Small Tortoiseshell, Near Styal Woods, 2013

This is the next butterfly in the continuing theme of butterflies.  As I mentioned earlier this week, this is new territory for me (drawing butterflies).  I might push things further in the future and try out birds, it's been about 30 years since I last drew one.  This drawing is inspired by our many visits to the area around Manchester Airport and in particular, Styal.  There are areas of Styal that are full of meadows, wild flowers and thus butterflies.  I think a return to this area is long overdue.

Small Tortoiseshell, Near Styal Woods, graphite and coloured pencil, 2013, A3

Here are a couple of photos of this drawing while it was a work in progress.