stippling

The Treeline by Ben Rawlence.  “The Treeline is a spellbinding blend of nature, travel and science writing, deeply researched and beautifully written, underpinned by an urgent environmental message.”

Pen and ink botanical illustrations of trees and their leaves, fruit, and cones by Lizzie.

This book is based on the successful BBC World Service podcast, this book explains how animals have inspired human ingenuity and invention.  Find out how mosquito mouthparts make less painful hypodermic syringes, how fuel injection systems are more efficient thanks to the example of the Bombadier beetle, how mussels have helped foetal surgery, kingfisher beaks made bullet trains more efficient, and the properties of shark skin that have led to more hygienic hospital surfaces.

The illustrations were of the animals, and of the inventions they inspired, and as such were technically challenging.  It’s a fascinating book, with hundreds of “Oh WoW!” moments, and I’m very pleased to be associated with the project

The Living Wisdom of Trees required More than 120 detailed pen and ink illustrations of trees and details of each species, from the Acaccia to the Willow (and everything in between).  Published February 2020.