Written by The most requested subject for “I” was Iguana, so that’s where we landed for today’s doodlewash. I love all of the crazy details in reptiles, and I’m never really sure why it was decided they needed all those little bumps and folds. Also, for those of you who requested dragon for “D” this seems to be rather close. Just imagine some wings unfurling somewhere off the page. I might have drawn them if I had the time, as this little guy seem to be proud of something.
An iguana has strong jaws with really sharp teeth. They also have a very long and sharp tail (also not pictured) that is usually half of their body size. The tail is used mainly for defense as an iguana can punch its enemy with it. In case of danger, this little guy can detach a part of its tail to ensure a faster escape. Of course, the tail will magically restore itself to the proper size should this desparate measure ever be required which is super handy. Interestingly, despite sharing similar aggressions, humans have never evolved to include these features.
What I thought was most interesting about these lizards is that in rainforests they can spend most of their life high in the treetops. Though they do occasionally fall, they’re able to fall up to 40 to 50 feet without sustaining any injury whatsoever. And in the case of a flood, some species of iguana are able to inflate themselves and become their own floatation device. Which I’m sure would come in handy for humans as well, though many humans have already grown to become the size of floatation devices. Next up is “J” so if you have a suggestion of another creature, please shout it out in the comments!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Quinacrodine Gold, Azo Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Green Pale and Neutral Tint. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
Woah, love the little details on this guy! Nice work!
It’s surprisingly difficult for me to think of any J animals at the moment… I’m gonna go with Jackrabbit, because I love the ears on those guys. 🙂
Aww thanks Annie!! 💕😃 I sort of got lost in all the details. 😊Hehe Glad you liked him! And Some of these letters are tough! Lol…nothing springs to mind. But who doesn’t love a nice pair of ears? Hehe
I love this guy even more now that I know all his secret talents!
Jellyfish. (K)
Yeah…he’s kind of a rock star! Lol Thanks so much Kerfe!! 💕😃
Wow, so cool! Love the details and colors. Can almost feel those scales!!!
Jaguar! And I like jellyfish and jackrabbit too!
Hehe…thanks Laura!! 💕😃I don’t know what it is, but I do like reptilian doodlewashes. Lol And those are great suggestions. I’m think it will likely be one of those! Once I decide. 😊😊hehe
Hahaha…human flotation devices! 😀 Not only do I love your doodlewash, but I love your stories AND for the education! <3 Your Iggy pops! (heehee…sorry for the pun!)
Awww thanks Teresa! ❤️😃hehe…I’m realizing that I have zero personal stories to share for some of these creatures so education is all I got! With my own little twist of course. 😊
Education with your own twist is PERFECT!! 🙂 <3
Yay, you picked Jub-Jub! And oh, he looks so proud of himself! Hilarious or slightly ominous, I’m not entirely sure. The detail in the scales is ridiculous, and what lovely strong greens you got. Full of zing!
Jaguar and Jellyfish get my support aswell. I also offer Jackal, and it’d be poor form not to offer the Jay 😉 (the bird – not me.)
He’s totally proud of himself isn’t he?! I guess if you had his superpowers you’d me a bit smug about as well. Lol And J is Jay of course! I couldn’t draw you though as I don’t have a proper photo to use for it. 😉
That’s a relief for you, isn’t it 😉 but if you want to turn me into a blue jay or something then that would be wonderful! 😀
We’ll just name whatever appears Jay then! Hehe…I have zero clue at this point what will appear actually. Always exciting to see how the day ends! Lol
Exciting indeed – I wouldn’t expect any different by now!
Mind blowing detail and color shading. Beautiful painting, love his expression, like he has a happy secret. Thank you for sharing such a delight.
Thanks Haunani!! 💕😃 he was fun to doodlewash. I can’t help but add a little character to these animals even when they’re realistic. Hehe Glad you like him!
Wonderful detail and color and interesting facts. You are giving us such a good animal education. 😊
Thanks Teri!! 💕😃 Yep…I have to resort to animal education when I’m at a loss for a personal story. I’ve never met an iguana in my life! 😊Lol
Nice sketching and detail Charlie, these guys are not easy to draw. Your color is beautiful. For J is say Jackal.
Thanks Sharon! 💕😃 Yeah…he was a bit of a challenge to make. I guess I could have skipped a lot of the detail, but I love exploring all the little nooks and crannies on these creatures. 😊hehe
What an illustrious iguana charlie o! you rocked it! the lumps and bumps and colors and texture……. ooooo la la !
So tomorrow is J – hmmmmmmm…. While I love all the suggestions of jaguars, jellyfish, jackals, and jackrabbits, you do know JODI begins with J …. 🙂 just sayin’
maybe you could you make a beautiful artistic version of a Jodi – looking more like – say – – – – Jessica Alba! 🙂
Thanks Jodi!! ❤️😃 hehe…I yes!! J IS for Jodi, of course! But I think I’m sticking with animals now, so it’s entirely possible you’ll end up looking like a jaguar or a jellyfish. Apologies in advance!! 😊
I am quite an animal…. just sayin’ hahahaha! Of course you know this is all in J for JEST! 🙂 <3
Haha!! You animal you!! Love ya!! ❤️😃
hahahahahaha!
Wonderful sketch. We once had an Iguana. It was 6 inches at the pet store and grew to be 6 feet. A challenging pet!
Oh my gosh!!!! That’s wild! You actually had one? That sounds like a really high maintenance pet! Hehe… But how cool!!
Every fall she would lay 36 eggs. We would then feed her with a turkey baster loaded with Ensure and ground up vitamins to restore her health. She was very high maintenance!
That’s amazing! Can’t even imagine what that would be like! Hehe
Is that a smiling Iguana I see, Charlie? Hehe! 😜 Another AMAZING doodlewash! WOWZA! 🎨😄💕
Hehe…I couldn’t resist adding the smile…or is it a smirk?! Lol Thanks so much Jill!! Glad you like this smiley guy! 💕😃
It must have been quite a task to include all the bumps and folds! He has a wonderful face! Not a fan of reptiles.. I’m terrified of snakes!!!! It’s so fascinating to learn about these creatures.. I wonder if there is a limit on how many times an iguana can regenerate its tail.. The first j animal that came to my mind is a jaguar! That would be quite challenging but you certainly could do it! ❤️
Thanks so much Kari! 💕😃hehe…I wondered the same thing! Like how many times before his body says…okay…enough.. You obviously don’t need this anymore. Lol Jaguars are cool! Definitely at the top of the list! But yeah…so many spots…but this guy and the giraffe had them so I guess it’s cool! 😊
Mighty fine! Bumps and all.
Haha…thanks so much Susan! Glad ya like my bumpy doodlewash! 💕😃
Another wonderful painting! Did you ever see the Werner Herzog remake of Bad Lieutenant where iguanas kept appearing apropos of nothing? Seriously weird…
Thanks Michael!! And haha! I never saw that but it sounds amazing!! So funny!! 😃
Great job, Charlie! The quality of your drawing goes hand in hand with the richness of your text. Bravo!
Awww thanks so much Fabio!! I really appreciate the wonderful compliment! 😊😃
fabulous iguana with lovely detail and colours! great drawing 🙂 for the “K” what about….. kangaroo? with their wonderful soft eyes? cheers! debi
Thanks Debi!! 💕😃Glad you liked my lizard! Hehe Yeah Kangaroo and Koala are in a neck and neck race at this point! Hehe
bet they’re wanting the koala, but koalas eyes are pretty scary looking up close. spooky. Roos eyes are softer, kinder in appearance. …just sayin’
laughing now!
I agree…but I took the challenge to make the eyes look cuter! About to post it soon! Hehe 😉
good for you Charlie, look forward to it!