Traditional

Illustration of the discus fish, acrylic on wooden panel (50 cm diameter)

Discus (genus Symphysodon) are freshwater cichlids native to the Amazon basin, and are now prized fish kept by aquarists worldwide. Considered difficult to keep, the many striking patterns and colours of discus have earned them the nickname "King of the Aquarium", with some breeding adults selling up to $500.

My first work experience gig was at a local aquarium, years before I had even considered studying marine biology. Naturally I was drawn to the marine fish at the aquarium, but one particular freshwater species caught my eye - the discus! The "red turquoise" variety was my favourite due to its beautiful colour contrast, so it made sense to paint such a beautiful animal.

Acrylic painting of the leafy sea dragon (40 x 30 cm)

Original photo reference by Tony Brown

May 2019

Original sold

Version of Elements without beach litter; exploring temperate marine biodiversity in southern Australia.

March 2018

Watercolour, gouache and ink on Arches hot-pressed paper (365 GSM, 102 cm x 65 cm).

Submission for the South Australian Museum's 'Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize 2018.'

"This piece explores the wonderful diversity of temperate marine life along southern Australia, and the unfortunate persistence of marine plastic pollution. Walk along our local beaches and you'd agree that seeing marine organisms washed ashore is a familiar sight. Unfortunately, plastic pollution is also getting washed ashore amongst it, even in what we'd call 'pristine' beaches. The bits of plastic stuck onto this painting were removed from some local Adelaide beaches. It goes without saying how widespread plastic is in our oceans, and how surprisingly abundant it is on our beautiful coastline here in southern Australia. These plastics further degrade into microscopic fragments that are small enough to pass through food webs and accumulate in tissues of animals even smaller than the ones shown here. Sadly, we now face the reality of observing plastic pollution wash up on our beaches with these beautiful, unique animals, and paints a reminder for this issue at a global scale."

Watercolour, gouache and ink on Arches hot-pressed paper (365 GSM, 102 cm x 65 cm). Beach litter stuck on with removable adhesive that won't damage paper. Approximately 60 hours total - animal references obtained from a huge array of marine life books, my own photographs, online museum collections etc.

Winter came early this year, so an Arctic Flutterowl gets first dibs on the snowberries before they sell out.
October 2017
Copic markers/ Unipin, Artline and gel pens/ Xpressit A4 blending card
Original available!

Illustrative interpretation of the serval cat.
Ocotober 2017
Copic markers, Unipin fineliner on Xpressit A4 blending card | App. 3 hours
Original available!

Illustration of the eastern blue devil (Paraplesiops bleekeri), an endemic species to southeastern Australia. 
October 2017
Copic markers, Artline felt tip, white gel pen, A4 Xpressit blending card | 1.5 hours total
Original sold!

August 2017
Copic Ciao markers and fineliners | A4 X-Press It blending card | <1 hour
Original available!

Jellyfish commission. Drawn with Derwent Studio Pencils, black Artline & white/bronze pens on A3 Canson paper (220 GSM). Approximately 15+ hours of work.

July 2017

The large jellyfish were loosely inspired by the Plagiidae family, but I made the oral arms looks like feathers. The smaller jellies are inspired by the Aurelia genus. The overall look was inspired by Studio Ghibli's "Ponyo."

ORIGINAL SOLD

Tribute to one of my inspirations, Sir David Frederick Attenborough.

Full view: http://imgur.com/eBm3wuT

Unfortunately I couldn't get to meet the great man himself, BUT the drawing was passed onto him during the show (thank you to some friends!)

My largest piece to date: over 100 hours worth of work, at approximately 85cm tall. Drawn using Derwent Studio pencils, white gouache and a hint of black fineliner on Arches hot-press watercolour paper (365 GSM). Many photo references were used.

"Sir David Attenborough, along with the team at the BBC, have showcased the natural world and encaptured audiences worldwide. With over 60 years on air, Attenborough has certainly had a huge influence on many people, including myself. Hummingbirds are often symbols of endurance, adaptability, joy and playfulness, all of which are traits that Attenborough acquires.

It is true that many people have become increasingly disconnected to the natural world, even if it is as simple as exploring their own backyard. However, it is thanks to Sir David, and to the phenomenal team at the BBC, that so many people around the world feel connected to nature once again."

Original given to Attenborough himself | February 2017

Illustrative interpretation of the lion
December 2016
Copic Sketch markers, Artline felt tip pen and white gel pen on A4 paper | App. 10-12 hours.
ORIGINAL SOLD

Illustrative interpretation of the seahorse.
April 2016
Black ballpoint pen | A4 paper | App. 3 hours

Unsuccessful entry for the 2016 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize.
Entry description: ""Invasive marine species can impact on native biodiversity and human resources, with the European shore crab, Carcinus maenas, being the classic example. The carapace markings represent the global establishment of marine bioinvasions, which are increasingly prominent in a hyper-connected world."
March 2016
Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolour on Arches hot-press paper (365 GSM) | 65 cm x 102 cm | App. 45 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

Painting of an Atlantic blue crab claw (Callinectes sapidus)
March 2016
Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolours and Neef sable brushes on A5 Arches hotpress paper (300 gsm) | App. 3.5 hours.
ORIGINAL SOLD

Painting of the marine gastropod (Cancellaria reticulata)
February 2016
Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolours and Neef sable brushes on A5 Arches hotpress paper (300 gsm) | App. 4-5 hours.
ORIGINAL SOLD

Rather rough drawing from a preserved specimen of the pebble crab (Bellidilia laevis)
January 2016
Felt tip pen and HB pencil on A4 paper | App. 2.5 hours.

Illustrative interpretation of the Siamese fighting fish
January 2016
Copic markers, black Micron pen on A3 paper | App. 15 hours.

Not-so-festive great horned owl.
January 2016
Derwent Studio pencils + Micron pens | A3 paper | App. 2-3 hours.

Illustrative interpretation of the fantail goldfish
November 2015
Micron felt tip pens and Copic markers on Moleskine paper | App. 4 hours.

Illustrative interpretation of the Alpine Ibex. 
January 2016
Derwent Studio pencils & Micron pens | A3 paper | App. 10-12 hours. 

Flying fish/humminbird hybrid
October 2015
Copic markers, black and white pen | A3 paper | App. 1 hour

The European shore crab. Drawn for the methods component of my Honours thesis. 
May 2015
Black felt tip pen | A3 paper | App. 5 hours | Drawn from a collected specimen
ORIGINAL SOLD

Illustrative interpretation of the Snow Leopard
April 2015
Black felt tip pen and black pencil | App. 3.5 hours

A drawing representing the theme of animal welfare in science
March 2015
Black felt tip pen and HB pencil | A4 paper | App. 2 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

A mermaid inspired by lionfish species. Model reference: Anja Rubik
February 2015
Derwent Studio pencils, black felt tip pen, white gel pen on Kraft-coloured Stonehenge paper | 50 cm x 38 cm | App. 30 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

November 2014
Black ballpoint pen | 28 cm x 35.5 cm | App. 7 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

Inspired by European bee-eaters
January 2014
Derwent Studio Pencils, Black Felt Tip and White Gel Pens on Kraft-Coloured Stonehenge Paper | 38 cm x 28.5 cm | App. 6-7 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

Model reference courtesy of Zhang Jingna (Zemotion)
October 2013
HB + 2B graphite | A4 paper | App. 4 hours

Portrait of my idol
May 2013
Black ballpoint pen | A4 paper | App. 1.75 hours

Inspired by the song "She Was" by electronic producer Seven Lions.
Model reference: Kendra Anderson
April 2013
Derwent Studio pencils, black felt tip pen | App. 10 hours

March 2013
Derwent graphite Pencils | App. 3 hours

March 2013
Derwent Studio pencils, black ballpoint pen | A3 paper | App. 5-6 hours

Illustrative interpretation of the hummingbird
February 2013
Black ballpoint pen | A3 paper | App. 4 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

Illustrative interpretation of the red fox
January 2013
Black ballpoint pen | App. 4 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

Illustrative interpretation of the red deer
January 2013
Derwent Studio pencils, black felt tip pen | A2 paper | App. 8 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

January 2013
Derwent Studio pencils, white acrylic | App. 3-4 hours

Illustrative interpretation of the barn owl
December 2012
Derwent Artists pencils, black ballpoint pen | App. 7-8 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

October 2012
Derwent Graphite pencils | A3 board | App. 5-6 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

October 2012
Derwent Graphite pencils | App. 4 hours

Illustrative interpretation of the grizzly bear
September 2012
Black ballpoint pen | App. 3.5 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

September 2012
Derwent Artists pencils, black ballpoint pen | A3 paper | App. 6-7 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

February 2012
Black ballpoint pen | App. 4.5 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

Illustrative interpretation of the great horned owl
November 2011
Black ballpoint pen | App. 3.5 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

Illustrative interpretation of the Mexican wolf
November 2011
Black ballpoint pen | App. 3 hours
ORIGINAL SOLD

June 2011
Black felt tip pen | App. 5 hours

Portrait of a baby Nile crocodile
June 2011
Acrylic paint on canvas | App. 10 hours