Mike Hendley

  • 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;

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