new illustrations

I am really enjoying my painting again, probably because I have spent a few weeks drawing in my sketchbook and not really doing any illustrations. It is so good for me to have some diversity in my practice and feel able to devote some proper time to art that I enjoy. It can be tempting to think that, as an artist, there is “work” and “not work” but messing around in my sketchbook, and giving myself the chance to indulge other methods and media invigorates me, and it is an essential part of a well-rounded creative career. I think this spread demonstrates the value in embracing different styles.

I am tweaking the birdwatching logbooks at the moment, slightly altering the look and layout, and redoing some illustrations. I’m also standardising them to some extent, which means a lot of cross-checking on InDesign which I must admit, I really enjoy. So far, I’ve completed Town & Country and Coast & Clifftop so I’ve got a few more to do, but the habitat ones are on the way. I’ve got plenty of stock left so I’m considering a relaunch for May 2025, as that’s the anniversary for the original launch of the logbooks.

Part of the reason for putting the logbooks together was to use my illustrations, and while this is a really good objective, I have learnt a great deal about design in the last 3 years, and now paint in a way that looks good in the logbooks as I no longer have an outlet, or frankly the wherewithal, to paint originals for sale. I like being able to think about how they are going to fit with this project, and bring their personalities into the booklets.

Here are my latest ones.