Squirrel in Knit Beanie with Acorn

Start with the acorn. It's the only saturated color in an otherwise cream-and-rust composition, held front and center between two tiny mittened paws — and once it's on the page, every other choice falls into place around it. The squirrel above is rendered in soft fur shapes: oversized eyes, tufted ears, full cheeks, a warm tan beanie pulled down over the brow.

The palette is intentionally narrow. Russet, cream, dusty teal on the mittens, and the single brown-orange acorn. A cozy, low-contrast design — easier on the colorist than busier woodland scenes typically are, and easier on the eye to look at when finished.