Hi Ilmu

Thanks for this, and your other comments. Im afraid I had to delete the other cones cause they were full of links. Getting ref is really difficult. Easy if the plant is growing ther, harder if you have to trawl through online sites. I also have an extensive library of books that I choose from.

the most useful specimen is the one that “feels right”, and looks most like your average plant, so no etra large leaves or odd colours. Its very much a matter of taste.

thanks for the question, really interesting one.

yours
Lizzie

Hi Sofie

Ah. This is so true. But unfortunately, if a cat kills or doesn;t kill has nothing to do with how well fed it is. Our own pet cat is fed every day, possibly is slightly too fat! Yet he often kills birds, mice, and other little aniumals. I hate it, but it is his instincts, not because he needs the food. A better question would probably be, “if you care about birds why do you have a cat, and why dont you advise other people not to have cats?” And the answer is very selfish. I love my cat. But the way the birds get killed breaks my heart. And he manages to catch them even with 3 bells on his collar. It’s really sad.

Thanks for your comment, like I say, you are right.

Yours
Lizzie

Hi Linda

I love this, thankyou. I have used acrylics, but never watered down. What a good idea, I may give it a go one day, I can see how they’d give excellent crisp edges and glowing colour. And so good to know that there are lots of unusual freezers out there!

Hi Jackie, if I remember rightly the original swallow watercolour was about 30 x 25cm. I have only done sketches of swifts, but they’re certainly on my list to illustrate between jobs. they are stunning, arent they?

Hi Hayden

That’s such a lovely comment. I’m so glad you liked the blog, and hope you enjoy the (somewhat macarbre) tour of my dead stuff! Thankyou