Biological terminology: Definitions Archives

Carbon Cycle: A Complicated Illustration

Posted on 14th February 20239th March 2023 in Biological terminology: Definitions, Current projects and news

When I was asked to “illustrate the Carbon cycle” for a brochure on gardening and carbon use, by Riksforbundet Svensk Tradgard I wasn’t too perturbed. Easy enough. Four little words. How wrong I was! Overview of the Carbon Cycle Reduced to its simplest form, the Carbon cycle describes the flow of Carbon, and the gas […] Read more

Plant Evolution: A brief overview

Posted on 25th November 2022 in Biological terminology: Definitions, botanical terms

Plant Evolution is complicated, and in this blog I plan on simplifying it and trying to share some of the awe and joy that I get from the kindgom of plants. All the information is based an an excellent talk I recently heard on the subject, by Chris Thorogood and hosted by Julia Trickey. Plants […] Read more

Ants in the UK: Four subfamilies

Posted on 26th August 202226th August 2022 in Biological terminology: Definitions, Current projects and news

Having recently written a blog on the anatomy of ants, and been on three marvellous FSC courses about these fabulous insects, I’m going to try and share what I’ve learned about telling the four UK subfamilies of ants apart. To get anywhere with ant identification, you need a basic grasp of ant anatomy, and a […] Read more

Ant anatomy for Beginners

Posted on 13th June 202222nd July 2022 in Biological terminology: Definitions, Current projects and news

I’ve recently gone on a couple of fabulous courses with Field Studies Council (FSC). Two of these focussed on Ants. They were taught by Gino Brignoli, and the second by Mike Fox, both ant experts. These courses are open to anyone with an interest, and are always an excellent way to learn an enormous amount […] Read more

halophytes Coastal seaside plant flowers

Halophytes: Salt Tolerant Plants

Posted on 6th March 202029th September 2022 in Biological terminology: Definitions, botanical terms

Halophytes: Salt Tolerant Plants Halophytes are plants that tolerate or thrive in salty conditions. I recently finished the illustrations for a chart of seaside flowers, and got to wondering how these plants can survive in these hostile habitats? Another job, illustrating stamps for a Seaside flowers issue, added to my interest. This blog had me […] Read more

Rushes: An Introduction

Posted on 19th July 201814th January 2019 in Biological terminology: Definitions

Having recently written blogs about the anatomy of grasses and sedges; this week I’ll be examining rushes. As with the Cyperaceae and Graminaceae, these common and beautiful plants are frequently overlooked. Many seem to favour of wild flowers with florid petals and bright colours. However, rushes deserve a closer look. Hairy Wood rush Luzula pilosa Anatomy of Rushes: Overview […] Read more

Sedges: An introduction

Posted on 13th July 201814th January 2019 in Biological terminology: Definitions, botanical terms

I frequently get asked to illustrate plants which many see as a little dull, and one of these families is the sedges (Cyperaceae). Sedges, however, are far from dull but are elegant and beautiful plants. Perhaps all it takes to make people love them is a little information on their anatomy and diversity? Like grasses […] Read more

Woodpecker Skull Biomechanics: Natural History Illustration

Posted on 16th March 201811th January 2019 in Biological terminology: Definitions

Sometimes I get asked to complete natural history illustrations on topics that are as fascinating as they are random. Last week, Bloomsbury Publishers got in touch to ask me to do a diagram for one of the books in their “Spotlight” series of natural history titles, this book will be all about woodpeckers. (I’ve done diagrams […] Read more

What’s in a name? part 2

Posted on 26th August 201619th December 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

In the last blog I talked about how vital Latin names are to botanical illustrators, natural history and Sciart practitioners and enthusiasts. We covered Kingdoms, Phylum, Class, Order and Family. In this blog we’re looking at the two components of an organism’s Latin name – the genus and the species. Genus and species Now we get down […] Read more

What’s in a name? part 1

Posted on 12th August 201619th December 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

Natural history illustrators are asked to illustrate a wide variety of plants and animals. It’s vital that you draw the correct organism! With so many similar species out there, I can honestly say that I’d be lost if it weren’t for the use of a Latin name. These pinpoint the living thing you’re illustrating. Using […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Exploring Adventitious Roots

Posted on 27th June 201619th December 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

In my last blog I mentioned that being a botanical illustrator sometimes involves a fair amount of research, in this case examining different types of root. Natural history illustration and botany go hand in hand. In researching roots I’ve realised that the more you learn, the more you find you need to learn. This blog […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Exploring Root Variety

Posted on 10th June 201618th March 2021 in Biological terminology: Definitions

As a botanical illustrator, spending time examining plants and their structures, I’m continually amazed by the variety of forms plants produce. Take, if you will, the humble “root”. A “root” is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “The part of a plant which attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically underground, […] 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

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

Natural History Illustration: Insect anatomy

Posted on 15th January 20157th December 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

Insects are my favourite creatures. I love illustrating them in my natural science commissions. Here’s a brief overview of the parts of any insect which should help anyone doing entomological illustration. Insect overview Insects are invertebrates; they sport an external skeleton rather than internal bones. Their limbs are jointed, they’re cold-blooded, have six legs and […] Read more

Botany Terms: The basics

Posted on 18th September 20143rd December 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

If you’re going to illustrate botany or natural history specimens, you need to know what you’re drawing. Biology provides words for almost every part of an animal or plant. Although sometimes these terms sound intimidating (many have latin roots so sound unfamiliar) they don’t need to put you off. Introduction to botany terms This blog […] Read more

leaf, leaves, leaf shape, compound leaves, simple leaves, botany, botany terms,

Botanical Illustration: Compound and Simple leaves

Posted on 25th October 201324th November 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

I’ve recently completed some botanical illustrations and diagrams of leaves. They’re for for The 21st Century Herbal by Michael Balick. Several illustrations demonstrating different botanical terms for leaf shape were required. Reasons why botanical terminology helps I think knowing what variety exists in nature helps you to understand what you’re drawing. So I thought I’d share some botanical terminology […] Read more

Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica, invasives, step by step

Japanese knotweed sketchbook study

Posted on 3rd May 20133rd December 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions, Botanical Illustration step by step, Illustration techniques

Japanese Knotweed job I’ve been working on a series of three scientific illustrations of invasive plants this week, for Summersault Communications. This blog is about doing a Japanese knotweed sketchbook study. The article accompanying my illustrations will explain how to identify the plants and why they pose a threat. I am fortunate in that the […] Read more

Illustrating Iridescence

Posted on 24th March 20133rd November 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions, Illustration techniques

Mechanics of Iridescence There are many subjects in nature which are extraordinarily beautiful. Animals which glint and gleam with iridescence are definitely one of them. However, in order to take on the (not inconsiderable) challenge of illustrating iridescent creatures it’s important to have a basic grasp of the processes that cause these animals to shine […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Tips on leaf shapes

Posted on 3rd March 201324th October 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

Although you can always draw the leaf shapes that you see, and get lovely results; sometimes a bit of background botany can prove invaluable when undertaking a scientific illustration of a plant. Leaf shape: Monocot or Dicot? One of the main aspects to consider is the leaf of the plant. The first thing to […] Read more

Botanical illustration tips on painting leaves

Posted on 22nd February 201324th October 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

I’ve been doing botanical illustrations this week, and think perhaps some ideas on how to undertake a scientific illustration of leaves might be useful. Most of these examples are from my botanical sketchbooks (always keep sketchbooks!); although the final pieces are completed works for clients. Getting Reference before you start It goes without saying that […] Read more