work in progress Archives

Red Deer stag step by step

Posted on 14th June 2024 in Zoological step by step

It’s been a while since I did an animal step by step blog, so I thought I’d share a quick one on illustrating this Red deer stag Cervus elaphus. Reference I took a decent photo of a young Red deer stag a long time ago, and based the illustration on this. The advantage of using […] Read more

Great Burnet Step by Step

Posted on 25th August 2023 in Botanical Illustration step by step

Recently, I’ve illustrated the Great Burnet, Sanguisorba officinalis for an interpretation board, to be cited on Jubilee Pasture, in Bugthorpe, Yorkshire. This blog is a step by step explanation of the process. For step by steps of other botanical subjects, please click here, and visit my Youtube channel for real-time films of me illustrating plants […] Read more

Orchid Botanical Illustration Step by step

Posted on 5th May 202315th June 2023 in Botanical Illustration step by step, Current projects and news

Orchids have always been a bit of a mystery to me, so when I was confronted by the Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp coccinea my heart did not leap. It’s one of 13 plants I’m illustrating for a wildflower identification guide to the Braunton Burrows sand dunes system which will be published by FSC Publications. […] Read more

Botanical illustration of hawthorn berries y Lizzie with her paintbox

Equipment: Paintbrushes

Posted on 10th September 20218th May 2023 in Illustration Equipment, Illustration techniques, Testing Synthetic Watercolour brushes

Equipment: Paintbrushes is another in the series about what tools I use when I illustrate; so feel free to check out my earlier blogs on what watercolour paper to use, the guest blog on waterproof inks, watercolour paints, pencils and erasers, and another on what science stuff you might need. Paintbrushes As with all of […] 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

Equipment: Pencils & Erasers

Posted on 19th March 2021 in Illustration Equipment

This is another blog in the series on equipment used. Check out earlier blogs on Waterproof inks, Watercolour papers, Paints and look out for one I’ll soon be publishing on brushes. Personal Preference As mentioned before, choosing your equipment can be quite a personal choice. We develop loyalty to brands and types of drawing tool […] Read more

Equipment: Paints

Posted on 19th February 202119th March 2021 in Illustration Equipment, Illustration techniques

Equipment: Paints is another in my series about materials and equipment used for creating botanical and natural history illustrations. Check out my blogs on which watercolour paper to use, pencils and erasers, and a review of waterproof inks. Future blogs in this series will include one on my paintbrush of choice, one on science stuff […] Read more

Step by Step Rowan berry

Posted on 10th February 201912th February 2019 in Botanical Illustration step by step

If you’re doing a botanical illustration of a cluster of fruit, the first thing to do is figure out how to tackle one lone berry. In this case, it’s the beautiful bright orange Rowan berry that’s under the spotlight. I have a Rowan, or Mountain ash tree in my garden. Not only do the clusters […] Read more

Step by Step Barn Swallow

Posted on 14th January 2019 in Zoological step by step

Illustrating birds is always wonderful. When it’s for a friend, is a bird you love, and when you have specimens to work from, it’s even better. Pencil roughs As always, the first step in a natural history illustration is to source your reference material and draw up a pencil sketch. I do this directly onto […] Read more

Illustrating a Cross section of Hay Meadow

Posted on 31st July 201814th January 2019 in Current projects and news

I had a wonderful natural history illustration commission recently, for BBC Countryfile Magazine. Their article in the June 2018 issue, “The Secret Life of the Hay Meadow” by Phil Gates , needed an image of a cross-section through a busy and idealised hay meadow. They also needed a selection of grasses commonly found in hay meadows. I […] Read more

Field Vole step by step illustration

Posted on 28th June 201811th January 2019 in Zoological step by step

A recent natural history illustration commission was to paint a Short-tailed or Field vole (Microtus agrestis). This natural science illustration is for an information board to be erected in a nature reserve. Illustrating voles I’ve painted voles before, and I’ll be brutally honest and acknowledge that these illustrations have been far from my best. Voles […] Read more

Pansy step by step sketchbook study

Posted on 10th May 201811th January 2019 in Botanical Illustration step by step

Pansies and violas are one of the loveliest garden plants to study through botanical illustration; they’re also common, affordable, and quite easy to paint. This blog will talk you through the basic steps in completing a sketchbook study of a viola or pansy. For lots more of my botanical illustration step by steps, click here. […] Read more

Natural History Illustration: Wildlife garden

Posted on 23rd September 201630th October 2019 in Current projects and news

A recent natural history illustration job for the North Yorkshire Dales National Park involved painting two large landscapes for use on a desk at Malham Cove visitor centre. The first landscape was of Malham Cove, the second was of birds commonly seen in the garden at the visitor centre. Pencil rough As always, the first step is to get […] 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

Step by step Salmonberry watercolour painting

Posted on 18th December 200113th September 2019 in Botanical Illustration step by step

One of the loveliest plants I had to paint for FSC Publications latest chart on invasive species is the Salmonberry, Rubus spectabliis. I’d not seen this plant before, and was amazed by the big pink flowers, and the striking similarity to blackberry and raspberry. Not surprisingly, I tackled painting the berries in a similar way. Pencil […] Read more