light and shadow masterfully, with a blurred ocean in the background. Art tools are laid out beside the sketchbook.

  • Experimented with a human sketch for a change! The paper’s texture was tricky, but layering graphite with my Graphgear pencils, clutch, wooden, and powder made it work. Might explore this as an oil study later. Always fun stepping out of the comfort zone!

    A graphite sketch of a woman in profile with her head slightly bowed, wearing a loose garment. The shading is soft, with smooth gradients blending into the paper’s texture. Surrounding the sketchbook are Graphgear pencils, clutch pencils, Faber-Castell Pitt graphite, graphite powder, brushes, and an eraser.

  • Layered up and ready to go! This Chrysina lecontei watercolor took a couple coffee shop visits (plus a dozen layers in spots) to get the glow. Painted with golden QoR paints, an Art Toolkit palette, and a water brush–soon, it’ll be leaving my sketchbook for a new home! #insects #sciart

    A detailed watercolor painting of a Chrysina lecontei beetle in an A5 sketchbook. The beetle has a metallic green sheen with intricate shading and highlights. Surrounding the artwork are an Art Toolkit palette with golden QoR paints and a water brush

  • Loved working on this European robin sketch, especially getting lost in the details of bark and feathers. Used Pentel Graphgear 1000 (.3mm & .5mm, 2B & 4B) and Orenz Nero .2mm 2B for the finest touches. Fun fact: European robins belong to the flycatcher family! #birds #sciart

    A realistic graphite drawing of a European robin perched on a weathered tree stump, created in a sketchbook. The fine details of the bird's feathers and the bark's texture stand out. Surrounding the sketchbook are mechanical pencils and an eraser, tools used for the artwork.

  • Painting this Eurasian nuthatch was a rewarding challenge! Its blues, violets, and the mossy log textures tested my watercolor techniques. Slight differences from the nuthatches in our yard. Did you know nuthatches can climb headfirst down trees? Nature is amazing. #birds #sciart

    A detailed watercolor painting of a Eurasian nuthatch perched on a mossy log, created in an Etchr A5 hot press sketchbook, with a watercolor palette and brushes visible nearby.

  • Slow and steady wins the art race! This snail sketch was created using a 0.7 mm Leuchtturm pencil loaded with 4B lead, focusing on its shell’s texture and bumpy body. Did you know snails can sleep for up to three years? 🐌

    A detailed pencil drawing of a snail in a sketchbook, rendered with precise textures on its shell and body. A black mechanical pencil rests below the sketch on a wooden table.

  • Captured the quiet strength of bald eagles with this graphite sketch. Fun fact: female bald eagles are larger, with wingspans up to 8 feet! Pentel Graphgear 1000 .3 mm and .5 mm used for those fine details. #birds #sciart

    A realistic pencil sketch of two bald eagles perched on tree branches, drawn in a sketchbook. Two mechanical pencils, a Pentel Graphgear 1000, are placed nearby on a wooden surface.

  • Watercolor sketch of Taughannock Falls in Ithaca to prep for winter plein air painting tomorrow with oils. Using a photo I took last year, I was focusing on light, value, and shape while dreaming of summer hikes. Nice to sketch over coffee. Did you know this waterfall is 215 feet tall? 🌿🎨

    A vibrant watercolor sketch of Taughannock Falls in a sketchbook, surrounded by a compact watercolor palette, water brushes, and a blue-stained paper towel. The waterfall cascades between towering rock cliffs, framed by trees and a bright blue sky.

  • This lilac-breasted roller was a joy (and challenge) to paint in watercolour! Balancing its vibrant colors with a soft sky background was tricky but so rewarding. These “flying rainbows” are native to sub-Saharan Africa! 🎨 #birds #sciart

    A watercolor painting of a vibrant lilac-breasted roller perched on a thorny branch, displayed in an open sketchbook. The bird has vivid blue, purple, pink, and brown tones, with a soft sky in the background. Nearby are water brushes and a watercolor palette.&10;

  • It’s been a big year of growth! I explored oils, became a Leuchtturm ambassador (code MIKE20 at checkout), partnered with Etchr & Gwartzman’s for a demo, and visited Golden in NY. Stepping away from the podcast gave me time to focus on art. Here’s to creativity in 2025! Keep drawing! #artvartist

    A collage of artistic sketches and paintings featuring animals, nature scenes, art supplies, and a person speaking at an event is displayed.

  • This Eurasian eagle owl came to life through a graphite sketch that started in a coffee shop, then to a pharmacy, and home. A nice mix of tools for this one including some makeup brushes for the background. Known for their striking orange eyes, these owls inspire elegance and power. #birds

    A detailed graphite drawing of an Eurasian eagle owl in a sketchbook. Tools, including graphite pencils, blending stumps, brushes, and a kneaded eraser, are displayed beside it on a wooden surface.

  • A wintery crow with festive vibes for a friend who loves them! Using Etchr cold press greeting cards. Masking fluid brought the snowflakes to life, and Payne’s gray + ultramarine + cerulean captured the crow’s rich tones. #birds

    A watercolor painting of a crow standing in snow beside a blue ornament decorated with snowflakes. Snowflakes fall in the background. The painting is on a cold-press greeting card, shown alongside a watercolor palette and a Pentel water brush.&10;

  • Painted this rufous-eyed brook frog with Golden QoR watercolors in an Art Toolkit palette on an A6 Etchr sketchbook. 8-10 layers for the chest alone! Inspired by a photo from Cynthia Bandurek. For 10% off your next Art Toolkit order use the code MIKEART10 #sciart

    A detailed painting of a tree frog on a leaf is accompanied by a watercolor set and brush.

  • Whenever I visit Ithaca, I stop at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This time, snow kept me indoors, sketching birds overlooking the Cornell FeederWatch Cam. Blue jays, cardinals, titmice–they all kept me busy in my Leuchtturm A6 sketchbook. Use MIKE20 for 20% off at Leuchtturm Canada! #birds

    A sketchbook page features detailed pencil drawings of various animal heads, including birds and a small mammal, with a pen resting on the page.

  • I painted this festive fawn on an Etchr cold press card! Sketched with Graphgear 1000 (.5 mm - 4B lead), painted using QoR watercolors and Pentel Aquash brushes.

    A watercolor painting on a greeting card of a fawn standing on snow, with a red ornament featuring white snowflake patterns resting near its back leg. Tools and materials like water brushes, a mechanical pencil, and a watercolor palette are visible around the card.

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