Description
Book SynopsisThis beautiful book combines the author’s extensive ecological knowledge with art, and her passion for drawing with ink. It is packed with clear instruction and inspirational illustrations, and will be treasured by artists, illustrators, scientists and ecologists alike. Practical advice is given on using a range of materials and equipment for illustrating in pen and ink, as well as the collection and preservation of subject matter and reference material. Detailed instruction is given on how to create essential mark-making techniques that will enhance your illustrations through accurate depiction of shape, form, texture and pattern, and in the principles and elements of design. Subject-themed chapters include plants, strandline and marine specimens, fossils, invertebrates, and mammals. There are step-by-step exercises suitable for all skill levels, and case studies describing working practice as a professional illustrator.
Trade ReviewThis utterly comprehensive guide covers, as its title suggests, not just animals but birds, plants, insects and invertebrates as well as ancillary items such as feathers, nests and egg cases. If you’re serious about drawing wildlife in all its forms, you won’t do better. -- Henry Malt - The Artist reviewer * The Artist *
A book by a well educated and very experienced natural history illustrator who writes extremely well - and it shows on every one of its pages making it joy to read. -- Katherine Tyrrell, Making A Mark * Making A Mark *
This is one of the most comprehensive books around on natural history drawing. -- Henry Malt * artbookreview *
Sarah’s illustrations are beautiful and intricate, capturing the beauty of her subjects with sensitivity and skill. -- Jane Stroud, Leisure Painter * Leisure Painter *
Overall this is a brilliant book, perfectly suited to building your natural history drawing skills. The subjects are brought alive by wonderful descriptions and personal experiences. An absolute pleasure to read… I'm sure I’ll treasure it for years to come, and refer back to it again and again. -- Sylvia Myers, Ecologist & Volunteer Manager, NHM * Natural History Museum Magazine *
It is a beautiful book, thoroughly researched and exquisitely illustrated. It is an ideal book for students or for anyone thinking of embarking on a new hobby in art, as well as for nature lovers and lovers of art generally. A pleasure to read - deeply enjoy. -- Endymion Beer, reviewer British Naturalists Association * British Naturalists Association *
This is a beautiful guide to the use of traditional pen and ink in natural history illustrations. Because of the book’s well-organized structure and inclusion of some beginner-friendly projects, it would also be a useful resource for instructors to share with their students. -- Camille Werther, reviewer JNSI * Journal of Natural Science Illustrations *