foraging Archives - Lizzie Harper

Trees: Elder

Posted on 18th March 2022 in Trees

Trees: Elder is another blog inspired by my illustrations for “The Tree Forager” by Adele Nozedar, published by Watkins. The book has inspired me to think about some of my favourite trees. The Elder Sambucus nigra is the sixth in this series, along side the Sycamore, Ash, Hawthorn, Rowan and the Oak. The Elder Sambucus nigra […] Read more

Illustrating Bracken and Ferns

Posted on 6th August 20218th May 2023 in botanical terms, Illustration techniques, Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Illustrating bracken and ferns may seem to be a really difficult job. However, the challenge lies in the drawing, not in adding the colour. I recently completed an illustration of Bracken Pteridium aquilinum for a forthcoming Field Studies Council Guide to the flora of Woodlands. I thought this was the perfect chance to explain the […] Read more

Trees: Hawthorn

Posted on 25th June 202125th June 2021 in Trees

Trees: Hawthorn is another blog inspired by my illustrations for “The Tree Forager” by Adele Nozedar, recently published by Watkins. It’s inspired me to have a look at a few of my favourite trees. The Hawthorn is another in this series, along side the Sycamore and the Oak. Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna is one of the commonest […] Read more

Foraging with Kids Illustrations

Posted on 29th November 201814th January 2019 in Current projects and news

Foraging with Kids has recently hit the bookshops. It’s written by Adele Nozedar, and illustrated by yours truly. It’s a project I’m proud to have collaborated on. Foraging with Kids Illustrations All the botanical illustrations were in pen and ink. The art directors and I agreed that simple line drawings would work well. These would be clear […] Read more

Drawing for beginners: Learning plants

Posted on 5th October 201814th January 2019 in Illustration techniques

I was recently asked to write a few words about how drawing plants helps you to learn about them for a lovely new book I’ve illustrated, and how even if you’re not confident, or have never tried drawing from life before, turning your hand to a bit of basic botanical illustration can be very worthwhile. […] Read more

Illustrate and forage: Eat what you paint!

Posted on 20th May 201619th December 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Recently I took an edible plants identification chart I’d done the natural history illustrations for on a walk, to test it out with friends. I’ve written blogs on foraging before as it’s something I do a fair amount of, but this “road test” of one of my i.d. charts was a first. FSC Guide to Edible Plants On a forage for […] Read more

Illustrations for Foraging for Edible Plants Chart

Posted on 8th April 201618th December 2018 in Current projects and news

I’ve recently been working on natural history illustrations for The Field Studies Councils publications department. They appear on a fold out chart of edible British plants which has only just come out. I’m delighted with the result. They’ve used my illustrations beautifully, and the way the information is included is innovative and clear. Finding reference Despite it being November […] Read more

Step by step illustration of a Wild Strawberry

Posted on 18th December 201518th December 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

One of the botanical illustrations I’ve been asked to paint as a natural history illustrator, is the Wild Strawberry . This will be one of the plants featured on a fold-out identification chart of Edible British Plants produced by the Field Studies Council. There’s also a 2 minute Youtube film of this illustration being completed online, in time […] 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

Foraging with Adele Nozedar

Posted on 2nd October 201517th June 2022 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Despite supplying botanical illustrations for the natural history foraging classic “Hedgerow Handbook” by Adele Nozedar, and doing events together (such as at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales) I’d never had the chance to go foraging with her…until Monday. Cover of “The Hedgerow Handbook” by Adele Nozedar (illustrated by me) A beautiful sunny autumn afternon saw a large group […] 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

Edible Plants and Botanical Illustration

Posted on 8th April 201314th November 2018 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

The winter has crept into spring, and it’s only now that that the woodland plants I associate with the beginning of the new year are beginning to appear. It’s a time to get drawing, and eating edible plants. Many of the common British wild plants can be eaten raw, or cooked; and some are truly […] Read more

Botanical illustration of hawthorn berries y Lizzie with her paintbox

Step by step Botanical illustration of Hawthorn berries

Posted on 1st January 201317th October 2018 in Botanical Illustration step by step

In this blog I’ve broken down the steps involved in painting the berries of the Hawthorn Craetegus monogyna. This approach works just as well for any red shiny berry, although you’ll need to take care with what hue of red you mix. The real secret to getting these berries looking properly shiny is to ensure you […] Read more