Unearthing the Enigma: Japanese Knotweed’s unstoppable march is a guest blog written by Matt from Japanese Knotweed Removal Specialists, JKSL  For more on Japanese knotweed, including blogs discussing my illustrations of the plant, a step by step sketchbook study, and comparing it to other knotweeds, please check out my earlier blogs.  You could also buy an original illustration  or sketchbook study of the plant. As ever, I want to point out that invasive species are not intrinsically “bad”, but are extremely successful plants.  And it is entirely our fault that they a ..read more

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 your own photos is that you don’t infringe anyone’s copyright. My own photo of a young male Red deer buck However, there are various aspects that make this photo far from perfect.  The “mane” at the throat is not pronounced.  The colour is very washed out.  I can’t see the hooves in detail.  So ..read more

There are six species of thrush regularly seen in Britain.  Some are year round residents while others overwinter here, often in large flocks.  All are members of the Turdidae family of birds.   Turdidae have over 60 species living on every continent on the globe except for Antarctica and Australasia.  All our thrushes are a similar size (20 – 25 cm long) and are generalist feeders.  They are monogamous and some mate for life. Song thrush The Song thrush Turdus philomelos can live in the UK year round or migrate from northern Europe.  It is neatly proportione ..read more

Paul Rubens artist level YouLan series of solid watercolours is a set of 24 paints in half pans aimed at both amateur and professional artists.  I sometimes get asked to trial products by art material manufacturers, so I was pleased to have the chance to give these paints a try. In exchange for my free paint box, I’ve been asked to make an honest Youtube film review and accompanying blog.  I like freebies, and I like trying new things, so I happily agreed.  I impressed on them that I am extremely honest in my reviews, and they were willing to take that risk.  (If you want t ..read more

Geranium Variegated leaf step by step I love geraniums, and am especially fond of the variegated leaves some types have with their circles of cream, green, and red. I think a geranium like this one is my favourite house plants which shows leaf variegation. Ninety percent of all wild geraniums come from South Africa, and they’re hardy plants (although frost can kill them). There are loads of different types available from garden centres, and those whose leaves are striped with white and red areas are called Zonal geraniums (or Pelargoniums).  However, it’s tricky to tell geraniums and pela ..read more

Flower Shapes: Symbolism and Cultural Significance guest blog by Nina James Summer Flower shapes matter, culturally as well as botanically.  According to the 2016 Generations of Flowers Study 60% of Americans believe a gift of flowers has a special meaning.  This is unlike any other gift.  Many associate different colours with different meanings.   Red roses convey romance, for example.  However, the shape of different flowers carries significant meaning in various cultures around the world. Illustration works to bring delicate shapes and details to life. Understa ..read more

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 three native UK conifers, along with the Yew and the Juniper.  It grows wild in heathland and in the Caledonian pine forests of the Scottish Highlands, although only 1% of these remain.  About 7000 years ago it was the commonest tree in Britain but suffered when the climate got wetter and war ..read more

Researching a wildflower involves gathering information on the anatomy, distinguishing characteristics, family, and appearance of a plant.  The first stage is to know about the plant you are illustrating.  Feel free to use the English name, but do all research using the Latin or scientific name.  This avoids confusion as some plants are called different names depending on where you are, even within countries.  For more on scientific nomenclature, check out my earlier blogs, What’s in a name part 1 and part 2. Researching a wildflower: Botany Most of the flowers I illustrate ..read more

Stripes Stripes are seen across the animal and plant kingdoms.  Although the first stiped animals you think of may be zebra and tigers, there are lots of striped beetles, snakes, birds, and loads of stripy fish. Stripes for Camouflague Stripes are a brilliant way of providing camouflage.  They break up the edges of an organism, making it harder to see against the background.  A baby tapir, rootling in the scrub of a forest will be almost invisible as patches of sunlight and dark shadow fall on its’ back.  If you see one in a different environment its’ stripes seem startling ..read more

Watercolour paint choice is very personal, and everyone will have their own favourite colours.  I have recently been giving the matter more thought as I try to simplify equipment lists for students, and thought I’d share my paint box with you. My paint box in use I also made a guide to the colours I use which was a first.  I have been painting for 30 years and it is only now I have felt inclined to produce a (surprisingly useful) colour chart of the contents of my paint box.  Old dog new tricks, anyone? My paintbox alongside my guide Below is the guide so you can see what stor ..read more