Behind the scenes of an illustration commission

One of my favourite parts of working as a commercial illustrator is seeing how an initial idea develops into a finished product.

For my latest commission with Relish, I was asked to create five new garden-inspired illustrations for their latest Aquapaints collection, Garden Wonders.

The process began with pencil sketches, developing the compositions and deciding how the different elements would work together.

Rather than painting each scene as one complete illustration, I painted the individual elements separately in watercolour — birds, flowers, bees, foliage and vegetables — often at a larger scale so I could capture the detail and character I wanted.

Once the paintings were complete, I scanned the individual elements and brought them together digitally in Photoshop, building each composition layer by layer to create the final print-ready artwork.

 

And then came the particularly rewarding part: seeing those original watercolours transformed into the finished Garden Wonders Aquapaints collection.

This is now the fifth Aquapaint collection I've illustrated for Relish, and my eighth commission with them overall.

It's a wonderful example of how a traditional, hand-painted illustration can be developed and adapted to create a product with a very different purpose — in this case, a calming and creative activity designed for people living with dementia.

I'm incredibly grateful to the Relish team for continuing to trust me with these projects, and I always love seeing where the artwork eventually ends up.

Garden Wonders - Magic Aquapaints

It still amazes me how a seemingly blank canvas can transform into a colourful garden scene with nothing more than water and a paintbrush!

This bird bath illustration is one of the five original watercolours I created for the new Garden Wonders Aquapaint collection with Relish Watching each scene slowly appear is such a calming experience, and it's wonderful to know these illustrations are helping to bring moments of creativity and enjoyment to people living with dementia.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing another illustration from the collection...

New Aquapaints Range - Garden Wonders

 Today is one of my favourite days as an illustrator...

The postman has just delivered my latest commission for Relish and opening the box never gets old. There's something incredibly special about seeing months of painting, planning and collaboration transformed into a finished product you can finally hold in your hands.

🌸 Garden Wonders is the fifth Aquapaint collection I've illustrated for Relish, and my eighth commission with this wonderful team. It's always a privilege to create artwork that will help bring moments of creativity, calm and achievement to people living with dementia.

Here is a link to Garden Wonders on the Relish website

I'll be sharing lots more over the coming days, including a look inside the box, behind the scenes of the illustrations, and the magical way these Aquapaints work.

✨ Tomorrow I'll reveal what's inside... I can't wait to show you!

Watercolour Workshop Derbyshire

 Only 3 more spaces left for my Bee Orchid watercolour workshop!

If you've been thinking about joining, now's the time-this class is nearly fully booked.

April 8th at Art in the Park, Derby

Booking link

My watercolour workshops featured in Derby Telegraph

 A lovely surprise with my morning cup of tea this Saturday...

My watercolour workshops at Art in the Park Derbyshire have been featured in the Derby Telegraph.

The article talks about the idea of taking a “creative pause” — something I see happen in every class. Watercolour encourages you to slow down, focus on the brush and the colour, and enjoy the rhythm of painting. Many of my students say they leave the workshops feeling relaxed and refreshed.

It’s a real privilege to teach these classes in such a beautiful setting in Markeaton Park, surrounded by nature and creativity.

Thank you to everyone who has joined a workshop so far and helped build such a supportive and inspiring atmosphere.

My next workshop is on 8th April, where we’ll be painting a beautiful Bee Orchid step-by-step.

If you’d love to spend a relaxing afternoon learning watercolour, you can find the booking link Here

Bee Orchid Booking Link 

Capturing the first wild flowers - Watercolour nature illustration

 I look forward to capturing the first wildflowers of the year, every year 😊 Their burst of colour feels like a gentle welcome after the winter bleakness!

I photograph them so i can take them back to the studio with me and sit and appreciate them a little longer.

Painting them in watercolour feels like a way to honour that fleeting moment before they sipper again 😊

Hand painted watercolour artwork for a garden themed product

Some of the hand-painted watercolours for Relish’s beautiful new Aquapaints range. I can reveal that this one is garden themed, and an absolute pleasure to work on. 🥰

I can’t show you any of the finished images yet, but will post some more behind the scenes content of how the range comes together, so stay tuned ☺️ 

Art for wellbeing - Aquapaints

 “It never stops feeling magical!”☺️✨

Every brush stroke reveals a little more magic 🥰

I was commissioned by @relishjoy to illustrate the five colourful and vibrant scenes in the Magnificent Birds Aquapaints collection. 

They are designed to spark joy and connection and offer a soothing, creative experience for people living with Dementia. 

Hearing how much people enjoy using the Aquapaints is always one of the best part of the process 🥰

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? 

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 

Watercolour sketching and painting

There’s something magical about this time of year — wild grasses swaying, butterflies dancing, bees busy at work.

I’ve been taking slow, mindful walks through nature this season — observing the small details, recording the moments that move me, and soaking up inspiration for my artwork.

Today was all about the butterflies!

Let me know what you’ve been noticing on your own walks — or what season inspires you most. 🌿✨

#butterflies #naturelover #slowliving #natureinspiredart #watercolourillustration #butterflyillustration 

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/

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? 🐸💚