Found climbing through hedges and on walls and fences honeysuckle provides nectar for insects and nesting places for birds. It can grow 5 metres tall and live for up to 2o years. I painted this from photographs I took on a visit to Wisley RHS Gardens in Surrey.
Looking back at some paintings I did a while ago I found this. I love painting bark and the combination of the colours of the birch, hawthorn and convolvulus make a pleasing composition.
I attended a weekend course with natural history artist Amber Halsall at West Dean College recently. We chose from an array of autumn specimens to arrange as a composition to paint. I really enjoy painting the bark and used this as a centre piece to arrange other subjects around.
The colours of autumn: Falling oak leaves and acorns.
I drew these birds back in 2020 inspired by the different birds I saw during the pandemic lockdowns when towns were quieter and attracted a larger variety of bird life. Recently I thought that they would be perfect for a little handmade book.