Original artwork description:

This piece is a commission for someone who is really into bugs and his favourite beetle is the stag beetle!

First I created a watercolour painting of different patterns and shapes using the colours found on these beetles. As well as watercolours, I've also used Posca pens and gold ink.
The painting was then cut into the stag beetle shapes and rounded to create a three dimensional effect.

I masked off a square in the middle of another piece of watercolour paper and used black watercolour and gold ink to splatter across it forming the base for the beetles.

Each beetle is mounted on a small foam board plinth to enhance the three dimensional effect and this helps to cast interesting shadows depending on where the light is coming from.

The whole piece is framed in a glazed, deep hardwood box frame.

Please do get in touch if you are interested in commissioning something similar. I can create watercolours in any colour, or combination of colours, and the subject matter can be anything. Although these pieces look more interesting if there are lots of parts sticking out! So legs and wings are great :)

Materials used:

Watercolour on watercolour paper, foam board, and a hardwood deep box frame

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