ornithological illustration Archives

Spotted Flycatcher step by step

Posted on 24th January 202317th February 2023 in Illustration techniques, Zoological step by step

Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata are lovely birds, often overlooked because of their seemingly dull grey and brown plumage. They are one of the species I was recently commissioned to illustrate for a wildlife information board at Cusop churchyard; so I decided to do a step-by-step blog (and accompanying film) of the process. When I illustrate […] Read more

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus natural history illustration by Lizzie Harper

Buzzards, Kites and Kestrels

Posted on 4th March 2022 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Buzzards, kites, and kestrels in a guest blog from a naturalist who lives near me, in Hay on Wye. Stewart Roberts has a fabulous facebook page where he posts his photos of animals and plants, and shares some of his knowledge about nature. He’s been kind enough to write a series of guest blogs for […] Read more

Pied Wagtail Illustration

Posted on 20th December 2019 in Zoological step by step

Pied Wagtail The Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii is a common garden and urban bird here in Wales. I love the way they trot about, wagging their elongate tail up and down and cocking their black-capped heads inquisitively to one side. We have a regular garden visitor who spends a lot of time scampering from […] Read more

Natural History Illustration of the Goshawk

Posted on 8th January 201618th December 2018 in Zoological step by step

After a lot of recent botanical illustration, it was a treat to be commissioned to do an ornithological natural history illustration of the Goshawk Accipiter gentilis for a private client. The Goshawk is a gorgeous bird of prey, and has long been used in falconry. They’re really hard to spot, and are fearsome predators. (A recent and […] Read more

Natural History Illustration: Step by step Parrot

Posted on 13th November 201512th June 2019 in Zoological step by step

As a natural history illustrator, I get asked to do botanical illustration, entomological illustration and recently, to complete an ornithological illustration of the Yellow Headed Amazon Parrot Amazona ochrocephala oratri for a friend, who has one as a pet. Getting reference The first step is always the same, get the reference ready. In this case my client wanted […] Read more

Natural History Illustration: Tits (Paridae)

Posted on 1st May 201512th December 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

This week I thought it might be an idea to look at one family of British birds, the Tits (Paridae). Although I’ve not illustrated all the members of this family yet, I’ve done a fair few, so thought it’d be worth taking a look at each in turn. Tits: Blue tit First up is the […] Read more

Illustration: Step by step Waxwing

Posted on 29th January 20157th December 2018 in Zoological step by step

Science art, natural history illustration, natural science illustrations, botanical drawing; all these terms cover what I do, But this week’s blog is about creating an ornithological illustration, in this case of the Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus. Drawing the Waxwing First step is always to draw up the bird. I wanted to include background, and hoped scarlet and […] Read more

golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria, Pluvialis, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, Yorkshire dales, Yorkshire, scabious, quaking grass, briza, cotton grass, grass, tormentil, pontilla, eriphorum,

Illustrating a Golden Plover in Swaledale

Posted on 11th January 201427th November 2018 in Zoological step by step

Animals in their habitats Many scientific illustrations and botanical and natural history illustrations I do are cut-to-white. However, I often illustrate subjects (like this plover) in their natural habitat. This can be a challenge, but also highly enjoyable. You can put in specific details (such as someone’s home, or a tree they really like). It […] Read more