Join me as I combine science and art in producing paintings and illustrations that will immerse you in many aspects of the natural world and its processes, using a variety of media - Watercolour ~ Pen & Ink ~ Graphite Pencil ~ Gouache.

You can view 'Watch me Work' videos where you will see me working on a current project or in my sketchbook and also discover more about my working life as a natural history and botanical artist. They will be either stand-alone videos or several may link together on a theme, they are not part of a continuous course of study. This enables me to provide a varied program of online demonstrations in a range of media, and you will be able to watch me work on my current artwork/projects, work in progress, sketchbook studies and other activities. The latter could include ways to present finished work, storage options, composition, care of materials ...... So many subject areas to cover!

You will be able to watch and learn about the techniques I use, providing motivation and encouragement to apply them to your own working practice. I will ensure that learning experiences suit a variety of skill levels and my working ethos is very much about 'practice makes progress'. The emphasis will be on helping you to develop your own style, rather than just copy exactly what I am working on in the same way. Therefore, you will not often find a photo provided for you to copy and not a line drawing to trace either. I am passionate about developing drawing skills so full encouragement and guidance will also be given in this area where possible.

As the community builds there will be the opportunity to include demonstrations on themes and techniques that members may request. Video 1 will be released in the first half of the month and video 2 or a 'live' session will be in the second half of the month. The videos will have a voice over included, recorded in real time with increased speed only when necessary. You will be able to re-watch the videos too and submit any questions that you may have.

Not only that, with all levels of membership you will also have access to Bonus posts are exactly just that - a bonus. They may include an extra digital download, a short video from my digital sketchbook, a series of posts on a specific subject area, activities to do alongside your artwork, for example how to create a home-based herbarium, how to store and look after natural subject matter, art material reviews ...... There will be nature highlights from my garden and other green spaces that I explore and visit, wildlife gardening tips and links to other amazing subjects and articles. Phew! So much to share together!

At times I will also share new content, such as my video Fieldwork Diary with Patrons, before I share it elsewhere on social media. I endeavour to be a full-time working artist, author and naturalist, whilst being a carer, producing work for commissions, publication and exhibitions, but I am also a passionate educator.

As well as teaching my own workshops and courses, I also teach for other organisations. Patreon is an ideal platform for me to provide learning resources in an online environment where I can reach people all over the world.

My cosy and compact studio is based in my home on the south coast of England. This is an ideal location to go off exploring, visiting various locations and habitats or along the coast exploring the beaches, observing nature, drawing in the field and collecting subject matter. I also have a small garden which we manage for a range of wildlife and often in the summer months my working space makes it way outside. Thank you for choosing to support my work and it's great to have you here !