Hand painted watercolour bees

A little close-up of my watercolour bees! 🐝 

I loved getting lost in the tiny detail of their wings and stripes

Zooming in you can see how much detail goes into each tiny brushstroke.

I am creating new work for my portfolio at the moment and would love to know what other wildlife you would like to see me paint next? 

Painting Wild Honeysuckle

Capturing some wild honeysuckle from my walk in my sketchbook, with a quick watercolour and coloured pencil study.

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

 

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?

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. 

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.

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.

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.

February nature finds in Derbyshire

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

Who else is enjoying watching nature awaken?

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 Snowdrops illustration for January

My watercolour snowdrops illustration for the Chapter Opener from Homecoming by Melissa Harrison. 

Jack frost makes magic at night

 Hand painted watercolour illustration of jack frost patterns on a wing mirror for Homecoming nature journal by Melissa Harrison. 

Jack frost really does make magic at night!