Richard Allen "Silver and Gold"

Born in Newbury, Berkshire in 1964, an Art Foundation Course at Brighton was followed by a Degree in Graphic/Illustration at Kingston Polytechnic. Starting as a freelance illustrator in advertising, publishing and newspapers, my work has gradually drifted towards my main interest of birds and wildlife, especially after winning "British Birds", Bird Illustrator of the Year 1993. A keen birder from an early age, the bird rich estuaries and marshes of the Essex coast where I live have fuelled a passion for field-sketching. Recent travels to China, USA, S.E. Asia, Senegal and many parts of Europe have continued this interest and numerous sketchbooks have been filled. The experience gained in the field has been put to good use in the many books illustrated. These include, "Concise Birds of the Western Palearctic", "The Handbook of Birds of the World", "A Field Guide to the Birds of South East Asia" and the recently published "Sunbirds and Flowerpeckers" (Amazon USA link or Amazon UK link). Current projects include a book on Birds of Paradise and illustrating a regular gardening column in "The Times" newspaper. I have moved to Wivenhoe on the Colne estuary, next to a wood with Nightingales and woodpeckers to tempt me away from the drawing board. 1984 Foundation Studies, (Art & Design), Brighton Polytechnic 1987 BA Hons Graphic Design, Kingston Polytechnic 1988 Second Prize, Reader’s Digest Young Illustrators Competition 1993 Winner "British Birds" Bird Illustrator of the Year Competition Regularly exhibited at the Society of Wildlife Artists exhibition, Mall Galleries, London Silver and Gold Male Smew in winter afternoon light, with golden reflections of sky and willows. Smew are always irresistible to sketch, and a few turn up at Abberton Reservior each winter. Redhead Abberton reservoir, female Smew in low sunlight, drifting past sleeping Teal in the shadows. Display More Smew at Abberton, this time in bright sunshine and wind, the males gleaming white as they displayed to the females. Stonechat Male Stonechat wintering on local marsh at Wivenhoe, the reeds behind shimmering in the sun and breeze.