“Every artist is different”: Wildlife artist Daryl Dickson on her artistic process

Daryl Dickson is an award-winning painter and illustrator with a passion for the natural environment and native wildlife rehabilitation. Her home in far north Queensland is shared with an amazing diversity of wildlife, providing endless inspiration and colour which she channels into her artwork.

Today, Daryl is on the blog to talk about how she creates her stunning artworks, which are showcased in her new book, Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife: The Art of Daryl Dickson. Read on!

Every artist is different; we all have different ways of structuring our creative process. We might choose different mediums, different spaces and often totally different inspiration. I am very fortunate to live in quite a remote and peaceful part of Australia, I live and paint in the far north tropics, surrounded by the wildlife and landscapes that inspire and inform my work.

My process and medium vary, but for my major works in watercolour I have a method that I use to plan and create my chosen subjects. Let me explain just what I have found works for me when using watercolour.

A warning: I do not use my watercolour in a particularly traditional way. I break lots of rules, but if the end result is what I am looking for I think this is exactly what creativity and art are all about.

The chosen subject of my painting will be informed by lots of research, lots of sketches, my own photographic reference of the fine detail of beaks and feather or fur, and a good sense of the subject, its movement and its habitat. These things are all essential for the subject I plan to paint.

I often use canvas paper, not watercolour paper, and after taping my paper to a board I start working on the light pencil sketch of the vegetation I have in mind. I often have a branch, leaves or blossom draped around my work as a constant point of reference. Sketching and getting to know your subject really well makes such a difference to the finished work.

When I am happy with the basic structure and composition I then start work on the main subject of the painting. Sometimes I have already sketched the subject separately, and I make a copy and cut it out to move around my painting to see just where it may be best placed. When it finds the right spot I start sketching this onto the paper. I often make these sketches far too detailed, but I like to see the character of the subject start to emerge.

Once the sketching is complete, I mask the branch and the main elements ready to airbrush the background. I use masking fluid and baking paper to mask out the larger areas.

Using water colour in an airbrush on canvas paper can be tricky, as the paper does not absorb the paint easily, so if you plan to try this technique remember to take the air brushing very slowly and wait between spraying till the surface has dried or you will have unwanted runs through the work. I aim to create a soft ‘depth of field effect’ around my subjects.

When the background is complete the masking can be carefully removed, and then the real work begins: bringing the subject to life. I paint the eyes first, as I like the bird or animals to appear from that place. I use fine brushes and work with my watercolour straight out of the tube with a minimum of water.

Painting can be a very, very long process for me on some works, but I enjoy the process and the challenge of capturing the character and beauty of Australia’s magnificent wildlife. I always have company around my studio with the forest and wildlife a constant distraction just outside.

—Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife: The Art of Daryl Dickson by Daryl Dickson (Exisle Publishing) is out now.

Celebrating Australia's Magnificent Wildlife

The Art of Daryl Dickson

by Daryl Dickson

The Art of Daryl Dickson is a celebration of her diverse style and beautiful work.

From black-winged stilts to brushtail possums, see the variety and colour of Australian wildlife contained in one wonderful book. Dickson's passion for the conservation of wildlife and...

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