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Richard Allen

Tobago, April 2006

Smew

Richard Allen: 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, Richard's work has gradually drifted towards his 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 he lives 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". Current projects include a book on Birds of Paradise and illustrating a regular gardening column in "The Times" newspaper.

Richard has moved to Wivenhoe on the Colne estuary, next to a wood with Nightingales and woodpeckers to tempt him 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


A glorious family holiday in the sun escaping the cold winds of the English East coast, and lots of good birds to see as well. Tobago is a bird artist's dream, the birds are tame, and many places, such as the Grafton Estate and Adventure Farm, have feeding stations where the birds are even more approachable. The following sketches were made on a two-week holiday, fitted in around family commitments, (beaches, snorkelling, restaurants etc), and I hope give a flavour of the  birding.

Blue-grey Tanager and some of the other species regularly seen around our apartment.

 

Rufous-tailed Jacamar were very common around the Island, but this my first one, at Englishman’s Bay was special. White-winged Swallow was an unusual find at Castara.

 

Purple Honeycreeper and White-necked Jacobin were just a couple of the myriad of species on view from the balcony at the Asa Wright Centre during a day trip to Trinidad with guide Newton George.

 

White-throated Spadebill, a tricky species to get in the Main Ridge forest of Tobago, but after a prolonged search our guide Peter Cox found this obliging bird.

 

Ruby Topaz Hummingbird. The fruiting and flowering plants around our apartment attracted a wealth of birds, none more exquisite than this little hummer.