#NaturalhistoryIllustration
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lizzie-harper.bsky.social
I'm often asked how I got to be a #botanicalillustrator, & how to start out.

youtu.be/KALAt7xaiE8

This film explains this, my work, passions, how I got here, and how I promote myself.

(Its just me talking to the camera)

#illustration #naturalhistoryillustration #sciart #illustrator
How I became a Botanical & Natural history Illustrator
YouTube video by Lizzie Harper
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 5:01 PM
ariii29.bsky.social
Red belly piranha painting…being done digitally 🖌️✨
#NaturalHistoryIllustration #DigitalArt
January 30, 2026 at 12:37 PM
lizzie-harper.bsky.social
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.

Blue is unusual in nature, so working on such an insanely glorious animal was, of course, a massive treat.
Watercolour #naturalhistoryillustration done #byhand showing the sea slug curving towards the viewer. Its body is green with white spots, the frills are sky blue and froth along it's back, obscuring the main body. At the head end are two furled tentacles, also blue but flushed magenta. Illustration is cut to white. Pen and ink line drawing done by hand of the same subject in the same pose. In effect, a pen tracing of the watercolour. Cut top white. Patterns represented with stippled or dotted lines, edges of body planes with solid black ink lines. Destined to be used for colouring in and e3ducational resources on the island of Montserrat.
January 23, 2026 at 9:46 AM
lsfineart.bsky.social
A WIP of a swallowtail butterfly illustration. Watercolor on paper.

Un travail en cours d’une illustration de papillon machaon. Aquarelle sur papier.

#SciArt #swallowtail #watercolor #painting #naturalhistory #naturalhistoryillustration #butterfly
A WIP of a swallowtail butterfly illustration. Watercolor on paper. Un travail en cours d’une illustration de papillon machaon. Aquarelle sur papier.
January 16, 2026 at 2:43 PM
lizzie-harper.bsky.social
This is the #Bloody-nosedbeetle, #Timarchatenebricosa.

When threatened it exudes a red drop of liquid from its mouth

It has distinctive beaded antennae.Unlike most #beetles, it's flightless

Completed in watercolour for use on #interp & information materials.
#sciart #naturalhistoryillustration
#watercolour #naturalscience #illustration of Bloody-nosed beetle Timarcha tenebricosa, with the beetle seen from the side, pointing to the right. it's exuding a scarlet drop of liquid from it's mouth. The beetle is black with a smooth sheen and is shown in 3/4 view, with 3 legs showing on the near side and only the foot of the back leg visible on the far side. The highlights are painted so tiny black pores from the elytra can be seen in the shiny areas, and in the darkest black areas tiny white dots of gouache are used to suggest the pores on the wing cases.. Feet are comparatively large with each tarsal segment being fringed with grown. The beetle's eye is a chestnut brown.. As with everything I do, this is painted by hand without the aid of AI. It's one of my favourite #UKbeetles, so I was glad when it popped up on the species list commissioned for South Devon National Landscapes. It'll be used on information boards and leaflets, and on interpretation relating to their push to preserve environments beneficial to #insect species.
January 9, 2026 at 11:39 AM
lizzie-harper.bsky.social
New blog out, on #Orchids

lizzieharper.co.uk/2026/01/wild...

It's one of a series I've been doing on wildflower families. Hope it helps!

#naturalhistoryillustration #botanicalart #botanicalillustration #orchidlovers #orchidaceae #wildflowers
Close up of the flowering head of the Jersey orchid showing purple flowers at the tip of a flowering spike Desk with completed watercolour painting of orchid on along with photo reference, my paintbox full of mixes of red paint, a magnifier, a brush and an eraser. The species is a red flowered Early marsh orchid. Part of a labelled pen and ink diagram showing the anatomy of orchid flowers, this mentions the rostellum, perianths, pollinium, column, stigmatic surface, and spur. #sciart Watercolour of a pyramidal orchid with compact head and pale green leaf and stem. The plant is long and thin so much of the image is black background.
January 4, 2026 at 12:18 PM
lizzie-harper.bsky.social
The #Plymouth #anole #lizard #Anolislividus

It's another #sciart #watercolor #illustration completed for #Montserrat National Trust educational materials (the #penandink to be used in colouring books)

#naturalhistoryillustration #naturalscienceillustration #madebyhand #NoToAIGeneratedImages
The rainbow coloured Plymouth anole #lizard, found on the #Caribbean island of Montserrat. The head is vivid green with a yellow chin and throat flap, the tail gets bluer and is almost pin and purple at the tip. The lizard has deep orange eyes and very long toes. I saw one scuttle across the path and the colours really were astonishing. This is a cut to white watercolour illustration with the lizard raising its' head slightly and facing right. The tail curls a little and the back foot shows outstretched toes. Pen and ink illustration of the rainbow coloured Plymouth anole lizard. Details of the tecture and markings of the lizard skin are represented with stippled in lines, the main shapes are a solid black ink line. The illustrations is atonal, and destined to be used in a colouring in book. I create these pen and ink illustrations by tracing the watercolour, either using a light box or a desk-mounted projector. Detail of the tail and hind leg of the Plymouth anole. There are a few white spots of the thigh, but the remarkable thing is the way the tail fades from a vivid spring green through teal to turquoise, and the tail tip is a pink magenta. Detail of the head of the Plymouth anole, The individual scales on the edge of the lip are shown, along with white spots of the lizards bright green skin. The eyes and surrounding sockets are a reddish orange, and the throat flap is a bright yellow, The folds in this are clearly visible.
December 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM
ravenala.bsky.social
Heliconia rostrata with visitor. Colored pencil on hot-pressed watercolor paper.
#botanicalart #botanicalillustration #naturalhistoryillustration #coloredpencil #tropicalplants
Colored pencil drawing of a Heliconia rostrata inflorescence with a Gold Dust Day Gecko climbing on it.
December 11, 2025 at 11:39 PM
prasadnatarajan.bsky.social
Wonderful collaboration from fellow artists, happy to be a small contributor in this brilliant art book via @franzanth.bsky.social

Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima) Study!

#sciArt #InverteFest #art #illustration #ink #naturalhistoryillustration #collaboration #penandink
As a kid had an interest in science and used to score about 80 marks most of the time at all class tests and exams. When teachers asked me what I wish to become growing up, there were two options. Either a Scientist or Artist, life got in the way many a time and I couldn’t pursue science in academics. Life got in the way many times and I couldn’t pursue art at college. After the long haul in the IT industry, the decision to make art full time is something I will never regret. Interacting with so many individuals through my workshop teaching them the craft/skill gives me great pleasure. Interacted with Visalia Raj, who is researching on Tiger Beetles for a month long Pen and Ink course. For her final project, did a small demo of Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima), the image is from Visalia. Creating such artworks gives me a sense of begin close to science and art. Something I have always wanted to do ever since my childhood. Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima) Study Medium: Pen on paper Size: 11.7×16.5 inches (29.71×41.91 cms) size; 220GSM Scholar Sketch paper Duration: 4.5 Hours July 28th 2022 Location: Utah, United States Reference: Visalia Raj
December 25, 2024 at 1:36 PM
alexdisaa.bsky.social
I did this one 2011-2012 ; I've loved the the background (Still). however the killer whale back then not so much, so I decided last year the orca needed a redo, but kept the BG.

#orca #killerwhale #cetacean #marinewildlife #marinemammals #illustration #wildlifeart #naturalhistoryillustration
December 2, 2024 at 3:49 AM
lostmirror.bsky.social
Not dark yet, but it’s getting there…

• Northern Cardinal, one minute after sunset, January 4, 2025.

#birds
#birdart
#raptor
#flight
#cardinal
#birdwatching
#birding
#birdsinflight
#naturalhistoryillustration
#natureartist
#naturephotography
Northern Cardinal, one minute after sunset, January 4, 2025.
January 5, 2025 at 12:19 AM
hannahvarelaillo.bsky.social
An illustration I created a few months back of a little Curlew family as a entry for
@CurlewAction World Curlew Day art competition, it was a super fun piece to create.
#illustration #art #painting #sketch #curlew #bird #naturalhistoryillustration #visdev #design #kidlit #kidlitart #characterdesign
July 15, 2024 at 5:27 PM
circadiancrunch.bsky.social
1 of 3 small paintings in the works. I keep thinking of them as a tiny triptych, just little coyote portraits.

2's almost done and then it'll be onto 3.

#wildlifeart #art #coyote #naturalhistoryillustration #mojavedesert
August 12, 2023 at 6:13 PM
prasadnatarajan.bsky.social
1/3 Hump-backed mahseer (Tor remadevii) from Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. It is always an overwhelming experience to work live and and
#SundayFishSketch #fishmas #Art #SciArt #ArtAdventCalendar #traditionalart #indianwildlifeartist #naturalhistoryillustration #endangeredspecies #artforconservation
It is always an overwhelming experience to work live and share your art-making process with the audience. Working in the studio alone most of the time, there are lots of trials and errors unseen by anyone. However, when we go online live with some of the best science brains around the globe, it is nerve racking experience. Glad to pull it off online on this 4-hour conference. Here is the demo work from the “Rivers of Life” hosted by Azim Premji University in association with Musheer Trust on Friday 4th November 2022. It was wonderful to be part of the 4 hours marathon with speakers from around the globe hosted by Steve Lockett. Hump-backed mahseer is India's Critically Endangered species of freshwater fish. You may watch the session online from here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v2kYtbaCwM Hump-backed mahseer (Tor remadevii)! Medium: Ink on paper Size: 16.5x11.7 inches (41.91x29.71 cms) size; Scholar sketch pack (220 GSM) A3 Duration: 6.5 Hours November 9th, 2022 Location: Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, India Reference: Multiple Reference Images
December 22, 2024 at 9:12 AM
carolinamcorreia.bsky.social
“Finger Bones” ~ 2019 | watercolour on Arches paper

Curiosity Cabinet - Dancing Falanges

Painted in 2019 for a college assignment.

#naturedrawing #watercolour #drawing #scientificillustration #naturalhistoryillustration #gothic #boneart #illustrationwork #curiositycabinet
January 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
prasadnatarajan.bsky.social
Heading out for my sketching event with participants at Kokkare Belluru Bird Sanctuary.
Page from my Sketchbook
1/2 Black-crowned night heron
#art #nature #birds #illustration #sciart #indianwildlifeartist #ink #illustration #artforconservation #naturalhistoryillustration #sketchbook #birdart
Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) standing on one leg on a tree stump, few leaves around the tree stump. Japanese bamboo brush. Page from my Sketchbook! Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and her juvenile from Kokkare Belluru Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka, India. Another species whose population is slowly decreasing. It is interesting to watch the juvenile’s hiding in the tree branches and venture out only when their parents are near them. Here the juvenile just came out for a few seconds before returning to the thickets. It is a joy to watch the patterns on their wings and such behaviors. Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) Title: Penance_46! Medium: Ink on paper Size: 8.1/4 x 11.1/2 inches (20.5 x 28.1 cms) size; 120 GSM Scholar sketchbook Duration: 6 hours January 20th, 2025 Reference: Own Image Location: Kokkare Belluru Bird Sanctuary, Maddur taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka, India
January 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
lizzie-harper.bsky.social
This African #Malaria #mosquito #Anopheles gambiae #lifecycle #naturalhistoryillustration is my offering for #artadventcalendar day 23.

Self initiated project illustrating one of the most common vectors of malaria in Africa. I love the change between unfed and fed mosquitoes. Amazing.

#sciart #🐡
African Malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae life cycle sciart #entomology #illustration in watercolour by Lizzie Harper African Malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae close up of feeding mouthparts detail of a larger sciart #entomology #illustration in watercolour by Lizzie Harper African Malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae close up of abdomen exctreting excess water during a blood meal detail of a larger sciart #entomology #illustration in watercolour by Lizzie Harper African Malaria mosquito pupa, hanging just below the water surface, close up of a detail of a larger sciart #entomology #illustration in watercolour by Lizzie Harper
December 23, 2024 at 9:47 AM
prasadnatarajan.bsky.social
Few in-progress images and details for your reference of the Eurasian thick-knee. Feel free to share!
#SciArt #birds #pen #ink #birdart #wildlife #ornithology #penandink #endangeredspecies #naturalhistoryillustration #india #inprogress
Few in-progress images and details for your reference of the Eurasian thick-knee.
November 27, 2024 at 7:59 AM
romanceofbooks.bsky.social
Chromolithograph and wood engravings of bats from the 1882-84 edition of the German natural history series ‘Brehms Thierleben.’

#chromolithograph #bats #naturalhistory #naturalhistoryillustration #scientificillustration #batart #sciart
October 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
heidarafns.bsky.social
Sometimes one of these visits my studio. Harmless and always very welcome😌
Evening's couch sketch.

Common rough woodlouse (Porcellio scaber)

#naturalhistory #drawinganimals #naturalhistoryillustration
February 28, 2025 at 10:53 PM
romanceofbooks.bsky.social
Beetles from ‘Zoologischer Hand-Atlas zum Schulgebrauch und Selbstunterricht’ by German Zoologist Hermann Burmeister. Second edition. Published in Berlin, Druck und Verlag von Georg Reimer, 1860. From my personal collection.

#naturalhistoryillustration #beetles #coleoptera #insectart
March 27, 2025 at 2:30 AM
ginkgobug.bsky.social
Kicking off the old art posting with a linocut piece I did in 2022! It's a sand mullet (Myxus elongatus), a common species in the area where my mum lives!

#art #artistonbsky #linocut #printmaking #naturalhistoryillustration #sciart #natureart #animalart #fishart
A linocut artwork of a fish, printed in blue and blue-black ink.
October 22, 2024 at 3:47 PM
esthervanhulsen.bsky.social
While visiting the UK, I saw this adorable young Canada goose, so I made a watercolor study in my @steamline journal
www.esthervanhulsen.com

#watercolorbirds #naturejournal #animalart #wildlifeart #animalpainting #steamline #birdart #naturalhistoryillustration #naturalhistoryart #birdsketches
An open sketchbook, on the pages is a watercolor studie of a baby Canada goose laying in the grass, its head bent over its back to look at something in the graas besides it. There are some pressed flowers and plants on the pages as well. Around the book are brushes, leafs and part of a palette visible
June 1, 2025 at 1:27 PM
prasadnatarajan.bsky.social
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) in breeding plumage from Hoskote Lake, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
1/3 Throwback: Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill Magazine: April–June 2016
#sciart #birds #watercolor #illustration #birdart #artforconservation #naturalhistoryillustration #art #bird
Little Grebe a bird in his breeding plumage seen during monsoon season. Reflection of the Little Grebe seen on the water surface. Throwback: Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill Magazine: April–June 2016-Wildlife Artists Special Issue is honoring the late Carl d'Silva nature artist from Goa and featuring wildlife artists from all over India and I am happy to be part of that issue with other fellow nature artists. Good memories! One of the artworks featured in that interview. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) Medium: Watercolor and Ink on paper Size: 8.3 x 11.7 inches, 220 GSM,Paper Duration: 12 hours Location: Hoskote Lake, Bangalore, Karnataka, India December 13th, 2015 Reference image: Own Image Sold: Private Collector
January 5, 2025 at 12:32 PM
carolinamcorreia.bsky.social
“Mauve Flower” ~ 2018 | watercolour on Arches paper

Painted in 2018 for a course assignment.

#botanicalart #flowerpainting #botanicalartist #herbarium #mauve #natureart #watercolour #naturalhistoryillustration
January 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM