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! 💖

Painting Wild Honeysuckle

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

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 

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.

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.

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 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 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 😂

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!

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 😉

Watercolour bird illustration - Wren

 Really happy and grateful to be able to enjoy the birdsong of Robins and Wrens in the bleak month of January in the UK.

Hope you enjoy my illustration of a beautiful little Wren singing away. This illustration was for Homecoming, the nature journal written by Melissa Harrison and fully illustrated in watercolour by me. 

Watercolour illustration - Murmuration

 Have you ever witnessed a spectacular murmuration? Set against winter skies, this is definitely one of nature's greatest shows 😍 truly incredible to watch!

Illustration from Homecoming nature journal by Melissa Harrison.