xmas

Norway spruce Picea abies cone and individual seed

Christmas tree Nordmann Fir Abies nordmanniana fully decorated with a big pile of gifts underneath

Sweet chestnut Castanea sativa pen and ink illustration with watercolour wash.  Illustration shows detail of blossom, an opened spiny seed case, and a and lone chestnut.

Holly Ilex aquaifolium leaves and shiny red berries

Holly tree showing distinctive spiky leaves and growth form

Robin Erithacus rubecula perched on an old wooden post

Holly Ilex aquifolium portriat of one leaf, with a focus on the prickles and shine

Vaccinium oxycoccus Cranberry showing lateral growth habit flowers and berries

Mistletoe Viscum album showing berries and elaves

Mistletoe Viscum album pencil drawing showing berries and leaves

Holly Ilex aquifolium leaves with a cluster of red berries at the centre

Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea gemmifera pencil drawing of the plant showing how the sprouts grow up the stem and detail of a couple of sprouts

Sketchbook page of studies of the Ivy Hedera helix with one leaf in full colour detail, a berry, a flowering leaf, a seedhead, and some stem examinations in full colour. Lots of line drawings and tonal pencil studies of other parts of the plant such as the seeds and flowers, line drawings and habit sketches […]

How to prune holly

Robin Erithacus rubecula with a worm in its beak returning to an open fronted nest box attached to the trunk of a tree with a blue sky behind

Robin Erithacus rubecula splahsing in a white neoclassical style pedestal bird bath with water droplets spraying around, plumage fluffed out, and a grassy lawn behind

Robin Erithacus rubecula staring at the viewer with slightly ruffled feathers and a large eye, perched on an ash twig