Following an earlier series of wildlife illustrations for a Polish book diary, I was commissioned to create another collection of bird illustrations for the following year's edition. It was a pleasure to continue the project and explore another selection of European bird species in watercolour and coloured pencil.
The illustrations feature a varied cast of birds, from the striking Bohemian waxwing and colourful European bee-eater to the elegant common crane, tiny common chiffchaff and familiar Eurasian skylark. The collection also includes a seagull, Eurasian bullfinch, starlings and barn owl, each bringing a very different shape, character and colour palette to the diary.
Working on a project like this is particularly rewarding because the illustrations are created to live beyond the page. Rather than being viewed as individual wildlife artworks, they become part of an object people use throughout the year, bringing birds and natural history into everyday life.
I use a combination of watercolour and coloured pencil to build up the textures, subtle colour variations and fine details of each species. This traditional approach suits bird illustration, allowing me to capture anatomical accuracy and each bird's distinctive character while keeping the images visually engaging.
The project is another example of how my wildlife illustration can be applied to publishing, editorial projects and products, combining natural-history accuracy with a strong visual approach to design.
Some of the original drawings and prints from the project are also available in my online store.
