Zoological step by step

Zoological step by step blogs break down the stages of creating a natural history illustration. A zoological step by step blog will take you from the start to then end of an illustration. From sourcing reference material, through the stages involved in drawing up a pencil rough of an animal, then on to painting the fur and feathers. From butterflies to birds and mammals, these zoological step by step blogs cover a wide variety of animals. ALl with my natural history illustrations of the zoological step by step process.

Red Deer stag step by step

Posted on 14th June 2024 in Zoological step by step

It’s been a while since I did an animal step by step blog, so I thought I’d share a quick one on illustrating this Red deer stag Cervus elaphus. Reference I took a decent photo of a young Red deer stag a long time ago, and based the illustration on this. The advantage of using […] Read more

Spotted Flycatcher step by step

Posted on 24th January 202317th February 2023 in Illustration techniques, Zoological step by step

Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata are lovely birds, often overlooked because of their seemingly dull grey and brown plumage. They are one of the species I was recently commissioned to illustrate for a wildlife information board at Cusop churchyard; so I decided to do a step-by-step blog (and accompanying film) of the process. When I illustrate […] Read more

Step by step illustration of a Robin

Posted on 24th December 202124th December 2021 in Zoological step by step

Step by step blogs can be tricky to write – I often don’t know where to begin the explanation. In this blog, I’ll explain how I add colour to a pencil drawing of a Robin Erithacus rubecula. Completed Robin Step by step: Getting reference To get your drawing done, look for royalty free photos online, […] Read more

Chequered Skipper Butterfly Illustration

Posted on 6th May 202111th January 2023 in Zoological step by step

Chequered skipper butterflies used to be comparatively common in England, but became extinct here over 40 years ago. There’s still a population in Scotland, but nothing in England. However, the good people at Butterfly Conservation and Back to the brink teamed up with other conservation partners and set about changing that. The result is the […] Read more

Pied Wagtail Illustration

Posted on 20th December 2019 in Zoological step by step

Pied Wagtail The Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii is a common garden and urban bird here in Wales. I love the way they trot about, wagging their elongate tail up and down and cocking their black-capped heads inquisitively to one side. We have a regular garden visitor who spends a lot of time scampering from […] Read more

Step by Step Barn Swallow

Posted on 14th January 2019 in Zoological step by step

Illustrating birds is always wonderful. When it’s for a friend, is a bird you love, and when you have specimens to work from, it’s even better. Pencil roughs As always, the first step in a natural history illustration is to source your reference material and draw up a pencil sketch. I do this directly onto […] Read more

Field Vole step by step illustration

Posted on 28th June 201811th January 2019 in Zoological step by step

A recent natural history illustration commission was to paint a Short-tailed or Field vole (Microtus agrestis). This natural science illustration is for an information board to be erected in a nature reserve. Illustrating voles I’ve painted voles before, and I’ll be brutally honest and acknowledge that these illustrations have been far from my best. Voles […] Read more

Illustrating a Honey Label

Posted on 16th February 201810th January 2019 in Zoological step by step

I love it when I’m asked to produce botanical illustrations and natural history paintings for packaging. That was the case for this honey label. It’s a different side to what I do and I find the change refreshing and challenging. Sleeping Bear Honey Farm in the USA have commissioned me before to produce artwork for their […] Read more

Step by Step Ladybird Watercolour illustration

Posted on 17th March 201618th December 2018 in Zoological step by step

I was recently commissioned to do an entomological illustration of the Seven-spotted ladybird Coccinella septempunctata for a birthday gift. Gathering reference As always, the first step is to assemble your reference. I use as wide of a range of reference as I can; this decreases the chance of “copying” mistakes, and helps show the main features to […] Read more

Natural History Illustration of the Goshawk

Posted on 8th January 201618th December 2018 in Zoological step by step

After a lot of recent botanical illustration, it was a treat to be commissioned to do an ornithological natural history illustration of the Goshawk Accipiter gentilis for a private client. The Goshawk is a gorgeous bird of prey, and has long been used in falconry. They’re really hard to spot, and are fearsome predators. (A recent and […] 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

Illustrating a Butterfly Bouquet

Posted on 6th March 20157th December 2018 in Zoological step by step

I’m often asked to combine botanical art with scientific illustration. This butterfly with bouquet wings took this to a new level! Begin by drawing your Butterfly The client sent me a rough visual, and asked me to combine features of a butterfly with a Victorian style bouquet. Species and details were up to me. Well, […] Read more

Illustration: Step by step Waxwing

Posted on 29th January 20157th December 2018 in Zoological step by step

Science art, natural history illustration, natural science illustrations, botanical drawing; all these terms cover what I do, But this week’s blog is about creating an ornithological illustration, in this case of the Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus. Drawing the Waxwing First step is always to draw up the bird. I wanted to include background, and hoped scarlet and […] Read more

Painting a Puffin step by step

Posted on 26th September 20143rd December 2018 in Zoological step by step

When completing a natural science or scientific illustration of a species like the puffin, the process differs for each animal. It depends on what reference you have (photos, stuffed specimens, or the living plant or animal); and how long you have to complete the job. There are some general steps which are common to the […] Read more

Illustrating a Bumble bee

Posted on 31st January 20143rd December 2018 in Zoological step by step

Bumble bee commission I was commissioned to do a natural history illustration of a bumble bee for an interpretation board on flight. The client is Anglezarke Dixon Associates, for Yorkshire Dales National Park. They wanted a White tailed bumble bee (Bombus lucorum). This would accompany my scientific illustrations of the pipistrelle bat and peacock […] Read more

golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria, Pluvialis, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire dales, Yorkshire, scabious, quaking grass, briza, cotton grass, grass, tormentil, pontilla, eriphorum,

Illustrating a Golden Plover in Swaledale

Posted on 11th January 201427th November 2018 in Zoological step by step

Animals in their habitats Many scientific illustrations and botanical and natural history illustrations I do are cut-to-white. However, I often illustrate subjects (like this plover) in their natural habitat. This can be a challenge, but also highly enjoyable. You can put in specific details (such as someone’s home, or a tree they really like). It […] Read more

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Illustrating a Heath Fritillary Butterfly

Posted on 13th December 20133rd December 2018 in Zoological step by step

Illustrating a butterfly out of season: Challenges and solutions Illustrating a butterfly out of season is always a challenge as it’s hard to get good reference. This is true for the butterfly and the plants to be included in the image. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this private commission to illustrate two Heath fritillary butterflies […] Read more

bat, bats, microchiroptera, Bechteins, echolocation, nocturnal, small mammals,

Scientific Illustration of Bechstein’s bat

Posted on 18th October 201324th November 2018 in Zoological step by step

Problems with illustrating bats One of the more difficult animals I’m asked to do natural history illustrations of is bats. This is because getting reference of them in flight can be tricky. It involves being nice to lots of extremely talented photographers. Also, getting the different details on their body is vital. Here’s the approved […] Read more

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Illustration of Silver Washed Fritillary Butterfly

Posted on 3rd October 201326th November 2018 in Zoological step by step

I’ve been working on natural history watercolour illustrations for Buckinghamshire, Bedforshire & Oxon Wildlife Trust this month, and one of the species they wanted me to paint was the beautiful Silver washed fritillary butterfly, Argynnis paphia. This butterfly is instantly distinct from the other fritillaries because of the striking markings on its underwings; greens, golds, and some […] Read more

Hawkmoth, lepidoptera, Achenrontia, deaths head, deathshead,

Scientific Illustration of a Death’s Head Hawkmoth

Posted on 3rd August 201321st November 2018 in Zoological step by step

I received a private commission to do a scientific illustration of the Death’s head hawkmoth, Acherontia atropos for someone who is passionate about moths. Normally the first step is to get a specimen to work from, but alas in this case there were none at the local museum, and the deadline was tight. Gathering reference I collated […] Read more

Illustrating a Beetle in Watercolour

Posted on 11th February 20133rd December 2018 in Zoological step by step

As a natural history illustrator, I get asked to undertake lots of different scientific illustrations. Completing a botanical illustration requires a different approach from animal illustrations; and the shiny, metallic iridescence of a beetle is pretty much confined to these incredible insects alone. Drawing up the beetle When I draw a beetle, firstly I get […] Read more

Mara, wallaby, and a christmas illustration

Posted on 19th December 20123rd December 2018 in Zoological step by step

Christmas is coming! This week has been rather more to do with preparing for Christmas than illustrating. However, I have completed the remaining four roughs of deer for Whipsnade Zoo, and painted a mara and a Bennet’s Wallaby. Mara The mara is an animal that I’d not heard about until this commission came through. I took […] Read more