An experienced natural history and botanical illustrator, Lizzie’s work appears in books and magazines around the world, on postage stamps and mugs.
She lives very happily in Hay on Wye, and works her garden studio surrounded by plants and birds.
Finding out what I’m working on,
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Just been sent a lovely book on landscape painting, with step by step projects published by @quartobooksuk.
Its called "Painting landscapes: Connect to calm through the beauty of watercolour", by @inga.buive
They`ve also sent me an exciting set of brushes to try, made by @fuumuuibrushes_official
I`m yet to try the brushes or one of Inga`s projects, but am looking forward to doing both, not least because I`m rubbish at landscape painting, and need all the advice and posh equipment I can get!
If youre tempted to try the brushes yourself, Fuumuui have offered a 20% off code for my lovely followers: INGA20.
Hope to update this once Ive had the chance to try the brushes.
Ah, the perks of being an illustrator. Freebies! I love it. Thanks Quarto!
Just been sent a lovely book on landscape painting, with step by step projects published by @quartobooksuk.
Its called "Painting landscapes: Connect to calm through the beauty of watercolour", by @inga.buive
They`ve also sent me an exciting set of brushes to try, made by @fuumuuibrushes_official
I`m yet to try the brushes or one of Inga`s projects, but am looking forward to doing both, not least because I`m rubbish at landscape painting, and need all the advice and posh equipment I can get!
If youre tempted to try the brushes yourself, Fuumuui have offered a 20% off code for my lovely followers: INGA20.
Hope to update this once Ive had the chance to try the brushes.
Ah, the perks of being an illustrator. Freebies! I love it. Thanks Quarto!
This is the Polka dot wasp moth Syntomeida epilais, also known as the Oleander moth.
Mates are attracted when the female emits vibrations which are carried through the stems of the plants she sits on.
The yellow caterpillars with their (harmless) long black setae feed voraciously on Oleander and Desert rose. This species is found across the Caribbean and South America.
The illustration was completed for the National Trust of Montserrat, & UKOTCF. It`s used in a colouring book, in a section about patterns in nature.
#polkadotwaspmoth #syntomeida #oleandermoth #sciart #naturalhistoryillustration naturalscienceillustration paintingnature
I illustrated this pair of Antillean crested hummingbirds Orthorhyncus cristatus for Montserrat National Trust and UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum
They`ve been used in a lovely educational booklet called "Montserrat`s Biodiversity Rainbow", which has an accompanying black and white version for colouring-in.
They`re also on a handout about vertebrae pollinators on the island.
I love seeing my work in context, and I`m really pleased with this project.
Trying to capture the glittery plumage of these beautiful little birds was a challenge, it`s all about trying to get a sharp contrast between the highlights and shadows.
Sometimes I enjoy putting a gentle narrative into my illustrations, in this case it amused me to make sure that the female was utterly oblivious to the male`s exuberant display.
#hummingbird #montserrat #naturalhistoryillustration #sciart #naturalscienceillustration
Here`s another of the illustrations I did of Montserrat wildlife. This is the Green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas.
The pattern of the shell is tough to try and capture. Lots of layers of paint, and treating each scute individually.
We saw two of these beauties when we were snorkelling on our visit to Montserrat last year, they looked so elegant as they swam away into the gloom.
#turtle #seaturtle #naturalscienceillustration #sciart #montserrat
I quite often get asked how I got to be a botanical illustrator, and this short film of me talking to camera sets out to explain:
https://youtu.be/KALAt7xaiE8?si=Z9pTRoaA3LrZ_O9r
I cover how I got into being a freelance natural history illustrator as a career, discusses my education and some of my favourite jobs, covers how to work with clients, a bit on copyright and self promotion, and explains why I reckon I`ve got the best job ever.
Hope if you`re keen to do something similar, or even if you just love drawing and painting the natural world, that there might be some useful stuff in amongst.
#naturalscienceillustration #sciart #botanicalillustration #naturalhistoryillustration #illustration
This is the Lettuce seaslug Elysia crispata, found in the Caribbean. Completed sciart illustration for Montserrat national trust, one version in watercolour, one in pen and ink. It`ll be used in educational materials by local schools and by the National trust.
Blue is unusual in nature, so working on such an insanely glorious animal was, of course, a massive treat. The fact that it is also green and spotty, covered in blue frills, and has pink flushed tentacles did nothing to dampen my ardour for this amazing coral reef invertebrate.
#naturalhistoryillustration #sealettuce #seaslug #elysiacrispata #coralreef
Spent the day illustrating this St. Cecelia apple for a commission.
#Apples are some of the toughest things to #illustrate, I struggle with the waxy shine and depth of colour. This time its gone ok.
And now....I can eat them!
