Look Out For Jumping Spiders Doodlewash and watercolor sketch of spider crawling out of sketchbook
By Charlie

Look Out For Jumping Spiders!

Written by Charlie O'Shields

It’s back to crawling things for today’s #NatureDoodlewash and so we have this jumping spider that climbed out of my sketchbook. That didn’t actually happen, of course, as I wouldn’t be able to type this now if it had. But while searching for references, I happened across this odd little spider and decided to doodlewash him. Truth be told, my friend Teresa recently made a comment implying it was good my flying ant wasn’t a spider, but went on to say that “poor spiders get such a bad rap.” I have to agree, so I’m featuring this one today since it’s the kind that comes up when you google “cute spider.” And, of course, I still think it’s creepy as hell, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Since most of us know that spiders have eight legs, the interesting thing about jumping spiders is that they also have eight eyes. That clocks in at four pairs of eyes and apparently they use all of them. I mean, of course, why have them otherwise. They are called jumping spiders because they can jump 50 times their body length thanks to a complicated hydraulic system evolved to overcome their rather weak legs. Interestingly, they can see in color and scientists think they have color vision comparable to humans. Not sure any of this makes them qualify as “cute,” but there you have it.

It is interesting to think about what we define as beauty. This creepy and odd looking spider would certainly be considered beautiful by his other spider friends I would think. Or perhaps not. I’ve no idea what the spider definition of beauty is. It’s incredibly difficult to keep up with the human definition which seems to be changing all the time. We’re all as beautiful as we will ourselves to believe I think. And I’m sure this little guy thinks he’s quite handsome. Just one gaze into those two large main eyes, could you possibly agree? Well, maybe if he promised to just sit there staring longingly and not, heaven forbid, actually jump.

Join me throughout the month of June on a virtual nature hike! Show everyone what you love most in nature with a watercolor sketch or painting and tag your images #NatureDoodlewash so we can all enjoy it with you! I’ll create a featured artist gallery of our global hike at the end of the month! 

World Watercolor Month is coming in July! Click here to learn more!

About the Doodlewash

M. Graham watercolors: Azo Yellow, Gamboge, Azo Orange, Cobalt Blue, Permanent Green Pale, Viridian, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Pyrrol Red, and Neutral Tint. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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56 thoughts on “Look Out For Jumping Spiders!”

  1. ACK!!! LOL! I actually applaud you for doodlewashing a spider when you’re not fond of them either. I wouldn’t want to stare long enough at one (even a photo of one) to paint it. 😛

    Much as they creep me out, I must commend you for making a beautiful doodlewash of one! 🙂 xo

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  3. Wow, I’m not much for bugs and the like, Charlie, but this guy is awesome! He’s popping right out of the screen, and he’s actually kinda cute! 😀 I just love his eyes, and I’m in awe of your shadows pretty much every time, guy. Bravo!

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  6. I actually think you made this little guy cute-ish with your doodlewash. Those eyes make him cute, but not so much the body. I think what creeps me out most about spiders are their bodies. Back to the eyes… Your doodle portrays them like innocent puppy eyes. He totally looks like he’s staring longingly. Nice work!

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  7. Charlie, thats marvellous doodlewashed detail on a darling spider! I was very impressed with the leggings he has on too, such lovely finery 🙂 and thank you for making him look cute, not wicked….whew. I’m not a huge fan of spiders since moving to Perth, redback spider capital,

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  8. Jumping spiders – gonna make me jump! Still, your doodlewash is very cute, Charlie. His eyes implore me to accept him as he is – long legged, in need of a shave, and committed to his place in your journal.
    Ah, art.

    BTW: Seems I’ve been de-followed from your site – and I think from a whole bunch of other sites as well. Don’t know what happened but I’ve signed up to follow you again and will catch up with the posts I missed.

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  9. You know, I was only earlier wondering whether you were going to do a spider! You’ve certainly done about as good a job as anybody could I reckon, of making this creature seem friendly. The eyes look almost docile, as if saying, “I’m not really cold and calculating, honest! I haven’t just eaten my mate!”

    I’ve had jumping spiders crawling/jumping about on my hands before (they weren’t very big, I hasten to add). It’s quite a shock to the eyes when they spring into life – blink, and they’re out of here!

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      1. Ha! Oh, they were only teeny. It’s fun when they walk around on your hand and arms though – it tickles! 😉 But yes, if big momma turned up, I’d probably scream too.

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  15. I am going for the cute option, I maybe one of the few, but in my eyes most spiders are cute, only a small number are blessed with poor looks where you should want to rush behind the door to hide ( those are probably the safe harmless ones too) look as her eyes, what’s not to like ❤️

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  16. Iiiiiiiiiiiihks … I must confess I don’t like Spiders… I can tolerate them outside of my flat and inside I try not to kill them while showing them the way to the door… but that’s all! :-))

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  20. Fabulous doodlewash! I used to love to watch spiders when I was a kid. Just found them fascinating. LOL. I’m in class catching up on your blog while my students are taking a test. I’m really loving the high contrast of your doodlewashes lately. Your subjects really jump off the page, hopefully not onto my page.. HaHa!

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  21. Most of our bugs in Minnesota are small and nonvenomous, which gives me the luxury of finding jumpy spiders *adorable.* They always seem so twitchy and hyper-alert, like they’ve had one too many espressos. I love how you’ve captured that quality, Charlie — those beady little eyes are so alive and full of curiosity! A painting as lovely as yours deserves a bit of spider cheerleading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_yYC5r8xMI ::) <—— that's a spider smiley

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