Red Squirrel

About this work

This is a close-up of a red squirrel, drawn with careful attention to its fur and tiny paws. The animal’s bushy tail flares out behind it, and its front paw rests lightly on the page. The colors are warm—soft browns and reddish tones—with a pale background that keeps the focus on the squirrel. The artist used a mix of watercolor and a thicker paint called gouache to build up the fur’s texture. The date *1578* is written in the corner, showing this was made over 400 years ago. Next, look up technique: watercolor, glazing to see how artists layer thin, see-through paint to create depth.