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February 2002 Sketchbook

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, 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 recently 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

Guillemot, 29th January 2002, Wivenhoe
High tide on the Colne at Wivenhoe after a day of storms found this Guillemot paddling tamely along the waters edge. It allowed good views as it drifted slowly past on the ebbing tide.

Black-necked Grebe,10th February 2002, Alresford Creek
A dry and sunny Sunday morning after the recent wind and rain, and I’m watching a Black-necked Grebe on a small gravel pit a few miles from home. A delightful bird, it’s red eye glowing in the sunshine as it dived amongst the flooded willow stems.

Red Kites, 18th February 2002, The Chilterns

A slight diversion from a research trip to Ibstone in the Chilterns produced a raptor spectacular. Red Kites everywhere, calling, chasing, wheeling, inter-acting with buzzards, at one time I had eleven overhead, and twenty in view scanning around. A fantastic sight in the late afternoon sunshine.

Slavonion Grebe, 13th February 2002, West Mersea

Afternoon high tide found me at West Mersea looking for divers and grebes. Rather quiet apart from this Slavonion Grebe diving close inshore, a good comparison with the Black-necked seen a few days before. This bird having a more gently sloping crown with the peak at the rear, whiter cheeks and a thicker bill, but as with the Black-necked the red eye showed up well even at a distance as it drifted away on the tide.

February 2002 Sketchbook 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, 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 recently 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

Guillemot, 29th January 2002, Wivenhoe High tide on the Colne at Wivenhoe after a day of storms found this Guillemot paddling tamely along the waters edge. It allowed good views as it drifted slowly past on the ebbing tide.

Black-necked Grebe,10th February 2002, Alresford Creek A dry and sunny Sunday morning after the recent wind and rain, and I’m watching a Black-necked Grebe on a small gravel pit a few miles from home. A delightful bird, it’s red eye glowing in the sunshine as it dived amongst the flooded willow stems.

Red Kites, 18th February 2002, The Chilterns A slight diversion from a research trip to Ibstone in the Chilterns produced a raptor spectacular. Red Kites everywhere, calling, chasing, wheeling, inter-acting with buzzards, at one time I had eleven overhead, and twenty in view scanning around. A fantastic sight in the late afternoon sunshine.

Slavonion Grebe, 13th February 2002, West Mersea Afternoon high tide found me at West Mersea looking for divers and grebes. Rather quiet apart from this Slavonion Grebe diving close inshore, a good comparison with the Black-necked seen a few days before. This bird having a more gently sloping crown with the peak at the rear, whiter cheeks and a thicker bill, but as with the Black-necked the red eye showed up well even at a distance as it drifted away on the tide.