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Cutting a leaf circle

“Leafcutter Bee Cutting Leaf Circle from Rose Branch”, 2012
Ink and brush with some body colour, on Bristol Board, approx. 7″ x 4.5″

Here’s another in my series of ink drawings based on Leafcutter Bees. This one shows a bee on a branch of rose leaves which are one of their favourite plants for harvesting nest material. Watching a bee cut a circle from a rose leaf is a truly wonderful experience.

Once again I have used Winsor & Newton liquid Indian ink, which I absolutely love using. The paper is Bristol board, and the ink was applied using small watercolour brushes in the technique I have been working on for a while now, in which I build up layers of washes to create the image. For this particular drawing I also used some Chinese White body colour to add detail, for example on the hairs on the bee’s legs.

Above: Detail of two stages in the drawing, and far right, the ink and brushes I have been using.

Exhibition dates 2013:

There will be opportunity for you to see my bee drawings at two locations in early 2013. I will post details of the exhibitions as soon as I have more information, but for now, here is some information on the places I’ll be exhibiting:

Coach House Gallery, Edgbaston, April 2013.

Louth Festival of the Bees, May 2013.

Louth Festival of the Bees will include workshops, exhibitions and lectures, and looks like it will be an informative and exciting event for all lovers of solitary bees.

You can read an interview with me in Bee Mentor which looks at my interest in leafcutter bees, but also covers my drawing techniques and practice, and my photography.

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This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Richard Burton

    As ever, exquisite; I think I prefer to look at your illustrations of these lovely creatures than photographs. Along with your evident skills, I so admire your steady hand – these are unforgiving mediums which you have mastered. Lovely, lovely work.

  2. Christine

    Richard — thank you so much for your comment. It means such a lot to have support and encouragement!

  3. Marzie

    I am always excited to get your posts with e bee illustrations. All your work is beautiful but I just love your leaf cutter bee drawing. They capture that magical moment of seeing the bee work… Thank you for sharing them with us.

  4. Christine

    Hello Marzie, many thanks for your comment! – I’m so pleased you like the leafcutter bee drawings.

    May I also apologise for taking so long to respond to your message – I have not been able to get online for a while due to moving house, but hope to be blogging more frequently again soon!

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