Nonfiction Illustrations
Wildlife & Science
01. Summer is Coming
02. Double-page Tiger Spread
03. Double-page Kookaburra Spread
04. Double-page Walrus Spread
05. Science Book Cover Concept
I have a deep and abiding interest in wildlife. At school, both biology and art were my main interests and in all these years that hasn’t changed. The only peculiar thing about this is how long it took me to realise how badly I’d like to illustrate a wildlife book!
01. SUMMER IS COMING
A couple of summers ago koalas rapidly became an endangered species in one of the worst bushfire seasons on record. Hundreds of thousands of these and other Australian wildlife died in the bushfires that swept Eastern Australia. It was and is utterly awful. Politicians on a State and Federal level have pledged money and action in response. Time will tell whether this has been sufficient. More information here: https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/home/biodiversity-bushfire-response-and-recovery
02. TIGER
I have some ideas for a couple of wildlife / nature books and a very strong desire to work in this area for publishers and art directors. There’s just something immensely satisfying about bringing animals or physical scenes to life. If you’ve spent anytime on this website you’d probably already guessed that!
03. THE LAUGHING KOOKABURRA
A continuation of the book concept featuring the above and the walrus below. Really an excuse for big double page spread hero illustrations for featured animals. I’ll probably do 2 or 3 more before I settle back into the writing side. To come: Dingo, Platypus and a reptile, Marine Iguana or a Komodo Dragon … maybe? We’ll see, it’s really just for fun.
04. WALRUS
The last of my double page wildlife spreads for 2024. I homed in on the walrus primarily as a contrast to either of the two illustrations. They’re so different yet equally brimming with personality and so iconic. Are there any other animals that have a moustache named after them?
05. LIFE SCIENCE BOOK COVER CONCEPT
I have a long history in science communication and promotion, it’s a definite passion of mine. I’ll be uploading similar concepts in the coming months as I work through some of my visual ideas. In the one above I wanted to create a sense of connection with the gaze of the chimp but also mystery by combining it with the other animals and the DNA model. It was a fairly quickly produced piece so I may revisit to refine it in the future.
