NATURE ILLUSTRATION FOR TIR NATUR: A REWILDING CHARITY IN WALES

"Katherine’s attention to detail is exceptional, setting her apart as an illustrator. The artwork reflects our mission and values closely, bringing our ethos beautifully to life and helping to vividly tell our story."

Tasha Reilly – Chair of Trustees, Tir Natur

Detail image of Tir Natur's vision print with a long horned cow and goldfinch in the foreground and mosaic landscape behind

Overview

Tir Natur, a Welsh rewilding charity, approached me to help bring their vision of a Wilder Wales to life through nature illustration. The charity commissioned me to create a series of hand-drawn illustrations for their marketing brochure along with a striking vision piece that brings their mission and future plans to life—using illustration for conservation to tell a story that words alone can’t capture. The goal was to create emotionally resonant art that effectively conveys their environmental mission to the public in an engaging way.

This project was particularly meaningful to me, as it allowed me to combine my love for wildlife conservation with my passion for detailed, hand-drawn illustration. In total, I provided two double-page spreads, five single-page drawings and four spot illustrations.

Hand-drawn illustrated print showing a rich Welsh landscape with native wildlife, including trees, rivers, birds, and grazing animals--created for Tir Natur's rewilding project.

Close-up of a hand-drawn illustration featuring an eagle in flight, an oak tree, a woodpecker, and a jay--part of a rewilding-themed print for Tir Natur.

Detail image showing a pig, and badger in a rewilded landscape with a river in the background for Tir Natur

About Tir Natur

Tir Natur is working to secure a 1,000+ acre flagship rewilding site in Wales—the largest ecosystem restoration project in the country. With wild grazing at its core, traditional breeds of cattle, ponies, and pigs will help regenerate the land as their wild ancestors once did. The project will restore biodiversity, hold water, capture carbon, and reconnect people with nature—offering hope (gobaith) for a wilder, thriving future in Wales.

Process photos showing the hand-drawing stages of wildlife and landscape illustrations created for Tir Natur’s rewilding project--featuring pencil and ink techniques.

Creative Process

The brief called for a series of illustrations that would convey the beauty and ecological richness of a rewilded Welsh landscape. I worked closely with the Tir Natur team to understand their vision and values, ensuring that the artwork aligned with their message of hope, biodiversity, and regeneration.

Everything is drawn by hand. I used traditional media—pens, inks, and watercolours—to capture the richness of native flora and fauna, as well as the texture and interest of the mosaic landscape created through rewilding principles. This artistic impression and my style of drawing was a perfect fit for the charity’s ethos, bringing warmth, character, and a sense of authenticity to their branding as well as being an accurate depiction of the wildlife we hope to see in that landscape.

As the charity said in their newsletter ‘Katherine is an Architect turned artist, whose style lends itself perfectly to rewilding which, in essence, looks to restore the architecture of nature itself.’

Printed brochures for Tir Natur featuring several illustrations, including an aerial map of a rewilding landscape, blooming wildflowers, and growing acorns--part of a nature-focused marketing design.

Deliverables

- 2 double-page spreads depicting immersive landscapes with wildlife scenes
- 5 standalone single-page illustrations highlighting key species and habitats
- 4 spot illustrations used throughout the brochure for visual cohesion and added charm

Final Drawings

The illustrations were featured in Tir Natur’s printed and digital brochure, which was widely distributed to supporters, donors, stakeholders and environmental partners. The visuals played a key role in storytelling and advocacy, helping to emotionally connect viewers to the charity’s mission.

“Katherine was commissioned by Tir Natur to illustrate our marketing brochures. Her quality of work is extraordinarily detailed and accurate. The artwork reflects our mission and values closely, bringing our ethos beautifully to life and helping to vividly tell our story. The work was provided in a timely manner and within budget.

Katherine’s attention to detail is exceptional, setting her apart as an illustrator.

Our partners have been very impressed by the illustrations in our publications and they prove a valuable asset and talking point.

- Tasha Reilly, Chair of Trustees, Tir Natur

Brochure page from Tir Natur featuring a hand-drawn illustration of native wildflowers--part of a rewilding-themed conservation campaign.

Illustrated brochure page showing detailed drawings of bracken and acorns, created for Tir Natur’s nature restoration project.

Reflection

This project was a joy to undertake. It not only allowed me to contribute to a cause I care deeply about, but it also pushed me to deepen my skills in landscape and wildlife illustration. Collaborating with Tir Natur was both creatively fulfilling and professionally enriching.

Close-up of the vision print for Tir Natur, highlighting long-horned cattle grazing among gorse, with a hedgehog and goldfinch--capturing key species in a rewilded Welsh landscape.

If you’re a conservation organisation or charity looking for impactful, hand-drawn illustrations, I’d love to hear from you. I offer a 20% discount on nature-focused commissions — let’s bring your story to life visually.

GET IN TOUCH