Sound of the ocean - Seashell headphones T-Shirt

Who remembers holding a seashell to your ear as a child, amazed by the sound of the sea whispering inside? 🐚✨

That wonder stayed with me — and it inspired this painting.

I imagined seashell headphones, carrying the ocean’s magic wherever you go...

Dolphins leaping, fish swimming, waves spilling out in a cascade of life and sound. 

This piece is my tribute to the endless beauty, mystery, and life held within the sea.

You can now buy The Sound of the Ocean on T-Shirts in my Tee Public Shop

For those who still listen to seashells! 😊

https://www.teepublic.com/user/amanda-dilworth

I was also thrilled to learn that Sound of the Ocean had been selected by Pangeaseed as one of the top 10 art submissions for their Sea Wonder: Share wonder campaign!

In celebration of Earth month and world oceans day the Pangeaseed family invited artists from around the world to submit original art that explore wonder, celebrating the emotional and scientific beauty of the ocean. The campaign is to spark curiosity, build connection and inspire care and empathy through the arts.

Cottagecore Herb Garden Pattern

 “From paper to pattern — this is how a herb garden becomes fabric.”

I loved creating this pattern. All the herbs were painted in watercolour, then scanned into Photoshop, where I created my pattern repeat.

You can buy this pattern on fabric and homeware via my Spoonflower shop https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/amanda_dilworth - prefect for kitchens, gifts, or DIY projects.

What would you love to see this herb pattern on? Let me know in the comments.

Want to license this design for your own products? Email me for details enquiries@amandadilworth.co.uk 

June - Nature Watercolour Illustrations

 June is one of my favourite months in the UK. Grab your copy of Homecoming and step outside-there's so much waiting to be noticed! 😍

When the fields become your studio - Out in the Derbyshire dales sketching nature.

 

When the fields become your studio...

I absolutely love this time of year, the fields look incredible 😍

It's nice to gather inspiration for my artwork from photographs and from getting out and about with my sketchbook, to capture some quick studies.

I hope you will follow me for more nature inspiration and artwork.

https://www.instagram.com/amanda_dilworth/

Homecoming - Fully illustrated nature journal

This isn’t just a book - it’s a year-long adventure, exploring and noticing the beautiful seasons unfolding around us in nature. Whether you live in the city or countryside, Homecoming invites you to pause, notice and reconnect with our beautiful world 💚

Written by the wonderful Melissa Harrison @m_z_harrison 

Fully illustrated by me @amanda_dilworth

 

Watercolour Illustration of Great Tit Nest

Magpies are natural nest predators, as this great tit knows! Hand painted watercolour illustration from Homecoming, a beautiful nature journal written by the wonderful Melissa Harrison and fully illustrated by me.

Hello May - Watercolour nature illustration

 “Spring adds new life and beauty to all that is” - Christina Rossetti 

As May begins, nature reminds us that growth, change and renewal are always possible. Who else is feeling the re-energizing magic of Spring!? 

Hear the Ocean - Watercolour ocean life illustration

 🌊🎧 Hear the Ocean 🎧🌊

Created for @ourplanetweek, inspired by the beautiful prompt “Hear the Ocean” #OPW25Ocean 💙

Who else remembers holding a seashell to your ear as a child, amazed by the sound of the sea whispering inside? 🐚✨

That wonder stayed with me — and it inspired this painting.

I imagined seashell headphones, carrying the ocean’s magic wherever you go...

Dolphins leaping, fish swimming, waves spilling out in a cascade of life and sound. 

This piece is my tribute to the endless beauty, mystery, and life held within the sea. 

Flying high watercolour nature illustration

 Flying high

Created for @ourplanetweek prompt "Feel the air"

This handpainted watercolour is my attempt to capture the freedom of flight- a weightless, soul-lifting moment.

Swallows, swifts and house martins dance above the trees, soaring through a blue sky dappled with sunlight and soft clouds. I hope you can feel what it might be like to ride the wind- to feel the air beneath your wings?

Chiffchaff watercolour illustration

 It was a joy to bring this tiny singer to life. From pencil sketch to final brushstroke, this little chiffchaff found its voice in the pages of Homecoming-a beautiful nature journal written by the wonderful Melissa Harrison. And fully illustrated by me.

Each commissioned piece begins as a pencil sketch, allowing space for feedback on composition and concept before I begin painting. Once the watercolour illustration is complete, I scan and prepare high-quality digital files for my client-ready to sing on the printed page ☺️

Spring bird song watercolour illustration

 “My favourite weather is bird chirping weather.” – Terri Guillemets

Spring mornings are full of music right now—the dawn chorus has returned, and it’s magic. I created this piece to celebrate those peaceful moments where nature gently reminds us to slow down and listen.

To all the fellow bird and nature lovers out there, I hope this brings a smile to your day. 

Wild Garlic pattern on fabric and homeware

From forest floor to fabric. This surface pattern started with a spring walk through the woods and the wild scent of garlic all around me. I hand-painted each element in watercolor, then carefully turned it into a seamless repeat to celebrate the season.

Now it’s available on a full range of products—from fabric and wallpaper to duvet covers, curtains, napkins, pillows, and more. Whether you want to DIY something special or bring nature into your home effortlessly, it’s ready for you.

💚 Shop the Wild Garlic Collection on Spoonflower – link in side bar.

 

Hand painted watercolour illustration of a seven-spot ladybird on alkanet

 Hand painted watercolour illustration of a little ladybird on alkanet

This illustration was part of my commission to fully illustrate the wonderful Melissa Harrison's Homecoming nature journal.

Foraging wild garlic

 Did you know there’s a superfood hiding in the woods right now? And it makes the best cheesy muffins! 

It’s wild garlic season! I went foraging to find this delicious, fragrant green and turned it into cheese & garlic muffins-and let me tell you, they are next-level good. 

Foraging is such a rewarding way to connect with nature. If you’ve never tried it, now is the perfect time. 

Let me know if you forage, and what for? 

Professional watercolour Artist and Illustrator

 Little reel made for instagram, introducing who i am and what i do.

I'm a professional watercolour Artist & illustrator, creating artwork inspired by nature, animals & food.

I help businesses stand out in a crowded market with hand-painted bespoke illustration.

I also create watercolour artwork for individual clients and have a selection of prints available to buy.

If you love art, nature and food, let's explore together! Follow me for more watercolour adventures and drop a comment or email if you have any questions - I'd love to hear from you! 😊

 

Watercolour stories from nature - April

 Watercolour stories from nature.

April is here, and nature is well and truly waking up! ☺️ Come explore the beauty of the season with me. Hope you enjoy a few a few photos of the original sketches and handprinted watercolours that created the artwork for the April section of Homecoming.

Mixing Watercolour Greens

 

1️⃣ Struggling to mix the perfect green for your botanical art? 🌿🎨

2️⃣ Straight-from-the-tube greens can look unnatural… but don’t worry, I’ve got you!

3️⃣ Here’s how to mix rich, realistic greens using just a few colors! 💚✨

4️⃣ Watch as I blend pigments to create natural, dynamic greens for leaves, stems, and foliage! 

5️⃣ Stay tuned for the ultimate botanical green mixing guide! 👀💡

Watercolour Pencils

 

New projects underway. I thought I would share some process and behind the scenes reels as I am working on new artwork. Hope you enjoy them? Let me know in the comments what you think and what else you would like to see?

Watercolour illustration of red dead-nettle

 🌿✨ You’ll often find Red Dead-nettle brightening up roadside verges and field edges. Not only does it add a pop of color, but it’s also a vital food source for many insects! 🐝💚

A selection of hand painted watercolour illustrations for Homecoming, the nature journal written by Melissa Harrison and fully illustrated by me.

 A true symbol of new beginnings. The beautiful Brimstone butterfly is waking from hibernation! One of the earliest butterflies to appear after winter. 

Have you spotted a Brimstone yet? 👀

Watercolour illustration of Black bird singing

The sweet sound of spring is here! This blackbird, perched high on a rooftop against a clear blue sky, is singing its heart out—filling the air with its beautiful, flute-like melody. March mornings wouldn’t be the same without this joyful chorus! 💙

Have you heard the first blackbird song of the season yet?

Watercolour wildlife illustration - Frogs and frogspawn

Spring is in the air, and so are the frogspawn! March is the season of new beginnings, and ponds are coming to life with clusters of tiny jelly-like eggs. Soon, they’ll hatch into wriggling tadpoles, kicking off their incredible journey to froghood! 

Keep an eye out for frogspawn in local ponds and wetlands—but remember to admire from a distance and let nature do its thing. Who else is excited for a new generation of froggies? 🐸💚

Spring time watercolour illustrations

 March is here, and nature is waking up! 🌸The first blossoms, fresh green leaves, and the sweet scent of spring are filling the air. Every bud is a reminder that new beginnings are all around us. 

Chapter opener for March in Homecoming nature journal written by Melissa Harrison, fully illustrated by me.

Watercolour illustration of Hazel Catkins

 Yellow male flowers of the Hazel tree are catkins 😍

Watercolour illustration of Celandines

 Arum's rolled leaves break ground, spearing up between celandines. 

Really enjoying the pops of colour starting to show on my walks at the moment.

Watercolour illustration of two robins bonding

One of my watercolour illustrations for Homecoming nature journal. Food whether your a Robin or human, is always a great way to bond 💕

February nature finds in Derbyshire

 February whispers the promise of spring - can you feel it?

Who else is enjoying watching nature awaken?

Buff-tailed Bumblebee watercolour illustration

 Did you know Buff-tailed bumblebee queens hibernate underground?

Hope you enjoy my illustrations from Homecoming nature journal by Melissa Harrison.

Watercolour snowdrops illustration

 I am so happy it's a bit brighter here in Derbyshire today. I got out on a walk and managed to see a beautiful snowdrop display by a little stream 😍 far better than any Valentine's day flowers 😂

Watercolour botanical illustrations

 Welcome February. 😊 I am so happy to see the first snowdrops, buds and shoots starting to emerge 😍

My illustration is the chapter opener from February in Homecoming, a guided nature journal written by award-winning writer Melissa Harrison.

Drawing in the Peak District

Wow, what a beautiful day out in the Peak District, at Curbar Edge. I feel so lucky and blessed to  live in Derbyshire. For me there is nothing like being out in nature to inspire and get my creativity going. 

I am currently creating some brand new nature collections which i will be posting about very soon, stay tuned!

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Results

 Hope you enjoy my RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch footage.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2025

 

Taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch today. Hoping to capture some video and photos only using the phone camera. It’s so nice to take the time to get up close to these amazing birds 🥰😍

I will be doing my recording hour later from more of a distance using my binoculars. A special thanks to my first two stars of the show, Mr Blue Tit and Mrs House Sparrow.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2025

 

Getting ready to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Simply choose an hour between 24th -26th January 2025 & count the birds you see land in your garden. Then add your results online, on the RSPB website.

Now my feeders are all clean and topped up with feed, i am ready to watch and record my feathered visitors.

Watercolour illustration of a Red Squirrel

 It's National Squirrel Appreciation Day!

I love these furry little acrobats. I think they bring so much joy to the world with their charm, cleverness and playful nature 🥰

If you like this furry friend, he is available as a print in my Etsy shop

Urban Fox Watercolour Illustration

January is breeding season for foxes. 💕 Hope you enjoy my fox illustration from Homecoming nature journal by the wonderful Melissa Harrison. Urban fox out looking for the right foxy lady 😉