coastal Archives - Lizzie Harper

Jersey Post: Illustrating Thrift

Posted on 3rd April 2020 in Current projects and news, Illustration techniques

In February, my series of Coastal Flower postage stamps were published by Jersey Post. The presentation pack featured a cliff-top scene in amongst clouds of thrift. This blog explains how I did my best to capture both the flowers and the landscape behind. (All illustrations in this post are copyright Jersey Stamps 2020.) For more […] Read more

Jersey Post: Coastal Flowers Stamp issue

Posted on 20th March 202020th March 2020 in Current projects and news, Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Jersey Post recently brought out their “Coastal Flowers: Post and Go” stamp issue, which I was lucky enough to have illustrated. (All illustrations in this blog are copyright Jersey Post 2020). Illustrating stamps Each stamp issue involves illustrating six stamps, a presentation pack, an envelope for the First Day Cover, and a date stamp. This […] Read more

halophytes Coastal seaside plant flowers

Halophytes: Salt Tolerant Plants

Posted on 6th March 202029th September 2022 in Biological terminology: Definitions, botanical terms

Halophytes: Salt Tolerant Plants Halophytes are plants that tolerate or thrive in salty conditions. I recently finished the illustrations for a chart of seaside flowers, and got to wondering how these plants can survive in these hostile habitats? Another job, illustrating stamps for a Seaside flowers issue, added to my interest. This blog had me […] Read more

Coastal Flowers: Illustrating a Flower Guide

Posted on 21st February 202016th March 2022 in Current projects and news

I’ve recently completed a series of thirty three botanical illustrations of coastal flowers for Field Studies Council Publications. What I love about these jobs is the enormous amount you learn about species you may never have noticed before. In this blog, I’m going to showcase a few of these lovely plants, and what seaside habitats […] Read more

Illustrating a Coastal Hay Meadow Landscape

Posted on 27th September 201914th October 2019 in Current projects and news

Illustrating a Hay Meadow: The Commission A recent commission to illustrate a hay meadow landscape down on the coast of Devon was a wonderful job. The client is North Devon Area of Natural Beauty (NDAONB) and the illustration will be used on an interpretation board on site. Currently, the area is scrub land; it’s over-grazed […] Read more

The tale of a Barnacle drawing

Posted on 12th December 20146th December 2018 in Current projects and news

This is the tale of a pencil illustration of a group of barnacles. Recently, I completed a series of natural history illustrations to accompany a rather wonderful book by John Wright (The Naming of the Shrew). There were 12 illustrations to do (see my blog on Scientific illustration in pencil for details) I don’t often get asked to illustrate […] 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

Pembrokeshire coastal animals

Posted on 18th July 20141st December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Last week my blog was on flower and plant treats available on a weekend trip to Pembrokeshire. This week it’s the turn of the animals. Bosherston beach, Stackpole, Pembrokeshire Animals of the Coastal Path: Beetles The first treat, on a sandy path facing the sun, were Green tiger beetles. I love these fierce animals. They scuttle at high […] Read more

Pembrokeshire coastal plants

Posted on 11th July 20141st December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Walking on the Coastal path in Pembrokeshire makes for a wonderful break. Natural history illustrators go on holiday too. This is where they find their inspiration. I was just treated to a glorious weekend of walking, and looking at the coastal flowers. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path We walk from Manorbier to Barafundle beach. This stretch is gorgeous, taking in […] Read more