Winter Rose Hip watercolour illustration

 A winter moment inspired by the UK hedgerows. A seasonal switch up?

Every walk i have done lately has been full of these bright little beauties! I think they make a good seasonal alternative to the usual holly and red berries, what do you think?

Homecoming is Shortlisted for the Wainwright prize for illustrated nature books!

I am absolutely thrilled that Homecoming is shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Illustrated nature books alongside so many inspiring voices. ☺️

Homecoming, written by the wonderful Melissa Harrison is more than a book - it’s a gentle invitation to reconnect with our natural world. 

I had the joy of illustrating over 80 hand-painted elements, plus a wraparound cover and patterned endpapers - all created mindfully, with deep reverence for the seasons and natural rhythms of nature. 

I hope you enjoy this post, showing some of my process. If you’re an Art Director, Editor, Author or Publisher working on nature writing, slow living, sustainability or seasonal storytelling - I’d love to hear from you.

Hand-painted watercolour illustration for Homecoming nature journal

Hope you enjoy a little peek at some of the research, sketching and painting behind the August introduction in Homecoming ☺️

There is plenty to enjoy in nature this month. Ripening fruits & vegetables, harvest season for many farms, allotments and veggie gardeners. 

I will definitely be out picking some blackberries on my next foraging adventure 

Hummingbird Hawk-moth in my garden

So happy to have captured this little beauty on my very own Buddleia! It's called a hummingbird hawk-moth 😍 I had the pleasure of illustrating one for Homecoming, so was super excited to actually see one in my own garden.

Absolutely beautiful! Hope you enjoy watching my little video of it. 😊

Homecoming Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for illustrative books.

It has been an absolute joy to illustrate Homecoming, the nature journal written by the brilliant Melissa Harrison.

Reconnecting with nature is something i care deeply about, so when first read Melissa's manuscript for Homecoming, I knew right away this journal was something special! 💖

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! 😍

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.

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 ☺️

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.

 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.

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 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.