beetle Archives - Lizzie Harper

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

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 Science Illustration: Beetles

Posted on 4th April 201430th November 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Natural history illustrators have passions for their subject matter, and we also tend to have “favourites.” Without a shadow of a doubt, one of my favourite subjects to illustrate is insects. I’m especially fond the beetles (Coleoptera). A Passion for Beetles Chrysochroa buqueti rugicollis I’m not sure where my passion for beetles sprung from. I […] Read more

pencil, graphite, line, tonal, natural history, natural science illustration, botanical illustration,

Natural History Illustration: Pencil

Posted on 6th September 20132nd December 2019 in Illustration techniques

Pencil doesn’t seem to be a very fashionable medium for scientific illustration, or indeed for illustration as a whole. I think this is rather a pity as highly rendered pencil illustrations can be not only stunning but also a true joy to work on. Materials I always use mechanical pencils, preferring pentel P205 0.5mm HB or H […] 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

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