Step One First I sketch the basic shapes of the turtle’s head and shell using an HB pencil. Then I add the eye and draw a few lines on the shell to indicate the patterns. The back legs are hidden by the shell so I don’t draw them.
Step Two I add more lines to the pattern on the shell; then I draw some spots and folds on the skin, as well as a line for the mouth. Next I sketch some mushrooms and leaves around the turtle.
Step Three I continue adding lines to the shell and markings on the turtle’s skin; then I draw more leaves and moss underneath the turtle.
Step Four Now I use dark indigo to establish the dark areas on the shell and body, avoiding the spots on the skin. Then I use the same color and firm pressure to create the dark shadow beneath the turtle, drawing around the moss and leaves.
Step Five Using cool gray 90% and medium pressure, I apply color to the bottom of the shell, gradually lightening the pressure to show a change in value. I also use this color to lightly shade the chin and mouth. I add more details to the shell and body with indigo blue, using light pressure for lighter areas and going over the dark indigo on some areas of the shell. I also use this lighter blue on top of the head and on some of the spots on the leg and shell. Now I apply black to the pupil, leaving a small area of white around it. Then I apply dark indigo with short strokes to create some dark areas of moss. I also use this color on some of the spots on the body to indicate a shadow.
Step Six I lightly apply pumpkin orange to spots on the head, body, and shell, pressing harder where I want the color to be more intense. Then I fill in a few more areas on the body and shell with dark indigo. I switch to kelp green and lightly fill in the iris, leaving a small white highlight. I also use this color and short, firm strokes to shade the moss. I lightly apply Tuscan red to the tops of the mushrooms, leaving white spots in the centers; then I shade the mushroom stems with cool gray 90%. Using dark brown, I outline the leaves and draw the veins; I also use this color to shade some sticks on the ground. Now I use Tuscan red to go over the veins and shade the undersides of the two leaves by the turtle’s foot.
Step Seven Now I apply sepia to the leaf to the right of the turtle; I color the other two leaves with Prussian green, going over the Tuscan red veins and leaving some lighter spots by using less pressure. Using poppy red, I shade around the white spots on the tops of the mushrooms and draw a few lines along the edges of the largest mushroom. I also use this color to brighten up some of the spots on the shell. Next I apply a layer of jasmine to the stems of the mushrooms, going over the cool gray 90%. I use beige and circular strokes to shade the bottom part of the shell, blending the existing colors. Then I add more kelp green to the moss and darken some areas of the foreground with dark brown and dark indigo; I also darken a few areas of the shell with dark indigo. Finally, I apply sunburst yellow to some spots on the shell.