Assignment #1 from “Drawing Lab: A Fun and Silly Art Kit” Hi today! The first drawing exercise in this kit is “Draw Cats in Bed.” The idea is that you put yourself in an “un-ideal” drawing situation (bad posture, fluffy surface) and draw, hopefully taking the “shoulds” out of the process and bringing back the joy of just drawing, like you did when you were a kid! Here are some cats drawn in bed this morning: 
And the colored cat at the top was created based on one of these designs!
And our cat, Natalie, wanted in on the fun, too.
* * * Leave a comment above (click the “# comments” link on the top right) for your chance to win a copy of the new “Drawing Lab Kit!” International entries welcome. 😀 Today’s winner will be picked at 6pm PST Tuesday, 11/18. The winner was #145, Marcie! 
Here is the blog schedule. Come back each day for a chance to win! (And please tell your friends!) Sunday 11/16 – First Day Giveaway! Winner picked! (Victoria) Monday 11/17 – Cats in Bed Winner picked! (Marcie) Tuesday 11/18 – One-Liners Winner picked! (Dawn) Wednesday 11/19 – Gesture Drawings Winner picked! (Lani) Thursday 11/20 – Picasso Dogs Winner picked! (Michaele) Friday 11/21 – Index Card Multiples Winner picked! (Denise) Saturday 11/22 – 100 Faces Project Winner picked! (Anne) Sunday 11/23 – Coffee Shop Drawings Winner picked! (Lynn) Monday 11/24 – Blind Contours Winner picked (Monica) Tuesday 11/25 – Last Giveaway Day! Winner picked! (Merrie Jo)
carlasonheim.wordpress.com 
Happy cat!
Such a funny nice idea. Fun, sun and relax. Greetings from Kirsten
I would love to win your kit!
My cats are hoping to model! Great subjects for a great idea.
Day 2 – this could be my lucky day….
What fun!!
I can’t wait to get home and draw cats in bed! Such a great idea!
Great idea! Sometimes I get hung up on waiting until I am in the most ideal mood, spot, etc to create… 🙂
How fun! Thank you Carla! Love your ideas and creativity.
Love the cat!
What a fun concept!
I WAS in bed when I received this lesson………….. some interesting cat like images were created…….. well kind of cat like.
I sent a comment this morning, but I am not sure if I did so the right place so here I go Again:
I would love to win this kit to go along with the book which I have had and used for many years.
Another day, another chance! Thanks, Carla!
can’t wait to share these kitties with my g’daughter!
Love the cat.
Permission! We don’t give ourselves enough permission…and that’s another gift you bring to us, Carla; you always remind us that there are no rules. Thank you. (Have to admit I’d rather ask for forgiveness than permission..guess there is a bit of an adventuress in my psyche.)
Day 2 – I love drawing cats in bed 🙂
It would so fun to win your kit! Drawing cats in bed (I have some in my bed right now) is just what I want to do!
meowww..cute cats. Thanks Carla!
Love, love, love your cats!
Woohoo! Thanks for another chance to win. I LOVE the pastel (?) cat at the top!
Of course I’d love to win this – it looks fabulous! Now if I could just get my cats to stay on the bed in the morning instead of insisting I get up to feed them:)
Thank you an opportunity to be a winner!
What a fun kit – I’d love to win one! Thanks Carla!
Love the cats and I love that you remind us that drawing should be joyful!
I Love your kitty Natalie! Perfect cat to sketch. I would love your book! Thanks for the giveaway.
Those cats are the most!!!!
Love the cat exercise. More.
that would be the bestest birthday present ever lol
I like the cat. 🙂 This post made me laugh, because I do 80% of my drawing in bed…. Perhaps I should try using a table sometime. Hehe 😛
simple yet sophisticated. love it
Um they kind of looked like cats…or wolves:) What a fun task! I hope I win!
Super cute and fun exercise! Thank you for sharing!
Oh, this looks like so much fun
Qué lindos gatos! Ojalá me gane un kit, gracias!!
It’s so nice… Thank you, Carla…
Let’s see, who is going to be my model, Corazon, Heart, Little Dancer or….. (augh, forgot her name, our 10-year old changes them sometimes 😉 )?
This is a fun exercise!
Your cats in bed made me smile! I’ll try to draw some in bed tonight too!
What a creative way to draw cats, just charming!
I love being silly and having fun with art. This is a terrific idea.
I love cats, but i am allergic to them. But I can draw them without my eyes swelling shut!
Would love the Drawing Lab Kit come to my bed!!!
Those are cats with personality!
Would really enjoy Drawing Lab Kit project to play with!!!
oh my gosh this kit is so wonderful my heart cries golden I want tears. Like the I want monster is so freak’en not at bay right now.thank-you for all your talent you share.
I am soooo inspired…
Yeah!! … to drawing cats in bed! 🙂
I used to draw in bed when I was sick and had to stay home from school. I have forgotten what fun it was!
What a fabulous invitation for feline fun. Love your sketches and had fun doing some of my own.
Love these Cats in Bed!!It was one of the first of your exercises that I ever did! Plenty of models around this house. And I loved the idea of my sketchbook on a down pillow, no control at all. I made cards from the drawings/paintings and sent them off to friends…
Now that’s a herd of cats! Love them.
My cats are willing models! I now have pen and drawing pad on my bedside table!
Wonderful cat! Drawing Lab is my favorite drawing book!
I’m not a big fan of cats, so maybe I could draw Belugas in bed!
Kitties always know how to get comfy. How do I draw comfy? Hmmmm……
Love the cats!
I want to trade Swiss chocolate for a Lab kit 😉 Send it across the Atlantic.
I love the cats.
Hubby is allergic to cats. Is it ok for me to draw my rabbit instead? 😉
Love another chance to win this set
These are very fun indeed!
Love your cute cats and would love to win your drawing lab kit, seems such fun 🙂
I loved trying this, and hope to win the lab kit!
Cats in bed…how does one keep the cat you’re drawing off the drawings of cats?
Well, that was fun! A whole page full ‘o kitties!
I love your cats! Your real cat looks like my real cat, but his name is Spooky. thanks for the opportunity to win!
Love this assigment! Glad to see you’re doing a kit.
I’m so excited to have discovered your blog!! What cute and interesting ideas you have!! Absolutely love it! And I have three cats…they are my favorite subjects!! I would be thrilled to win the lab kit!!
These are sweet and fun!
Love the cats — both the drawings, which I so want to try, and your cat!!
i love drawing cats as much as i love drawing with cats 😉
C’est une choueette idée pour apprendre à dessiner les chats en lâchant prise…
Love the idea of drawing cats! Our cat, Oreo, makes a great subject matter for this! Thanks!
My two cats and my bed, my favorite things in life 🙂
Although I am allergic to cats I love Your cats, Carla!
Love the idea of trying to drawing while propped up on pillows. Will try it tomorrow morning !
So sweet! My Isabel can do all those yoga positions, too!
Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect – steven wright
plenty of cats in my bed this chilly morning. I guess a few more can’t hurt! Nasty wind chills this morning in Wisconsin.
Carla, I would love to win this! Love your work. I commented on fb and shared so this should me three entries! Thank you. Carlanda
Ooo..an excuse to go to bed early on this rainy night! Thanks for the chance to win the prize.
Just love your cats😸would love to vind
Love your cats! Thanks for the chance to win!
Love this exercise. Thank you. Now all I need is a cat 😉
Going to keep trying! I need to get back to drawing!
Drawing while lounging in bed sounds like my ideal work environment.
Great fun, undemanding!!
Love the cats! I’m drawing them lying on my back on the floor in the livingroom while my kids are working on their own stuff around me. Great!
I love playing with your art exercises Carla, this is a fantastic idea
Oh Carla, how exciting! I love this book!
Janey
I am always thrilled by the chance to win one of these giveaways! Is this my lucky day?
I love cats, and the chance to win your Lab Kit!
i adore cats so why not drawing them 😉 !
Today I’ll draw a cat, later when I have the book (because I win or I buy) I’ll draw dogs, elephants and birds……….Lol.
pillows, cats, drawing all sounds good to me. Love your cat maybe she should make some paw prints on paper so people could turn them into cats 🙂 Would love to win the kit.
My daughter would love this one, she is crazy about cats!
I would love to win your cat, oh sorry, I meant your kit 😉 , or both?
Best wishes
Drawing cats with a drawing kit !
Really like the kitty on her back.
Wish I was close to my bed so I could jump in and sketch!
I want a cat again. maybe if I draw some I can draw it into my life, pardon the pun.
Well, I usually have TWO cats IN the bed every night! I would write” in the morning”
but that’s when they are up, clawing the slider doors trying to irritate me enough to get me out of bed. I would have to draw one all stretched up, clawing the door!
nice cats! thanks for all! here I am for another chance!
Love cats…but I am not able to keep one. Cats make me sneeze. Drawing does not make me sneeze (thank goodness)! Thanks again for the opportunity!
How appropriate! Sleeping is our cat’s favorite hobby.
What a coincidence! I just drew & colored a whole page of kitties sitting on my couch last night while watching a movie. I have two kitties of my own to use as models.
I love my cat and this is an amusing idea. Of course I would love to win!!!
This kit looks like a lot of fun. I like the cats-in-bed exercise. 😃
I enjoy your blog and the assignments are something I could do while I’m recovering from my recent surgery! 🙂
Supercute cats! :))
I’m hoping that some day I’ll be able to draw as freely as you. I’d love to win the kit.
Wonderful cats. Want to give them a try.
These make me smile!
Meow!
Looks fun! Thanks for opening up the giveaway to internationals 🙂
Never thought of nail polish marbling!
what a beautiful cat natalie is! i like the idea of drawing in bed! fun!!
Why can I not keep track of my days? *teehee* I thought this was day THREE!!! Again, Carla, thank you for the absolutely amazing opportunity!!!
great giveaway! count me in~
You are so generous with your give aways! Love your fun exercises. I am going to draw horses in bed. 🙂
What a fun idea! I’d love to get back to working on those drawing lab excercizes and win a kit too!! 🙂
I am incredibly jealous when my cat goes back to bed after I get up. This helps.
How did you get your cat to pose with the drawings? Love your movie star cat!!
I love the cats in bed, I have no cats anywhere around but will draw what you have done thinking cat.
Miss Carla .. i love cats! my kitties, patches and pumpkin are now in heaven together, but i think of them a lot. i would love to win your art kit. i have been drawing them since i was two years old. (i am now four years old).
hugs, alessandra grace.
Thanks for the opportunity xo
mE..
AWesOme*pOssoM mE
mE!
This is great! Another fun doodle excercise for my students. We won’t all be in beds, but maybe I’ll have them sit differently, stand, or go get comfy on the grass ;]
Day2-thanks for bring a touch of ‘silliness’ back into my art.i would love to win these lovely books🐝
Hi there….sweet little kitties!
Cutie kitties 🙂
straight after work, I will be on my bed drawing silly cats;))))) Love them Carla xx
Love your cats. I never thought if drawing in bed – obviously need your book!
Love your cats, including the real one!
Love The cats! Thanks Carla
You have heard from me before. Love your art, love that you open our eyes to the magic world around us to help fill our life with joy.
just retired after 35 plus years and can hardly wait to start learning to draw and paint and my cat would be my favorite subject .
woo hoo, Day 2!
I tried the nail polish marbling and even though my polish was probably old (it dried very fast!) I still got some great deigns! Off to the dollar store tomorrow for fresh polish — after I draw my cats in bed, that is!
Sent from my mobile d’Vice!
Hah! my cats would love to help me draw their portraits in bed! Good thing I didn’t try that when we were working on the magic horse 😉
I Am throwing my pretty little hat in the ring for the giveaway. I have two nieces that will get a kick out of drawing with me during the winter holidays if I win. Good luck to all.
omgosh! The inspiration of drawing in bed with Carla’s kit would just be awesome!
Cats in bed – how cool is that? Love to win!!
Sharing a giveaway daily and a drawing. This is terrific! I really love the cats.
Lovely cats crawling all over the pages on the bed – my grand daughter will get a page in the post this week – ethnic you for the inspiration. Yes I would like to win too.
I love those cats, they look just like my real cats on my bed!
You’ve captured a cat’s demeanor 🙂 would love to win!
I always remember the first time I read your opening sentence of the first exercise in Drawing Lab: “1. Gather your materials and get into bed.” KNEW I was home!!! I mean, seriously, how could you not love that !?!
Adorable cat drawings!!
What a fun idea…love cats!
No cat! But would love the kit!
Thank you for putting fun in the world! Let’s all play more, grouse less!
Your cats cheered me up! I have my fingers crossed!
Off to draw a dog or cat. Whichever I find first:)
What a cool and fun exercise! I love the cats you drew. Fun, relaxed and inspiring!
OMG, how cute! Would love to take one of your classes…
My kitty ran away. I miss her
Hi, I am going to use this fun idea with my students. We don’t have a bed but we have comfy chairs and the rug. Thank you! :o) Helen
drawing giveaway day two entry! I love draw cats in bed. Though my Westie dog would rather have it let the dog on the bed!
This is the first lesson I did when I purchased the book drawing lab a few years ago! Love this Book so much and excited to see it available with this kit! Would make a great gift for any artist including both kids and adults!
I draw cats! And these are wonderfully imperfectly perfect! What fun! I’m eager to try the book!
What fun! Thank you!
As a person that has a cat honoring us un our house this looks like so much fun!
This is already on my Amazon wish list so winning it would be so sweet!!
How fun…did it with dogs…smile…would love to win!
I love the idea of sitting badly and drawing even though I am not an animal person
This is fun, drawing the cats on my bed when I’m in my bed … lol
What a fun project to try. I’m off to bed with my cats!! Thanks Carla for the great ideas!
Love the playfull kitty drawings…
Love it!
Can’t wait to try this one! I have 3 models to help me 😉 My students will love this one. Except there are no beds in class – we’ll have to find another ‘odd’ place to get creative.
Thank you another opportunity to win!
Oh, I think I’m in love with the cats!
Thank you
Love, love, love your work!!
I love your cat drawings. They are the first things that drew me to your work. Thanks for the free tutorial.
Would love to win today!
Loved your Drawing Lab book (although it seems to be hiding somewhere in the house right now!) and would so love to win this kit! 🙂
How cute! I love your ideas to get folks like me motivated to draw:-)
LOve your art and would be thrilled to win the Drawing Lab kit! Thanks for the opportunity.
Glad to see that Natalie is helping you! Love your cat drawings!
Everytime I see the two cats, they seem to be lounging around together – usually entwined!! haha!! Fun Giveaway!
I did this exercise when I first bought your Drawing Lab for mixed media artists book. It was a lot of fun and it really did help me loosen up a bit.
I love these cats, even more so because our beautiful birds feel safe when they are around! I would love to win! Aubrey C-S
Fun, fun, fun!
Your animals are such fun. Thanks for sharing them.
I always love your drawing assignments…I am already excited for tomorrow! -k.
what a fun way to spend a morning!
Well, learning to draw cats would be a great start! 🙂 I would love to win. 🙂
Kit. Cats. Oh My!
Ahhhh, that’s a good one!
Great idea to get into a non-traditional sketch position. I’m going to try that!
I love cats! Looking forward to seeing the winners’ names!
Cats in bed….what a great idea. I sure would like to win.
I love all your kitties. and would love to win one of the kits.
Ha ha, I think I’ll draw cats in bed (literally) while I’m in bed. Just yesterday I made a note to put a sketchbook on my nightstand so I could draw when I first wake up. I’m loving to have this other chance to win that drawing kit. Cheers-Darlene
Love the cats in bed……so cute!
What a good idea to get back to the fun of drawing!
Carla – thanks for the cats inspiration, and for everything you do! That includes the chance to win your kit!
Meow. Purrfect holiday gift. Me hope wins.
You make everything fun Carla and what is so wonderful is that you spread the cheer! xo
When you said cats in bed, I certainly had a different visual image. (thought the cats would be in bed) Regardless , I love your post. I would love to win as well. Thanks for the opportunity!
I thought the same as Rinee – was looking for the cat-beds!
Meow! My daughter’s French teacher loves cats too. She actually had to write a paragraph in French from a picture prompt that included a man, a woman & 5 cat bridesmaids! Now that’s silly!
Would love to share this kit with her teacher! Woo-Hoo!
We love cats! Thanks for another giveaway!
awwww….. I adore your cats. They have sooooo much character! Thank you for this.
Natalie makes a great model! Love your colored cat
how fun! thanks for making my days a little more colorful with your artistic offerings!
I LOVE and admire the loosen flow of your drawings, one can tell that you are having fun when you do your drawings and all wonderful things that come out of your imagination !! playful kitties !!
My cat is one thing(being) I feel like I can kind of draw. I think it’s seeing him so often and knowing him for ten years now, knowing that shape. 🙂 Glad I saw your e-mail! I always love seeing your doodles! You inspire me. (I discovered you in a library book…)
Prrrrrrrrrrr…..
I would like to win this book because it takes the shoulds and oughts out of drawing making it fun and non- threating. Thanks for the fun!
Susan Thompson
i love your cat sketches! such a wonderful give away!
Your cats are so much fun. Love the real one, too. 😉
Blarg 🙂 (sorry…can’t help it…it’s my new favorite word…I am compelled to share…)
Since I don’t have a cat or any pet at home, guess i will draw while watching some cat videos on you tube.
How fun about the cats and I love CATS!
LauraT
Love this. Cats can be so fun to “capture”
Cats in bed, breakfast in bed, reading books in bed all sound great to me ;).
Maybe today is my lucky day!
A cat with a meow is way to say hi!
Oh that is a neat exercise, what a great idea. And your result shows how well it works!
my cat Mojo sleeps with us most nights, so it won’t be hard to have a beautiful model for my drawings. I’m excited to try to draw him before he moves! Great idea.
i try again and again… .it could work… just like drawing!
Thank you another opportunity to win!
Oh yes! I want the kit!!!!!
LOVE Silly Art!! (Love being silly 🙂 Natalie is beautiful. Keeping my fingers crossed.
My dog… she’s very jealous! AhAh!! Hope to win!
wonderful chance to win! Thank you for this opportunity!
Here kitty, kitty! Good luck peeps!
In bed right trying to do some cats 🙂
Sure would like to win one of the kits. – Thanks for doing the giveaway.
Oh so want to win. Love ya carla
Your cats are so magical
It really does sound fun to draw on a bed!!! Must try it! … note to self, must ask neighbour to lend cat for a drawing session!!!
I’m not sure if I could win this (I live in France) but I’ve learnt a new fun idea of drawing today anyway, and that’s totally worth it!
You are bringing the child back in me! Thanks for the inspiration!
Your animals are full of character. Thank you for this inspiration.
I think your cat Natalie loves her poster….
I’m so happy with the animals I created during your lesson in Life Book 🙂 Would love to win.
I too have a alarm cat, er of course I am sure she probably thinks “I have a human I have trained to pet me” who wakes me 1/2 hour before the alarm clock rings! I hope I win a Drawing Lab Kit…meow.
loves your cats would love to win thanks for the chance
Cure kitties. Always fun!
Love your book, keep borrowing it from the library would love to own it!
would love to win.
Kitty creations for the win!
Cuddled up with cats, crayons to hand and cuppa in the other, what could be better than this! A big thank you from me and purrs from Indie & Coconut for a fun way to let my ‘inner child’ out to draw! thank you too for the chance to win the giveaway…
A Drawing Lab Kit… and I thought nothing could be better than the book – you did it again, Carla!!
looks like loads of fun and hours of creativity 😉
These are whimsical and so much fun!
250 comments? (Make that 251 now!) My chances are slim . . . but I have to try to win this fabulous giveaway! Thank you!
This is my favourite exercise yet! Wonderful idea Carla. Thanks for the inspiration. X
Can’t wait to draw my cat!
Wow you got a lot of comments! I know why too… your art is always a joy to behold! IO love your stylized approach you are like the female version of Eric Carle, Maybe I should call you Erica Carla! You do basically the same thematic development constantly yet ever changing and growing. What an artist is!!!! Love you Carla and your art! Sanna
Fun exercise! Beds aren’t just for sleeping with cats!! Great idea Carla!
Love the cats!
Love this idea and would love a chance to win.
Cute cats, my grand daughter will love this =) Thanks for a chance to win
Cool Cat
Your work always inspires and makes me smile. Thank you for reminding me to relax and play b
I like your creativity, so original!
Oh please …me, me, me…:)
Do I feel lucky??????
I just love your courses! Doing one every now and then! I was actually looking at this very book last week at Amazon and put it on my wishlist! Thanx for all the effortput into your workshops!
MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW .. MEEEEE … OOOOOOW!
I love the silliness of this exercise…and I love cats…and this kit!
I would loveeeee to win this one thanks for the chance
Isn’t it amazing how cats ALWAYS place themselves where we inevitably notice them? My sometimes-cat has now resided on my computer chair for two whole days so that I have had to bring in another chair, because I am terrified by the thought of me sitting down ON the cat.
And YES, I would like to win this kit, please.
So cute! I have three “models” at home. Will have to put them to use as such. 🙂 Thank you for the chance to win – I’ve had this on my Amazon wish list.
Cutest kitties!…bea
i already have this book but know someone who would LOVE to receive as a gift 🙂
today’s exercise (draw cats in bed) is one of my favorites. it’s such a fun way to draw!!
I love cats!!! It´s very funny play with my little love……and draw it.
Love your cats. I love drawing cats in boxes.
I’d LOVE to win!!!! I’d be so honored! Fingers crossed! 🙂
Is it really MONDAY!!! I think I need to draw some cats!! ; )
See, it’s actually TUESDAY!! I REALLY need to draw some cats!!!
Sick in bed with kitten on feet. Time to draw.
yay!
I’d love to win the kit.
Crossing my fingers!
those are the kind of kats I draw.
thanks for the chance to win the kit.
I love the Krazy Kats! Must learn to draw and paint them, they would make such cute ornaments…..
Cute cats!!
The Drawing Lab book is awesome! I have the e-Book and love the chance at winning the kit. Thank you so much! ps. Drawing Cats in Bed…harder than it looks but so much fun! It really does take your drawing to a different level. 🙂
I used to have 3 cats. I miss them but would have fun drawing them!
I love it! Anything to take the perfection out of drawing!
Love all the kitties, especially Natalie! Would also love to win this kit!
I love cats,especially Silly ones. I would love to try this out on my cat “Ratchet” he is a funny and loving cat. I would be delighted to win.
cats and bed what is better?
I really don’t want cats in my bed BUT I’d love to draw cats in bed!!
miau … would love to win one of these …. and share with my cats … in bed …. 😉
So Cute! Just did a little cat painting because of a song I heard in the perspective of a cat. Love these ^_^.
You have so many comments to read..Here’s mine, I love the simplicity of your drawings, I follow your web and do your crack of the month, gives one freedom
to work out side of the box, would love to win your kit, thank you for sharing your
talent.
I love cats. I wish I wasn’t allergic to them so I could have one as a model. Great exercise!
Oh, what a beautiful model Natalie is! I wish my Luna would be so cooperative! Lol! I’d love another chance to win your wonderful giveaway! Now back to the drawing board. 🙂
Love the cats! And would love the free giveaway…
Cats. Bed. Drawing. Oh what fun. Oh, and the chance to win a Drawing Lab Kit – excellent!!!!!
Thanks to your site I was exposed to Karine Swenson’s work and I drove down to her home during the Hwy 62 art tour and got to meet her. I mentioned to her that I found her work through your site and that you both are great inspirations to me right now. I’d love to win the Drawing Lab Kit to keep that inspiration going!!
Thanks for another chance to win!
great idea. ….
Such cute cats!!! Here’s to another chance at winning. 😀
Fun cats!
soo cute!
Keeping my fingers crossed!
actually, my first thought was that the pictures were supposed to be of cats in bed 🙂 (see why I need the book?)
I think my comment went into the wrong box yesterday..this may be too late but still want to say how fun the cats are!
Please pick my name.
Love the kitties!
Thanks for the heads up!
what a great way to start the day! Would love the kit to boost my creativity.
Maybe I’m no.400…I’ll try anyway! I love those drawing kits!
Would love to win this!
Would love this kit!! Can’t go wrong with be given a “SMILE” a day!!!
hi again….just me again…. I love your work!