Bugs & Insects

Shrink yourself down to the size of a pebble and suddenly the garden feels like a massive jungle. It's amazing what you can see when you stop moving and just watch the soil. A fuzzy bumblebee might be vibrating inside a bell-shaped flower, or a praying mantis could be standing perfectly still, pretending to be a green twig. These little neighbors have some of the most complex patterns in nature. Some wear bold polka dots, while others have shiny, metallic shells that look like polished chrome.

Use a fine-tip marker for the lace-like veins in a dragonfly's wing or a vibrant crimson for a spotted ladybug trekking across a rose. You can even give a hairy tarantula neon blue stripes if you're feeling adventurous. Every segment, antenna, and tiny leg is a chance to experiment. Just try not to get caught in any sticky spiderwebs!