Watercolour illustration - Twilight Halloween owl

NEW AUTUMN WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOP — TWILIGHT OWL 🦉

As the days grow shorter and autumn settles in, there’s something magical about that fleeting moment between day and night…

For my October workshop, we’ll be painting a beautiful Long-eared Owl, beneath an autumn twilight sky. 

I wanted to create something that captures the quiet magic of an autumn evening, with a subtle nod to Halloween. 🎃🌙

During the workshop I’ll guide you step-by-step through creating the atmospheric background, glowing moon and silhouettes, before bringing our beautiful owl to life with layered watercolour.

As always, the workshop is suitable for all abilities, including complete beginners. Your pencil outline and step-by-step guidance are provided, so you can simply relax, paint and enjoy the process. 🎨

📅 Wednesday 28th October
⏰ 9.30am – 13.30pm
📍 Art in the Park, Markeaton Park, Derby
💷 £46 including materials and free parking

Come and spend a peaceful morning painting, learning and enjoying a little bit of autumn twilight magic. 🧡

Places are limited, so if you'd like to join me, book online here

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...

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. 

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. 

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 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 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 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!

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.