botanical illustration Archives - Page 6 of 7

Botanical illustration: The Exploding Cucumber

Posted on 27th November 201514th December 2018 in Current projects and news

As a freelance natural history illustrator, I love the random nature of my commissions, and a recent request for some botanical sketchbook-style illustrations of the exploding cucumber Cyclanthera explodens was no exception. The request comes from a client working in the world of botanical cocktail research, so I was intrigued before I’d lifted a pencil. The exploding cucumber: An extraordinary […] Read more

Dog rose: Step by step illustration

Posted on 17th November 20153rd March 2020 in Botanical Illustration step by step

I’m currently working on a series of botanical illustrations and natural history drawings for Field Studies Council, who will use them on identification charts. One of the charts details edible British plants, and includes the Dog rose, Rosa canina. The first step is to draw up a pencil rough. I use a mechanical pencil, such as the Pentel […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Step by step Hazel

Posted on 16th October 201514th December 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

I’ve recently started painting up some botanical illustrations for FSC Publications, including the Hazel Corylus avellena. I worked for FSC before, on the Caring For Gods Acre illustrations). One that I knew would take some time, but was seasonally appropriate, was the Hazel Corylus avellana. I drew the leaves and nuts from reference gleaned from a local hedge, and […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Sketchbook studies

Posted on 31st July 201513th December 2018 in Illustration techniques

A sketchbook is a vital part of both the drawing and the learning process for me. Being asked to consider my relationship with them recently by Illustrator Magazine has made me pause. It’s not something I’ve thought about before, but it has made me realize just how vital these tools are to me. This blog […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Working from Photo reference

Posted on 10th July 201513th December 2018 in Illustration techniques

As a natural history illustrator, you often get asked to complete botanical illustrations of plants which aren’t in season, or bloom. This is where sketchbooks, filled with notes prove invaluable. But what if you’re asked to illustrate a botanical subject you’ve not got notes on, and which you can’t get hold of? Use a photo. […] Read more

Biolblitz at Llanbwchllyn Lake

Posted on 3rd July 201513th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

As a natural history illustrator, it’s inevitable that I’m passionate about wildlife. Wildlife close to home is especially appealing, so when my local Wildlife Trust, RWT offered a “Focus on Nature Bioblitz at Llanbwychllyn Lake” I had to go along. I love the wildlife trusts, and this is a perfect example of why. What is a bioblitz? “Bioblitz” […] Read more

Illustrating at the National Botanic Garden of Wales

Posted on 26th June 201513th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

My botanical illustrations have just appeared in The Garden Forager by Adele Nozedar, so we were honoured to be invited to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales to celebrate its launch. We also took part in a foraging weekend. Setting up in the Botanic Garden’s Glasshouse The event was based in the glorious glasshouse, and I have rarely been prouder […] Read more

Crickhowell Art Trail

Posted on 12th June 201513th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Taking part in Crickhowell Art Trail It’s been a busy few weeks for this natural history illustrator. Hay Festival, demonstrating at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales (more of which next week), and illustrating and meeting the public during Crickhowell Art Trail. Bookish is a wonderful independent book shop in Crickhowell. They asked me to be […] Read more

Illustrating Invasive Plant Species

Posted on 4th June 201513th December 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Natural history illustrators have to do natural science and botanical illustrations of both beneficial and of problematic invasive species. Many times, the reason a plant or animal is causing problems within an ecosystem is because it doesn’t belong in that system. It hasn’t evolved in equilibrium with the other species there, and thus out-competes them. […] 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

Using Negative Space

Posted on 27th March 201510th December 2018 in Illustration techniques

Natural history illustration requires the illustrator to draw accurately and with confidence, and using negative space can help with this. It’s a tool I use every day. The easiest way to think of negative space is as the space between and around objects; the triangles between spokes of a bike wheel, the ovals in the […] 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

Illustrating higher plants in a graveyard

Posted on 13th February 20157th December 2018 in Current projects and news

I’ve recently been working on natural history illustrations for The Field Studies Councils publications department, in this case for a fold out chart of plants commonly found in British graveyards. Last week I took a look at some of the lower plants we can expect to find in our local graveyard; this week it’s the turn of the […] Read more

Illustrating lower plants in a churchyard

Posted on 6th February 20157th December 2018 in Current projects and news

Natural history subjects to draw and paint abound. Many relish the tranquility of the British churchyard. The Field Studies Council know this, and have recently commissioned my botanical illustrations for a fold out chart. Lower plants love the damp stone of a churchyard. You find many ferns across the UK in churchyards and cemeteries, including this Hart’s […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Ivy

Posted on 22nd January 20157th December 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

I recently got to illustrate common Ivy Hedera helix. I’m often asked to do botanical illustrations of this plant, and always enjoy it enormously. Reference is so very easy to come by! I had look on the wall at the back of the garden, and decide the shape of this Ivy sprig is perfect; fluid but […] Read more

Botanical Illustrations and Christmas decorations

Posted on 19th December 20146th December 2018 in Current projects and news

As a maker of botanical illustrations, and someone who loves colour and decorations; I enjoy Christmas as it allows me to bring botanical subjects into my home. This weekend saw the family heading off to choose a christmas tree. Once set up at home, there were plenty of off-cuts. As in previous years, these get […] Read more

Inspirations – John Ruskin

Posted on 5th December 20146th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

A recent talk on the botanical illustrations created by John Ruskin was informative and inspirational. The Ruskin Library Illustrations by John Ruskin are from the fascinating collection at the Ruskin Library, Lancaster University, which is open to the public. In a full hall in Gloucestershire, members of IAPI (Institute for Analytical Plant Illustrators) and the Gloucestershire Society for Botanical […] Read more

Step by Step Fly agaric fungus

Posted on 7th November 20145th December 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

Natural history illustrators are quick to paint specimens that turn up on their doorstep. So when Dave Prescott of Herefordshire New Leaf appears with a beautiful fly agaric fungus (Amanita muscaria) I leap at the chance to paint it. Drawing up the Fly agaric First up, draw it. I want to focus on the stem (stipe), so take […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Rose step by step

Posted on 3rd July 201430th November 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

I love the series of 50 natural history illustrations (done in a sketchbook style) needed for the follow up to The Hedgerow Handbook by Adele Nozedar. This rose is one of the plants on the list. The book is “The Cultivated Forager”, and will tell you what and how to eat common garden plants. Preparing to paint This week […] Read more

Botanical Illustration: Why it’s still relevant

Posted on 7th March 20143rd December 2018 in Illustration techniques

Why use botanical illustration? I recently read a good blog by Susannah Spier. She argues that botanical illustration still matters. I agree strongly with it. It’s the basis of this week’s blog. It’s a relevant question. There are so many good ways of recording botanical subjects with digital devices. Why should the traditional skills […] Read more

What to illustrate in Winter

Posted on 22nd February 201427th November 2018 in Current projects and news

Botanical and scientific illustrators are bound by the seasons. It’s our quiet time in winter. Everything flowers in a mad rush in May. I hear natural history illustrators across the land wailing because there’s never enough time to draw the profusion of flowers in season before they go over. It’s a similar scenario in autumn, […] Read more

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus natural history illustration by Lizzie Harper

Botanical Illustrations, a Sparrowhawk, and some Butterflies

Posted on 22nd November 201326th November 2018 in Current projects and news

Botanical illustrations Commission by Rodale I’ve just finished a whole set of botanical illustrations for “Rodale’s 21st century Herbal” by Michael Balick; a mix of full watercolours like this cross section of an Echinacea; pen and ink with colour wash, like this sheet of seeds and fruit; step-by-step gardening illustrations like this layering of marjoram, and a bundle […] Read more

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Step by step – Painting a Sweet Pea

Posted on 19th July 201315th November 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

I’m currently working on a series of sketchbook style illustrations of common cultivated garden plants (like the sweet pea); there’s a possibility these will illustrate a book on foraging in the garden in the next year or so. One of the plants needing illustrating was the sweet pea. While visiting a friend, I espied her sweet peas, […] Read more

Step by step, process, tutorial, how to, art teaching, art tutorial, sxs, sketchbook, sketchbook study,

Step by step sketchbook study of a rose

Posted on 12th July 201315th November 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

I recently did a botanical illustration sketchbook study of a rose for a natural history illustration project I’m working on. This proved really tricky; partly because the flower and foliage were very dense and lush, but mostly because by the end the rose had shed all its petals! Step 1: Set up the Rose and […] Read more