fungi Archives - Lizzie Harper

Spotted Plants and Fungi

Posted on 20th November 202323rd August 2024 in Patterns in nature

Spotted plants and fungi is one of a series of blogs on patterns, follow the links for an overview of pattern, more on stripes, leaf variegation, and a step by step of a variegated geranium leaf. How are spots formed? Spots in plants are caused by areas of darker pigmentation, usually red anthocyanins. Plants sometimes […] Read more

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

Fungal treats at Cusop Churchyard

Posted on 3rd February 2023 in Current projects and news

Fungal subjects always make my heart sing, so I was really pleased when three turned up in a recent species list I’ve been working on for Cusop Churchyard. Not only were these three species new to me, but one is considered extremely rare! British earthstar Geastrum britannicum The British earthstar is one of a family […] Read more

Trees: Birch

Posted on 20th January 2023 in Trees

Birch trees: The Silver and the Downy Birch There are two main Birch trees in the UK, the Silver birch Betula pendula and the Downy birch Betula pubescens. The Downy birch tends to grow better in wetter areas and in the north. The Silver birch likes drier soils and is often found growing ornamentally […] Read more

Natural History Illustration and Life Long Learning: The Field Studies Council

Posted on 19th October 2022 in Current projects and news, Scientific Illustrator out and about

Natural History Illustration and Life-long learning: Field Studies Council Courses is my blog all about how much I love the FSC courses I attend. And no, they’ve not paid me to wax lyrical, honest! I draw and paint a wide range of different species for publishers, charities, packaging, ad companies, and design agencies. I am […] 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

Guest Blog: Wonderful Fungi

Posted on 31st May 20143rd December 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Scientific illustrators spend time with some pretty inspiring people. This week I asked Dave Prescott from Hereford New Leaf to write a guest blog about his love of all things fungi. I know he’s obsessed as I went on a fungal foray with him in the past… How cool are fungus? Very cool “Check out these beautiful […] Read more

Fungus, lichens, and dragonflies

Posted on 15th October 20123rd December 2018 in Current projects and news

This week has been a treat; although I’ve been working in the studio, I also got to be out in the countryside looking at fungus. First was a day studying Lichen and fungi with Ray Woods, a mycological expert, at Gilfach. Organised by Radnorshire Wildlife Trust; we got to search for fungus, learn about their […] Read more