Wildlife + Plant Illustrations | New watercolor paintings from my portfolio

I've recently finished a big project that I've produced a lot of new artwork for, and I thought I'd share a bit about it.
All of the pieces were for three different information boards about local protected areas and show a variety of wildlife and plants.
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[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Your style is absolutely beautiful!

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you so much Sarah!

[@ad6449]

Truly enjoyed seeing these collections of illustrations. Thank you for sharing them with us. I love the depth you went into for each eco zone. I am very inspired. Thank you!

[@fabianflores2339]

Those paintings are beautiful.

[@ole-thomasbechensten4892]

Love our work

[@debbiebruce6920]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful paintings.

[@lawsdraws]

What a great project, Julia! Such lovely work. My heart melted a bit at all the birds

[@NatureSketchbook]

Aw, thank you Laura! The birds were definitely amongst my favorites.

[@harrietwilliams8228]

Lovely! I do enjoy watching your videos.🙏

[@lizc4036]

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work with us.

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you for being here and taking a look, Liz!

[@roksannastephens4375]

Oh Julia, thank you for sharing your beautiful pieces ❤!!

[@NatureSketchbook]

You're welcome Roksanna!

[@roksannastephens4375]

@@NatureSketchbook yes, so beautiful, you have been busy.

[@beekay9552]

Beautiful work, Julia. You did such a great job.

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you, I really appreciate it!

[@paulinabm_]

Amazing work!! Congratulations 😊😊😊

[@ninjabackasch5623]

Just lovely, thanks for sharing!

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you so much!

[@hollyexley]

Absolutely stunning work Julia!

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you so much Holly!

[@marketgarden2062]

I gotta say, you're one of my favorite artists right now. I'll put up my portfolio sometime....maybe you can check it out. Have a nice day Julia.

[@NatureSketchbook]

That's so nice, thank you! And sure, send me a link to your portfolio. :-)

[@marketgarden2062]

@@NatureSketchbook ❤️

[@susanbeaumont9478]

Such gorgeous work! I recognize one of the dragonflies --love how you rendered them. Such delicate beauty, Julia!

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you so much Susan! I especially loved working on the dragonflies - amazing creatures!

[@susanbeaumont9478]

@@NatureSketchbook I love watching them too--especially the tiny azure blue ones that appear in early spring here! Do you have any tips on drawing and painting the delicate filigree lacework on their wings? Thank you so much, Julia!

[@NatureSketchbook]

I never feel like I truly can capture the wings. My only tip would be to plan in a lot of time, use a very fine pencil, and take a look at how the wing is structured - veins usually start at the wing base and often have parallel lines. If you have a lightbox you can do one wing and trace the other side to save time.

[@susanbeaumont9478]

@@NatureSketchbook These are fantastic ideas, Julia! Thank you so much for taking this time. I will definitely look carefully at wonders such as wings! All the very best!

[@ChrissieNicely]

My goodness! You have been busy! Great work and very interesting details about German flora and fauna! I actually learnt something! 🥰🤩😘

[@NatureSketchbook]

Good to hear that I said something useful! 🥰

[@ChrissieNicely]

@@NatureSketchbook Most definitely! I live in the North of Germany and I think I may have seen the smaller woodpecker, unless it is the smallest one (sparrow-size) you painted.

[@NatureSketchbook]

Oh I hope you won't be affected by the storm this weekend. How lovely you've seen that woodpecker!

[@ChrissieNicely]

@@NatureSketchbookThank you! 😘 Some areas of my city were evacuated last night but, personally, I have not been affected so far. I heard there was some damage in the South of Germany. Hopefully, not in your area! And hopefully, it is over today. 😒

[@fuzzydragons]

def a project to be happy and proud of 😀 a lot of lovely work

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you so much!

[@KimsNJAdventures]

A beautiful and inspiring body of work here Julia! 👏👍 My favourite are the bats. I've been putting off making my botanical painting ideas because it's not my strength (i.e. fear) but your videos (this and the sketchbook tours) have motivated me to sit down today and start. 😊 Thank you and good luck with finding all your species this summer. 🌷⛰️🌄🦋

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you so much Kim! That's it - just get started - you will get better if you stay with it, and you can learn something from each of your paintings. Great that my videos have helped you. I will definitely make more excited videos when I've found those species! 🌿❤️

[@KimsNJAdventures]

@@NatureSketchbook I look forward to seeing them! 😁

[@yellowbicycleartstudio8974]

Stunning artwork!

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you Robert!

[@harrietwilliams8228]

Lovely😁enjoy your videos so much!

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you Harriet!

[@vermiliongamboge155]

These are lovely.

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you!

[@annejameson3425]

Beautiful paintings!

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you!

[@marcwheeler4406]

Great video enjoyed your paintings and your thought processes on your psintings....love woodpeckers my favorite birds... I liked the tree also we dont have nearly looking trees like that to draw ...if sometimes the trees looks sketchy they are cut down..mikelle art mom🎨✍👩‍🎨

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you! Yes, woodpeckers are amazing and it was so nice to be reminded how many different ones there are. Thoses trees are only really typical for a few small areas here because they're historically unique, so I'm happy I get to see some big gnarly trees from time to time!

[@michellerichert8225]

merci , j'aime beaucoup ce que vous faites : " so beautiful and very, very interesant.. ( I try to speak english 🤔!) 🦊

[@NatureSketchbook]

Merci beaucoup! My French is also very rusty. ;-)

[@riffsandpics]

Impressive collection, thanks for showing! How many hours per illustration did it take, about average?

[@KimsNJAdventures]

Oh and was it all watercolour or is there also gouache or pencil/watercolour pencil used? 😊

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thank you! That's hard to say in hindsight. Between 2-5 hours per piece, depending on my painting speed and the number of studies I did beforehand.

[@NatureSketchbook]

Mostly watercolor with very rarely gouache for highlights, and very often a bit of colored pencil on top.

[@marketgarden2062]

How you been Julia? We are similar souls looking for honest self expression. Have a beautiful day today.

[@NatureSketchbook]

Thanks for asking! Things could be better, but I always end up on my feet again. I hope you are well.

[@roksannastephens4375]

Are you saying you drew from life, photos and or books of these?

[@NatureSketchbook]

I used references for almost all drawings because it was the wrong season to do on location studies. But I'm planning to go back in summer!

[@roksannastephens4375]

@@NatureSketchbook awesome, thank God for references!! Can't wait for that, hope you share.