Black Swans and Dragonflies

First I'd like to mention a very talented illustrator, Genie Espinosa, who is holding a giveaway over on her blog - click here to see her post and how to enter, there are lovely prizes up for grabs!  I for one will be entering - and be sure to check out the rest of her blog too - it's great!

I haven't posted much recently as work has been so busy, but I have the time again now!  Here are a few pictures inspired by my cycle rides along the river.  These were done with dipping pen and ink again, and I used some photo reference to get the shapes right.

It was so amazing when my boyfriend and I saw the black swan!  It was beautiful!  I had never seen one before, it was like coming across a fantasy creature.  And with what seemed like hundreds of blue dragonflies darting about along the river, it was a very memorable afternoon!