Scamp by Ruth Dolan

Must try that = we have a couple of reds in the garden that, every year, strip the hazelnuts completely, and have a crack at the feeders; and no one would mind if they ate them all, but they don't - they've hidden nuts in old pairs of shoes, in the landlord's car, even in a seldom-used holiday flat right at the top of the house - still can't work out how they got in there, and secreted nuts beneath the duvet on a bed... I find squirrels really hard to draw, because they're so insubstantial beneath all that fur - it's like trying to capture a wisp. You've managed it here, and I shall have to have another go myself.... First, find your squirrel..

I love the little red squirrel,when in London last there were a family of greys that were entertaining to watch but they don't compare favourably with the red, I like the way you have painted in the background as well and not just the squirrel, much more interesting.

We've only got grey squirrels in my part of the country Ruth so it's a treat to see this little fellow. A lovely painting.

I watch grey squirrels in my garden all the time and i've often thought how diffiicult it would be to capture them in a painting. Well done!

Thank you for your comments. I don't know whether or not grey and red squirrels interbreed, but my two are a mixture of red and grey, which is very confusing, to say the least. But they are most entertaining, especially when the nuts get low in the box and they nudge the lid upwards with their heads and then almost disappear into the depths to come up with some nuts in their paws.

Oh...squirrels: together with my dog, they destroyed our pickup during the season the acrons were dropping while we were away. It cost US$2,700 to repair. We have tried to get rid of the rascals, but have not been very successful. All that being said, your squirrel painting is just great and superbly composed.

I agree with all the comments above. Beautiful painting, Ruth. They also destroyed my son in law's car twice. Luckely it was a company car, so he had a new one. Nevertheless they are lovely little creatures to paint.

Reds and greys don't interbreed = just a little nature note! Unfortunately, greys drive reds out of their habitat, partly through disease; we don't have greys on the Isle of Wight, and go to some lengths to keep it that way. When staying at an hotel in Winchester, on the other hand, with a view of the Cathedral Close and lawns, I watched a grey squirrel every morning leaping from tree to tree; impossible not to be impressed, but we repel them here!

Well done Ruth, he's beautifully depicted. There are sometimes as many as four red squirrels in our garden chasing each other around the trees.... so fast! How do you sketch them? And how do they damage cars..... you've got me worried?!

Beautifully painted Ruth and I like the background too. A good combination of colours. Scamp is obviously in seventh heaven in his own little nuthouse! I think the squirrels that visit us are greys even with their tinges of red - but whatever, he is gorgeous and he knows when he is well off! Such entertaining characters.

Great painting Ruth I really like your portrayal of this troublesome squirrel!

Ruth, what a lovely painting! he looks so cheeky! Well done!

Well portrayed Ruth, an excellent addition to your wildlife gallery.

About your question, Avril: they damage cars by gnawing and destroying all the wiring they can find underneath the car.

Ruth again such a lovely image well done!!!!!!!:LInda

Ruth again such a lovely image well done!!!!!!!:LInda

A lovely painting, and I agree with William that the background makes it particularly charming.

Really cute. They are naughty aren't they? they nick all the fatty balls. I have a grey squirrel one that scouts about. I thought they hibernated.

A beautiful painting Ruth! Love the colors and the way the curve of his body moves the eye around.