insect Archives - Lizzie Harper

Butterflies of Bentham Sand dunes

Posted on 13th November 2020 in Current projects and news

Several butterflies are included in the recent landscape illustration completed for South Devon Area of Natural Beauty. This blog will discuss each species, and links to my earlier blog on the wildlife and plants of Bentham bay sand dunes. Clouded Yellow The Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus, travels to Britain every year from southern Europe and Africa. […] Read more

Natural History Illustration of a Chironomid Midge

Posted on 4th August 20179th January 2019 in Current projects and news

I recently was commissioned to complete a natural history entomological illustration for an expert in fossilized midges at the Natural History Museum in London, as a surprise retirement present. Studying Chironomid midges The recipient is Steve Brooks, who examines the fossilized heads of non-biting midges (Chironomids) to examine climate change through time. For an overview of his […] 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

Natural History Illustration: Insect anatomy

Posted on 15th January 20157th December 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

Insects are my favourite creatures. I love illustrating them in my natural science commissions. Here’s a brief overview of the parts of any insect which should help anyone doing entomological illustration. Insect overview Insects are invertebrates; they sport an external skeleton rather than internal bones. Their limbs are jointed, they’re cold-blooded, have six legs and […] Read more

life cycle, cycles, adult, larva, natural history illustration, natural science illustration,

Scientific Illustration: Life Cycles

Posted on 16th August 201321st November 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Often, commissions come in calling for a natural history illustration of entire life cycles of an animal. Although these are challenging, they’re one of my favourite jobs as it’s vital to include all the stages asked for and to make the image work well in terms of composition; a perfect blend of zoological knowledge and […] 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