Nz Lizards

New Zealand has a vast number of gecko and skink species - indeed, more are still being discovered. Thus choosing which ones to illustrate proved to be a bit of a challenge. They all look much the same in terms of shape and in many cases, colour, so I have selected some of the more common or widespread species. Many of the species also have different colour morphs, so whilst they are related genetically, the ones in Canterbury might look different from their North Island counterparts.

Our lizards are special in that they do not lay eggs - all but one of our gecko and skink species are viviparious. Because our conditions are colder than those of their tropical counterparts, retaining the eggs inside the body while they develop means that the female can move to a warmer position if the need requires. The one exception is the appropriately (if rather boringly) named Egg-laying skink (which is also semi-aquatic) which I have drawn on a previous occasion.

Geckos have large eyes and prehensile tails and live an aboreal existence. They have long, fleshy tongues and frequently lick their eyes as they are unable to close them. NZ has both nocturnal and diurnal species, but traditionally geckos are nocturnal. We have over 40 different species.

Skinks are sleek and lean, they move fast and are usually to be found on the ground, particularly amongst rotting wood or loose stones. They are active during the day. We have more than 50 different species.

Forest Gecko


Elegant Gecko

Common Skink


Scree Skink

As you can see, I find lizards more of a challenge to draw than birds or mammals, so there will likely be more of these before I complete my collection.

Toreapango, the Variable Oystercatcher

There are two species of oystercatcher to be found in New Zealand. The South Island Pied (which also lives in the North Island, but doesn't breed there) and this fellow, the Variable Oystercatcher. Anyone who frequently beach walks should be familiar with these striking black and white (or just black) birds, and their strident alarm calls are a frequent sound. There are two colour morphs to the Variable - the pied and the pure black. Pied Variables can be distinguished from the SIPO by the less distinct band between the black and the white, which on the SIPO runs up the bird's shoulder as well. They are also slightly larger. Pure black birds are more common in the South Island than the North, but this speices is widespread across both. It favours a coastal habitat and is not found inland, although will forage in pasture that borders the coast.

The name "oystercatcher" comes from his diet, which includes molluscs - although not oysters, which he places upright in the sand and then pries open with his bill, or if that doesn't work, he'll hammer it open. He also enjoys marine worms, crabs and occasionally even small fish. When catching marine worms, he fishes them from their burrow with that long, useful bill and then might choose to rinse it off in water before gulping it down.

In winter, oystercatchers gather in flocks of 50 or more, but during spring they pair off and establish their own territory. This they defend by performing noisy "piping dances" - bowing their heads and running with short, quick steps and calling in high-pitched trills that slowly die away. The nest is a scrape in the sand, usually near rocks, driftwood or some sort of cover and in this are laid two or three cryptically coloured eggs. Chicks are able to leave the nest at two days old but remain with their parents for some time. Both adults and chicks are capable of swimming for short distances if required and if danger threatens, they prefer to run rather than to take flight.

Whilst the SIPO is a subspecies of the Pied Oystercatcher, found in other parts of the world, the Variable is found only in New Zealand.

A bunch of bugs

Since I have illustrated the majority of New Zealand's native birds, I have moved on now to some of the less loveable creatures that share their islands with us. Here's the first selection - and I imagine there shall be more to come!

I believe these species are all endemic to our country, although some look rather similar to those found elsewhere.

Helm's Stag beetle and Flower Longhorn


Manuka Beetle


3-lined Hoverfly and Stick Insect

Black-headed Jumping Spider and Square-ended Crab Spider


Praying Mantis and Seashore Earwig


Mole Cricket and New Zealand Grasshopper

Scooby the Greyhound

This piece was commissioned for Lynne Turnbull, it is an Art Card sized portrait of her deceased greyhound, Scooby.

If you want to commission a piece of art of your own - I am offering commissions in exchange for donations made to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal - check out: http://art4christchurch.blogspot.com for more details.

The Avatar inspired art continues!

The Firebending Masters - Ram and Shaw

The Koi spirits representing Yin and Yang.

Friendship is Magic

When I was young, I had a My Little Pony - in fact I had three, and I still have them (Skyflier, Bowtie and Baby Ribbon). And it seems that ever since the 80s, My Little Pony has still been around, recently coming to the forefront again with the new series "Friendship is Magic." It is oddly addictive. Anyhow, I allowed myself to be lured into a "My Little Pony" themed ATC swap, and decided to draw some of the characters.

But I just couldn't get the new design right - these new hydrocephilic cat-horses just do not look right when I try and replicate them. So, with a resigned sigh, I pulled down and dusted off Skyflier (back from G1, when MLP actually looked like horses) and used her as a model. More-or-less.

Here's the results:

Rainbow Dash is the favourite of the swap hostess (although I'm not so fond of her myself), Twilight Sparkles is one of my favourite characters (cos she's a bit like me), Fluttershy is cute but so, so timid! And Nightmare Moon was just a nifty design.

I might draw Pinkie Pie, who is my other favourite character, at a later date. And because I've drawn two pegasus and one unicorn but no earth pony!

I was told I was not allowed to design my own pony for the swap - she wanted "real" ponies only, but I could not resist drawing up my Kat pony for the backing:

Her cutie mark is a book, of course. I have Rose Moonfeather to thank for the original design of the LemurKat pony.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Avatar: The Last Airbender is an amazing and addictive series featuring martial arts based around the four elements/Nations - fire, water, earth and air. Most of the people belong to one of the Nations and some have abilities to "bend" them - which is manipulating that element to their advantage. Only one person can master all the elements - the Avatar. Every generation an Avatar is born into the world, but 100 years ago the Avatar vanished. In his absence, the Fire Nation grew to dominate the world, spreading fear and discord. That is until the day two teenagers from the Southern Water Tribe find the Avatar frozen in ice. Now, with their help, he must master all the elements and set things right.

Avatar has great characters, each with their own unique personalities, a beautifully crafted world and a well developed plot. And a lot of very nifty hybrid critters. It also features a flying lemur called "Momo".

Having watched the entire three seasons in a little under three weeks, I developed a little bit of an obsession with it and began hosting the "Avatar" swap on AFA. Although the participants only need to create 3 cards, I decided to draw the chimerical monsters. And just kept going.

So, here they are. Now, because my usual style is cartoonish and cute and because Avatar is a cartoon, I decided to illustrate these in my alternative style - semi realistic (that is to say - as realistic as I get).

Appa, the Flying Bison: He's big and floofy and smarter than he looks! Appa is Ang's Animal Guide. Alledgedly, the Airbenders learned airbending from the Flying Bison.









Firebending Dragon
And the firebenders learned firebending from the dragons.










The Badgermole taught the Earthbenders their skills.











Momo, the flying Lemur is of course MY favourite (I might keep this one)










And we also have:
Flopsie; the Reptilebird;
Slim the Catgator; Foofoo Cuddlypoofs,
Koalasheep; Toucanpuffin;
Purple Pentapus

And - of course:
the Platypus bear