It’s decision time again! Which beetle will be my next drawing? Please help me out. These are all stunning in their own way and I just can’t decide. Please leave a comment with your preference 🪲 #beetleart #beetle #illustration #wildlifeart #entomology #insectsofinstagram #insect #artwork #artist #insectart #coleoptera #beetles #beetlelovers #insectlovers #decision #drawing #choose #colours

✨Me, my artwork, sustainability and ethics ✨   As a child I have fond memories visiting the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. They had rooms filled with all kinds of insects. It involved pulling up a plastic cover to reveal glass cases where the press of a button would light up the contents. This is where my fascination for insects was born. An interest that I have recently reignited and combined with my love for illustration.   The artwork I create is, in many respects, very similar to other admirable and talented artists out there that specialise in insect art. An important part in my process is acquiring real specimens for using as direct reference. Partly because I love the whole process, and partly because I feel proud to show off my own unique artwork.   As a collector of insects, it’s important to find sources that are sustainable. I often forage around the forests here in Sweden looking for passed insects. However, this is very limiting, and with the abundance of fascinating insects around the globe, I would be daft not to look further afield. I have several contacts where I am assured their insects are from sustainable sources. For example specially bred on insect farms and butterfly houses where no trade in protected rare species occurs. Often they are farmed or wild caught by native peoples to help supplement their incomes in poorer countries.   But, can I call this ethical? Well that’s a very subjective issue. Yes. I believe my insects are sourced ethically. I am doing what I can to ensure wild populations and biotopes are not decimated. If I feel that a trader is not being transparent or simply not adhering to what I feel is ethical then I will not buy from them. This also raises the question - how are the insects handled and how are they preserved? From my sources, I am informed they are well kept and not overcrowded when farm bred. They are put to sleep quickly with ether and preserved through dehydration. This for me is acceptable and I am very happy with the decisions I make in my hobby. Please let me know your thoughts on these matters and thanks for your support! #ethical #sustainable #entomology #illustrator #insects #beetle #artist

Most of the time I spend drawing is dedicated to applying colours to the paper. But how do I correct mistakes (yes they are made), erase colours or add highlights? More often than not I do actually have a plan on how to make my illustrations look realistic. Often this involves making the hard bodies of the beetles I draw look shiny. Sometimes I leave white paper for highlights. Sometimes I add white pencil marks, erase small areas or use a gel pen. There are many techniques that can be used here. How do you correct your mistakes or add highlights to your artwork? I use the following: ⚪️ White gel pens ⚪️ Tombow erasers (Mono Zero) ⚪️ Caran d’ache Luminance White ⚪️ Faber Castell Water Based Varnish pencil ⚪️ (Ready to test) Faber Castell Pitt Pastel Soft White ⚪️ Faber Castell Art Eraser . . . . . . #mistakes #erase #eraser #fabercastell #carandache #tombow #tombowmonozero #monozero #zebrasarasa #gellyroll #artwork #beetleart #beetlesofinstagram #insect #insectsofinstagram #drawing #illustration

Just unpinned this quintet of gorgeous jewel beetles. 🪲🌈✨ They will be the subject of an upcoming illustration. Oh and also the impressive looking stag beetle. Don’t forget him! I need to step up my photo/film game to be able to capture these colours. The film does absolutely no justice to these colours. . . . . . . . . #stagbeetle #juwelbeetle #beetle #insects #entomology #photography #beetles #beetlelovers #entomologist #insectart #rainbow #colours #colors

I love just diving in and selecting colours as I go! The current set of pencils I use are Polychromos from Faber Castell. A total of 120 different colours. I seem to always manage to find the one I need. How do you go about colour management for your drawings and paintings?

Another gorgeous beetle being prepared in a water/alcohol mix before spreading and pinning. This is the stag beetle Odontolabis ludekingi from Sumatra, Indonesia. The position was almost perfect for my needs, but the antennae were folded back so I need to relax the whole insect to place these exactly how I want. Really looking forward to drawing this one sometime in the near future! Get in touch if you want to know more about my collection, methods, and art! #beetle #entomology #beetleart #insect #insectsofinstagram #stagbeetle #odontolabisludekingi #bugs #nyköping #artist #realart #passion #hobby #insectlovers

✨ Newly completed artwork ✨ Swipe for more pics 👉 This is the five-horned rhinoceros beetle (Eupatorus gracilicornis), and can be found in China, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Unlike most other Rhinoceros beetles, which have two horns, E. gracilicornis has five: two extending laterally from each side of the prothorax, and one larger than the rest extending anteriorly from the center of the head. Its thick, shiny exoskeleton is jet-black, while its forewings are a varied shade of golden yellow. The species is capable of flight, albeit not very efficient flight due to its large size (ranging from 50mm to 95mm) and relatively weak wings. The specific beetle I have drawn is from my own collection, and I think you might agree that it truly is a magnificent looking beetle! Prints will be available to order from my online store soon... (Send a DM if you are interested) . . . . . . . #illustrator #sweden #nyköping #beetle #beetleart #entomology #insect #taxidermy #entomologyart #bug #entomologyphotography #entomologyartist #entomologycollection #beetlelovers #insectart #insectillustration #insectsofinstagram #wildlife #wildlifeart #insectlovers #insectcollection #insectagram #naturalist #insectsofinstagram #rhinobeetle #rhinocerosbeetle #Eupatorusgracilicornis #polychromos #finishedartwork

My latest drawing using polychromos pencils. The magnificent five-horned rhinoceros beetle, Eupatorus gracilicornis. I really love how this one turned out! What do you think? . . . . . . . #illustrator #sweden #nyköping #beetle #beetleart #entomology #insect #taxidermy #entomologyart #bug #entomologyphotography #entomologyartist #entomologycollection #beetlelovers #insectart #insectillustration #insectsofinstagram #wildlife #wildlifeart #insectlovers #insectcollection #insectagram #naturalist #insectsofinstagram #rhinobeetle #rhinocerosbeetle #Eupatorusgracilicornis #polychromos #finishedartwork

Just some duotone beetle drawing for fun. #duotone #beetles #illustration #drawing #beetle #beetleart #insect #insectart #entomologycollection #entomology #beetlelovers #insectlovers #insectsofinstagram #colours #sweden #scotland #nyköping #artwork #fun #coleoptera #coleopteraart