Trevor Smith talks about his experiences in sketching wild birds in watercolours.

"Having had a lifelong interest in nature and drawing I find immense pleasure communicating my feelings to others through art.

Displaying Eiders by Trevor Smith

Watercolour is both a challenging and expressive medium providing one can cope with its sometimes capricious nature.

My subject matter derives from the effects of nature and the beauty to be enjoyed out of doors.

Wildlife is an integral element of any environment and I try to depict it as such rather than as isolated portraits, after all what is a caged eagle without its Scottish mountain habitat.

I have long been involved with nature conservation as both volunteer and an employee and feel compelled to contribute towards its protection.

Heron by Trevor Smith

Art is an excellent means of reaching a wide audience and drawing attention to the global plight of natural environments.

My book ‘Sketching Wild Birds’ with foreword by Bill Oddie was officially launched in 2002 and was borne of the need to explain the techniques that can be used to simplify a wild encounter!

Above all my motivation was to encourage all to enjoy the experience of sharing the lives of wild birds

In addition to painting and drawing those that I am able to study personally - the birds and wildlife of Britain - I also enjoy teaching students on my one and two day workshops at Nature in Art, Slimbridge WWT and Bevere Vivis.

A selection of my work is always in show at Bevere Vivis Gallery and Picture Framers, Worcester where I have been the Featured Artist of the month for May in association with Worcestershire’s Wildlife Week and the RSPB’s Wake up to Birds campaign.