pinnate Archives - Lizzie Harper

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

Habit sketch of Cow parsley: step by step

Posted on 26th November 202126th November 2021 in Botanical Illustration step by step

Habit sketches are an important aspect of doing botanical illustrations. They need to show an entire plant, and suggest how it grows within its environment. This one of the Cow parsley, Anthriscus sylvatica, was recently done for FOR in Sweden. It accompanied a large sheet of sketches of the same plant. To learn more about […] Read more

Cow Parsley: All about an Umbellifer

Posted on 12th November 20211st July 2024 in Botany: Telling species apart, Current projects and news

Cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris was on the list of plants I recently illustrated for FOR Sweden. These plants are invasive in Scandinavia, and particularly troublesome in Iceland. Sketchbook studies All the botanical illustrations I do for FOR are in a sketchbook format. I love working this way; it gives me the opportunity to include tons […] Read more

Illustrating Bracken and Ferns

Posted on 6th August 20218th May 2023 in botanical terms, Illustration techniques, Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Illustrating bracken and ferns may seem to be a really difficult job. However, the challenge lies in the drawing, not in adding the colour. I recently completed an illustration of Bracken Pteridium aquilinum for a forthcoming Field Studies Council Guide to the flora of Woodlands. I thought this was the perfect chance to explain the […] Read more

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

Botanical Illustration: Compound and Simple leaves

Posted on 25th October 201324th November 2018 in Biological terminology: Definitions

I’ve recently completed some botanical illustrations and diagrams of leaves. They’re for for The 21st Century Herbal by Michael Balick. Several illustrations demonstrating different botanical terms for leaf shape were required. Reasons why botanical terminology helps I think knowing what variety exists in nature helps you to understand what you’re drawing. So I thought I’d share some botanical terminology […] Read more