Blogs - Page 10 of 16 - Lizzie Harper

Here are the blogs I’ve written over the years. Subjects range from step by step painting tutorials, to botanical anatomy, to current projects.

They appear in the order they’ve been written. However, if you scroll down the page you’ll find they have also been organised into categories to make browsing a little more focused.

There are even some guest blogs in amongst. I hope you enjoy them, and do please feel free to leave a comment.

Step by step Elder

Posted on 4th December 201518th December 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

There’s a really wonderful job I’m working on right now; about 20 botanical illustrations of different edible plants for a fold out chart, to be produced by the Field Studies Council. Other blogs on this job include the step by step of painting a dog rose, and the step by step painting of a wild strawberry […] Read more

Botanical illustration: The Exploding Cucumber

Posted on 27th November 201514th December 2018 in Current projects and news

As a freelance natural history illustrator, I love the random nature of my commissions, and a recent request for some botanical sketchbook-style illustrations of the exploding cucumber Cyclanthera explodens was no exception. The request comes from a client working in the world of botanical cocktail research, so I was intrigued before I’d lifted a pencil. The exploding cucumber: An extraordinary […] Read more

Dog rose: Step by step illustration

Posted on 17th November 20153rd March 2020 in Botanical Illustration step by step

I’m currently working on a series of botanical illustrations and natural history drawings for Field Studies Council, who will use them on identification charts. One of the charts details edible British plants, and includes the Dog rose, Rosa canina. The first step is to draw up a pencil rough. I use a mechanical pencil, such as the Pentel […] Read more

Natural History Illustration: Step by step Parrot

Posted on 13th November 201512th June 2019 in Zoological step by step

As a natural history illustrator, I get asked to do botanical illustration, entomological illustration and recently, to complete an ornithological illustration of the Yellow Headed Amazon Parrot Amazona ochrocephala oratri for a friend, who has one as a pet. Getting reference The first step is always the same, get the reference ready. In this case my client wanted […] Read more

Common Nettle Urtica dioica natural history illustration by Lizzie Harper

Botanical Illustrator tests Nettle sting

Posted on 31st October 201514th December 2018 in Current projects and news

The other week, I went on a foraging expedition with Adele Nozedar who wrote The Hedgerow Handbook and The Garden Forager (both of which I illustrated). She mentioned that plantain is better for treating nettle stings than the traditional favourite, dock. Ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata This led to a lively discussion on Twitter where other possible “cures” for stings were offered. Helping a sting: […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Step by step Hazel

Posted on 16th October 201514th December 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

I’ve recently started painting up some botanical illustrations for FSC Publications, including the Hazel Corylus avellena. I worked for FSC before, on the Caring For Gods Acre illustrations). One that I knew would take some time, but was seasonally appropriate, was the Hazel Corylus avellana. I drew the leaves and nuts from reference gleaned from a local hedge, and […] Read more

Foraging with Adele Nozedar

Posted on 2nd October 201517th June 2022 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Despite supplying botanical illustrations for the natural history foraging classic “Hedgerow Handbook” by Adele Nozedar, and doing events together (such as at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales) I’d never had the chance to go foraging with her…until Monday. Cover of “The Hedgerow Handbook” by Adele Nozedar (illustrated by me) A beautiful sunny autumn afternon saw a large group […] Read more

Illustrating The Glanwye Fishery

Posted on 25th September 201514th December 2018 in Current projects and news

I’ve recently completed a lovely natural history illustration job; doing a series of scientific illustrations to accompany a map of the Glanywye fishing site. This beautiful “beat” is on a stretch of the river Wye. The Glanwye Fishery is loved by anglers who catch numerous Atlantic salmon and other fish there. It’s run by a group […] Read more

Natural History Illustration: Salmon life cycle

Posted on 11th September 201514th December 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

Scientific illustration and wildlife art have been combined in a recent job; to illustrate wildlife of the River Wye for a keen local fisherman. A main focus has been the life cycle of the Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar. In researching these fish I’ve learnt a little of the key features present in each life cycle stage. A […] Read more

Natural History Illustration on Greetings cards

Posted on 28th August 201514th December 2018 in Current projects and news

Recently I was commissioned to do a series of natural history illustrations for greetings cards produced by Gallery One, in Dubai. After some discussion, seven animals and plants found in the United Arab Emirates were agreed on. I got to work. As the species were based so far from my home in the UK, I […] Read more

Illustrating at the New Naturalist Symposium

Posted on 14th August 201514th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Being a natural history illustrator means you need to draw wildlife, plants, and animals. You also need to market yourself. One of the less painful ways to do this is to attend events such as the biannual “New Naturalist Symposium“, this year held at the Oxford Museum of Natural History. What are the New Naturalist titles? […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Sketchbook studies

Posted on 31st July 201513th December 2018 in Illustration techniques

A sketchbook is a vital part of both the drawing and the learning process for me. Being asked to consider my relationship with them recently by Illustrator Magazine has made me pause. It’s not something I’ve thought about before, but it has made me realize just how vital these tools are to me. This blog […] Read more

Natural History Illustration at Art in Action

Posted on 24th July 201513th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

I was honored and delighted to be asked to join the Calligraphers and Illustrators this year at Art in Action. It’s an annual event at Waterperry Gardens near Oxford. Being a demonstrator gives me the chance to sell my original illustrations and cards to the thousands of visitors who attend this amazing event. I also got to demonstrate how […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Working from Photo reference

Posted on 10th July 201513th December 2018 in Illustration techniques

As a natural history illustrator, you often get asked to complete botanical illustrations of plants which aren’t in season, or bloom. This is where sketchbooks, filled with notes prove invaluable. But what if you’re asked to illustrate a botanical subject you’ve not got notes on, and which you can’t get hold of? Use a photo. […] Read more

Biolblitz at Llanbwchllyn Lake

Posted on 3rd July 201513th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

As a natural history illustrator, it’s inevitable that I’m passionate about wildlife. Wildlife close to home is especially appealing, so when my local Wildlife Trust, RWT offered a “Focus on Nature Bioblitz at Llanbwychllyn Lake” I had to go along. I love the wildlife trusts, and this is a perfect example of why. What is a bioblitz? “Bioblitz” […] Read more

Illustrating at the National Botanic Garden of Wales

Posted on 26th June 201513th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

My botanical illustrations have just appeared in The Garden Forager by Adele Nozedar, so we were honoured to be invited to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales to celebrate its launch. We also took part in a foraging weekend. Setting up in the Botanic Garden’s Glasshouse The event was based in the glorious glasshouse, and I have rarely been prouder […] Read more

Crickhowell Art Trail

Posted on 12th June 201513th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Taking part in Crickhowell Art Trail It’s been a busy few weeks for this natural history illustrator. Hay Festival, demonstrating at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales (more of which next week), and illustrating and meeting the public during Crickhowell Art Trail. Bookish is a wonderful independent book shop in Crickhowell. They asked me to be […] Read more

Illustrating Invasive Plant Species

Posted on 4th June 201513th December 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Natural history illustrators have to do natural science and botanical illustrations of both beneficial and of problematic invasive species. Many times, the reason a plant or animal is causing problems within an ecosystem is because it doesn’t belong in that system. It hasn’t evolved in equilibrium with the other species there, and thus out-competes them. […] Read more

Doing Botanical Illustration at Hay Festival

Posted on 28th May 201513th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Natural history illustrators are not used to being in the public eye; so the idea of drawing botanical illustrations live at Hay Festival of Literature had been making me nervous for some time. However, I’m proud of the illustrations in Adele Nozedar’s book “The Garden Forager” and since we’re good friends, thought it would be fine to “perform” […] Read more

Natural History Illustration: Corvids

Posted on 22nd May 20151st June 2020 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

As a botanical illustrator and natural history science art illustrator, I do have my favourites among the animal kingdoms. And I really love the Crow family, the Corvidae. I’ve only painted a few species from this family which includes jays, rooks, chough, ravens, crows and magpies; but I love both the way they look and their […] Read more

An Exhibition of Botanical Illustrations

Posted on 8th May 201512th December 2018 in Current projects and news

With mine and Sarah Putt’s shared exhibition launching tomorrow, I thought today’s blog could be a check list of what’s involved when you put on a show. Almost all the work I’m showing is from “The Garden Forager” by Adele Nozedar. Sarah’s work includes oils of masked portraits and glowing flowers. Geraniums Botanical Plate by Lizzie Harper […] Read more

Natural History Illustration: Tits (Paridae)

Posted on 1st May 201512th December 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

This week I thought it might be an idea to look at one family of British birds, the Tits (Paridae). Although I’ve not illustrated all the members of this family yet, I’ve done a fair few, so thought it’d be worth taking a look at each in turn. Tits: Blue tit First up is the […] Read more

Botanical illustration: Mosses

Posted on 8th April 201512th December 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

Natural history illustration involves drawing subjects (like mosses!) that you’re not entirely confident about. Recently I completed illustrations of two moss species for The Field Studies Council. I was lucky enough to find both species growing on my local churchyard wall, but before drawing them I needed to revise my moss anatomy. Many years ago I […] Read more

Using Negative Space

Posted on 27th March 201510th December 2018 in Illustration techniques

Natural history illustration requires the illustrator to draw accurately and with confidence, and using negative space can help with this. It’s a tool I use every day. The easiest way to think of negative space is as the space between and around objects; the triangles between spokes of a bike wheel, the ovals in the […] Read more

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