ivy Archives - Lizzie Harper

Christmas Greenery

Posted on 12th December 201812th December 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Greenery has always been associated with winter and christmas. This blog explores a little of the history surrounding how and why we bring plants like holly, mistletoe and ivy into our homes in the middle of winter. It’s based on notes from a fascinating talk by IAPI. Greenery at Christmas: an overview The history of bringing […] 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

leaf, leaf attachment, flowers, botany, botanical terms, leaves, veins, venation,

Botanical Illustration: Late flowering plants

Posted on 6th December 201326th November 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Winter closes in, and many of the plants I need to illustrate for The Cultivated Forager (follow up to The Hedgerow Handbook, also by Adele Nozedar) are no longer much use as they are bearing neither flowers nor berries. Flowers which are still in bloom However, I was surprised to notice various plants which are most definitely in flower, […] Read more

leaf, leaf attachment, botany, botanical terms, leaves, veins, venation,

Leaf Shape: Margins, Venation and Position

Posted on 1st November 201325th November 2018 in botanical terms

In last week’s blog I discussed simple vs compound leaves and basic leaf shape. This week I tackle margins, different venation patterns, and key ways that leaves are attached to the stem. The terms discussed are in bold text. The examples are all illustrations I’ve done over the years. If you find any mistakes feel free […] Read more

Christmas botanical illustrations

Posted on 19th December 201211th January 2019 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

I’ve not been working this week, it’s the holidays. There are five illustrations outstanding for the Whipsnade Zoo commission, but the deadline isn’t for a fortnight so I’ll have plenty of time to complete them ahead of schedule. Instead, I’ve assembled a variety of seasonal illustrations, done over the years. Christmas plants There are lots […] Read more

Ivy sketchbook scientific illustration and a landscape

Posted on 8th October 201218th October 2018 in Current projects and news

Autumn is well and truly here; with flat yellow leaves on the pavements, tractors hauling trailer-loads of potatoes through town, and windfall apples rotting in the wet grass. Time to do some sketchbook studies. I had a wonderful time with the ivy, getting the depth of the glossy dark greens was really tough, but it […] Read more