The Drawing Board

All of my artwork is created on the Apple iPad Pro in Procreate using the Apple Pencil. To make my Apple Pencil more grippy, I use the NimbleGrip silicone thingy. I love to experiment with Procreate brushes, and especially like all the brushes created by MattyB on Gumroad. I draw every day and will use this space to share oddballs from my daily practice.

October 31, 2024 • Holly Valero

Bear Expressions

Once I have the basics of "what makes a bear a bear?" sorted out, my next step is to add a few expressions.

Bears

How to Draw a Bear

September 14, 2024

What makes a bear a bear? When I first start drawing a new creature, I like to look at lots of bear poses first, just to try and sketch the mechanics... four legs, big paws with claws, kind of rolly-polly

Holly Valero
Bears

Sunflower Timeline

August 13, 2024

In the latest mouse and elephant book, we find a group of crows taking matters into their own wings when they are chased out of a nearby farmer's field.

Holly Valero
The Traveling Sunflower

Scarecrows

July 16, 2024

It's all crows and cornfields ... and a certain person who seems to be out standing in the field...

Holly Valero
The Traveling Sunflower

The Cawing of Crows - Plus Mouse and Elephant Coloring Pages!

July 3, 2024

The fun part about drawing Mouse and Elephant's neighborhood is following the map.

Holly Valero
The Traveling Sunflower

Strawberry Freezer Jam 2024 Batch!

June 15, 2024

Today, I get my favorite berries from Maxwell's Farm not far from my home in Southern Maine.

Holly Valero
Strawberry Freezer Jam

Grassy Expanses and Summer Rain

May 25, 2024

In the summer, fields are either mowed for hay, or left wild ... and those fields quickly fill with grasshoppers.

Holly Valero
Seasons

What do Crows Look Like?

May 13, 2024

Crows are very dark. I picture them as kind of an inky black, with gray beaks -- a little frazzled, a little angular and a little messy.

Holly Valero
Expressions and Poses

Finding the Best Leaf

April 22, 2024

Every autumn I wait for a day when it's gray and a little rainy and I venture out in search of the best leaf of the year. It can be challenging to choose between so many leaves.

Holly Valero
The Autumn Mystery

Apple Picking with Fox and Kit

April 10, 2024

Mouse and Elephant discover Fox and Kit living in the apple orchard, and join together to harvest apples for winter...

Holly Valero
The Autumn Mystery

Leaves in the rain

March 26, 2024

I have always loved rainy days best. Every autumn I search for the most beautiful autumn leaf of the year – and rainy days are the best for searching because the colors are so much more vibrant.

Holly Valero
The Autumn Mystery

Spring and Fall Trees

March 18, 2024

Springtime colors are vibrant and lush. Fall colors are more ruddy. Blossoms, fruit and autumn leaves ... the trees are always filled with colors that are changing.

Holly Valero
The Autumn Mystery

Mouse and Elephant are friends who share a love of nature, learning – and pumpkins!
Join them as they explore their neighborhood together, learn new things – and make new friends!