Wild Life Drawing Online: Toads & Frogs

Take the plunge and join us for a gentle, guided drawing class all about one of Britain’s most quietly charismatic creatures: the common toad. Found across mainland Britain, common toads have adapted remarkably well to life in both rural and suburban landscapes. Each spring, they return to their ancestral ponds to breed and lay the spawn that will become toadlets (toadlets!), gathering in lakes, ponds and ditches in an age-old migration that has played out for centuries. 

Sadly, life isn’t easy for young toads and common toad numbers are thought to be declining rapidly. Road traffic, climate change, habitat loss and human development all threaten their survival, made worse by how little we still understand about where amphibians go and why once breeding is complete.

For this class we are delighted to be joined by Dr Silviu Petrovan, Conservation Research Manager at PTES, Senior Researcher in the Conservation Science Group at the University of Cambridge — and, as it turns out, a fully fledged toadologist. Silviu has spent years studying amphibians in the field and will share fascinating insights into the secret lives of toads, their movements across the landscape, and what we can do to help protect them. Expect plenty of eye-opening toad facts, along with stories from his time working hands-on with these resilient and enigmatic animals.

We’ll also zoom out to take a look at another PTES-supported project all about the Bilbo's rain frog – one for you Tolkien fans! Endemic to the grasslands of South African, this amiable amphibian is listed as Near Threatened due to the same issues facing our common toad – habitat destruction, changing climates and road traffic.

The class will be hosted by illustrator Jennie Webber, who will begin with a nose-to-tail run through of amphibian anatomy followed by a step-by-step guided demo from high quality reference images, meaning you can relax and enjoy learning all about toads as we draw. Jennie will have top tips on how to capture those warty textures and expressive eyes, to make sure your drawing comes out toad-ally excellent. The class is open to all ages and abilities – especially beginners – so whether you haven’t drawn since school or you draw daily, you’ll get loads out of the session.

All you’ll need to take part is some paper, a pencil, a sharpener and a rubber, but feel free to experiment with other materials if you’re feeling adventurous. We’ll email you an event link along with instructions and reference images ahead of time, and as with all our online sessions, you’ll receive a recording of the class afterwards so you can watch it back whenever you like.

50% of profits will be donated to People’s Trust for Endangered Species for their work with toads and frogs.