The 2nd April is National Day of the Ferret (in America.) Doesn’t have quite the same ring as The Day of the Jackal, but there are no stuffed jackals in Cliffe Castle museum and I knew I’d find a ferret, so I leapt at the chance of joining in Charlie O’Shields’ April Doodlewash challenge of sketching a National Day subject and thought I’d give it a try. What I wasn’t prepared for is the size of this creature – or rather its length. It looks like a stretched limo! I couldn’t get it on one page of my usual sketchbook so I abandoned my first drawing and used my small homemade concertina fold book instead. Then when I got home I found it wouldn’t fit in the scanner, so I had to photograph it instead.
Drawing in Cliffe Castle’s natural history gallery is delightfully absorbing but it can be a bit of a challenge because of the low level of light, and this animal’s face and paws are half hidden in shadow – but I still find it a lot easier than working from a photo – and sadly I don’t know anyone who has a live ferret – even though this is Yorkshire, where famously men are known to put ferrets down their trousers. Well, the ferret-fanciers, anyway – and this being National Ferret Day who knows whether this kind of thing will be going on all over America?
Thanks for the challenge, Charlie, this has been fun!
Invisible Horse 
Wonderful, ferrets have to be microchipped here in Spain. It raises their status to pets or mascot as that should be cared for and not abandoned. Happy ferret day!
Interesting -I imagine the same thing happens here in the UK, but I don’t know – will have to do some research! 🙂
Yay! You played!! I chose this same day! hehe… doodlewash to be posted soon. I LOVE THIS… your ferret is awesome!! 😍So well done!! And sooooo long! hehe
Oh this was such fun Charlie. It’s such a good idea of yours. Heaven knows what else the month will throw up – I’m glad to be along for the ride!
What a wonderful ferret with all it’s length. Love how you have drawn him on your page, very graphic!
This is beautiful, your painting really captures the movement and character of the ferret, I love it
Another beautiful drawing
Thanks Derrick!
Great idea with the concertina, and such a nice sketch…fits perfect!
Thanks! Ive only just started experimenting with a concertina fold book and it takes a bit of getting used to, but I like it. And if I hadn’t had it with me I’d never have fitted the ferret!
Wonderful painting!
Oh, thanks Michael! I had to do it at top speed as I’d already failed with an earlier one and the museum was going to close in 15 minutes. Which probably wasn’t a bad thing. Not enough time to think, and no messing around. Which doesn’t always work, I have to say – but that’s the fun of watercolour!