Raccoon

Deborah Trent, 2026 · Watercolor on paper

A charming, wide-eyed portrait of a young raccoon rendered in warm russet and soft grey washes. The signature black mask is built in layered, translucent pigment that lets the whites of the paper shine through around the muzzle and brow, lending the face a bright, inquisitive quality. Fine flicks of the brush around the edges suggest the dense, bristling fur of the head and ears, while the body dissolves into loose, rust-toned blooms of color — an effect that feels less like an outline and more like the animal materializing from the underbrush. A single dark paw with pale claws emerges at the lower edge, a small, carefully observed detail that grounds the piece. The result is both wild and endearing, capturing the raccoon's characteristic blend of mischief and curiosity.

Inspiration

I created a series of whimsical, adorable animals—purely for fun.

Artistic Process

I started with a brief sketch to capture the outlines and placement of features, then let the watercolor do the rest of the work.

Reference photo: Gary Bandig (Unsplash)

Paints: Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Titanium White
Brushes & tools: Round (0, 2, 6), ½" filbert grainer, mop, Micron 0.3 white pen

Reflections

This little guy was the first piece in my “cuties” series. I also occasionally see raccoons in the woods near where I live.

Date of Creation

January 07, 2026