Dictionary Images with Copper Leaf

All images in this Gallery are original pieces by me, painted on very old dictionary paper, with added copper leaf. I have not 'sealed' the copper leaf, as I want to see the leaf tarnish over time.

I work as a full-time Illustrator, usually commissioned for children's books, greetings cards, private commissions and pet portraits.

Outside of my 'daily' work, I have always had a passion for reading, storytelling, and very old books.

After completing a wonderful, privately commissioned book using very old dictionary paper, I discovered I loved the look and feel of working on such incredible paper.

I have always experimented with different materials, taking pleasure in using old, broken or forgotten materials and upcycling or recycling them to try and make them beautiful and purposeful again. These are often materials with history and I love the idea of being able to add to their story.

I have been very fortunate to find or be given on their last legs dictionaries that I can take apart to work on. I bravely paint straight onto the paper and build up an image of an animal, bird or plant in watercolour and gouache. I wanted to elevate some of my dictionary paper ideas and originals and settled on adding copper leaf onto the dictionary pages. These are some of the results and all are available to purchase.

They are all a pleasure to paint especially outside of my deadlined, often pressurized commercial work.