pen and ink Archives - Lizzie Harper

deocration, natural history for decoration,

Trees: Scots pine Pinus sylvestris

Posted on 9th February 202422nd March 2024 in Trees

Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris Scots pine is one of a series of blogs I’m writing on common British trees. You can also see blogs on the Elder, the Yew, the Ash, the Oak, the Holly, the Sycamore, the Rowan, the Hawthorn, the Birch, the Lime, and the Beech. The Scots pine is one of only […] Read more

leaf, leaves, leaf shape, compound leaves, simple leaves, botany, botany terms,

Trees: Small-leaved lime or Linden

Posted on 17th November 202317th November 2023 in Trees

Small-leaved lime Tilia cordata and other Lime or Linden trees This is one of a series of blogs I’m writing on common British trees. You can also see blogs on the Elder, the Yew, the Ash, the Oak, the Holly, the Sycamore, the Rowan, the Hawthorn, the Birch and the Beech. There are 10 […] 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

Trees: Beech

Posted on 21st October 20229th December 2022 in Trees

Introduction Beech trees are common across Britain, favouring chalky soils. The oldest Beech trees live up to 400 years. You’ll find them in open spaces and in woodland and can tell them straight away by their smooth bark. The trees produce beech mast which is nutritious for animals, and the canopy supports wildlife. Beech wood […] 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

Rocky shore ecosystem illustration

Posted on 31st July 20222nd August 2022 in Current projects and news

Rocky shore ecosystem: a lucky break I recently illustrated The Hidden Universe by Alexandre Antonelli. This image of the zonation of a rocky shore ecosystem was one of the illustrations. The timing of this illustration was an extraordinary stroke of luck. Alex wanted a drawing that shows the different animals and seaweeds on rocky […] Read more

Botanical illustration from the Brecknockshire Flora

Trees: Yew

Posted on 11th May 202220th May 2022 in Trees

Trees: Yew 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 Yew tree Taxus baccata is the seventh in this series, along side the Sycamore, Ash, Hawthorn, Rowan, Elder and the Oak. The Yew […] Read more

The Hidden Universe: Pen and Ink Illustrations

Posted on 22nd April 2022 in Current projects and news

The Hidden Universe by Alexandre Antonelli is a short and powerful book. I was asked to provide pen and ink illustrations, and had the absolute luxury of reading the whole book before lifting a pencil. This may not sound unusual to you, but in all the years I’ve been illustrating books, it’s only the fourth […] Read more

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

The Treeline – Book Illustrations

Posted on 4th February 20224th February 2022 in Current projects and news, Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

The Treeline: The last forest and the future of life on earth by Ben Rawlence is an exploration of the arboreal forests than encircle the globe. These are already being massively altered and changed by the climate emergency. It has just been published, in January 2022. I was lucky enough to be asked to do […] Read more

Cowberry original watercolour illustration for sale

Cannock Chase Museum: Exploring botany

Posted on 30th October 202130th October 2021 in Scientific Illustrator out and about

Cannock Chase Museum: Botany Cannock Chase museum was our destination on a recent field trip with the wonderful group IAPI (Institute for Analytical Plant illustration). The Chase is in the West Midlands, near Birmingham. The museum is a treasure trove of information about the area’s coal mining past, history of breeding racehorses, role as a […] Read more

Blueberry: step by step Pen and Ink illustration

Posted on 15th October 2021 in Botanical Illustration step by step

I recently completed a blueberry illustration for a packaging job, and thought it’d be the perfect opportunity to give a quick explanation of how I illustrate shiny dark fruit in pen and ink. Drawing blueberries Coming up with the initial drawing was tricky. it had to fit the layout of the product’s box, and the […] Read more

Illustrations for “30 animals that made us smarter”

Posted on 27th August 202127th August 2021 in Current projects and news

A recent commission saw me completing pen and ink illustrations for “30 animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Aryee. This fabulous book is based on the BBC World service podcast, and focuses on biomimicry. Biomimicry is when us humans investigate the marvels of nature, and learn and innovate from these discoveries. Mosquito mouthparts lead […] Read more

Step by step Downy Birch leaves

Posted on 9th July 20219th July 2021 in Botanical Illustration step by step

This blog shows how to ink up the Downy Birch leaves and catkins, Betula pubescens. It accompanies a Youtube film which you can watch, to fill in the details. Starting out Begin with a decent pencil illustration of your subject. No need for any shading or tonal detail, but an accurate line pencil drawing is required. […] 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

A Life on Our Planet – Working with Sir David Attenborough

Posted on 5th March 202124th March 2021 in Current projects and news

A Life on Our Planet, David Attenborough’s recent book, is extremely important. In it, he not only details the ways in which mankind has altered and damaged our world; but also tries to suggest positives, and ways we can help save our home planet before it’s too late. Cover of “A Life on Our Planet” […] Read more

Ladybug entomological illustration by Lizzie Harper

Equipment: How to Choose a Waterproof Pen and Ink for Watercolour

Posted on 23rd December 202023rd December 2020 in Illustration Equipment

Equipment: How to Choose a Waterproof Pen and Ink for Watercolour is a guest blog from KT of Goldspot pen shop. Ink and watercolour is a classic, intriguing combination that creates some really amazing effects when accomplished with the right tools. Black outlines define a beautiful watercolour painting that jumps off the page! Fig illustration […] Read more

Pen and Ink Illustrations of Trees

Posted on 11th October 201924th February 2022 in Illustration techniques, Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

The Living Wisdom of Trees: Commission In the summer, I completed more than a hundred pen and ink illustrations of trees for “The Living Wisdom of Trees” by Fred Hageneder. The commission involved illustrating 54 species of fully grown tree, along with details such as blossom, leaves, or fruit. Illustrating the botanical details was […] Read more

Pen and Ink Illustrations of Tree Details

Posted on 11th October 201911th October 2019 in Illustration techniques, Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

The Living Wisdom of Trees: Commission In the summer, I completed lots of pen and ink illustrations of trees and their details for “The Living Wisdom of Trees” by Fred Hageneder. The commission involved illustrating fully grown trees, along with details specific to each species such as blossom, leaves, or fruit. I’ve written a […] 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

Pen and Ink Techniques – Colour

Posted on 26th April 201327th November 2018 in Illustration techniques

Last week’s blog explained the importance of pen and ink techniques to scientific illustration, and showed how to use line and stippling. This week explains how to use colour with pen and ink illustrations. Introducing colour to pen and ink Sometimes monochrome illustrations can feel gloomy, but the commissioner still needs accurate line illustrations. A good […] Read more

Scientific Illustration: Pen and Ink Techniques

Posted on 18th April 201314th November 2018 in Illustration techniques

As a scientific illustrator, you need to be able to feel confident using pen and ink. Often pen and ink is the best medium for a diagram as it’s exact and clear. Other times, commissioners like the traditional look of pen and ink illustrations. This week and next week’s blogs are an overview of […] Read more

Deer illustrations, watercolours, ducks, and snow!

Posted on 21st January 201318th October 2018 in Current projects and news

Tweaking the Deer illustrations There were some alterations required on the Whipsnade Zoo finals, oh the joys of process white gouache. Here are the “before and after” shots; see if you can tell what’s been changed… For more on this job, check out my blogs on the deer, the mara, and painting a hog deer. […] Read more