One of the UK’s best-known illustrators is inspiring visitors to explore Caerlaverock Wetland Centre near Dumfries.
The new Sir Quentin Blake’s Drawn To Water experience was launched on Thursday with three new seasonal trails re-imagining the wonder of wetlands and nature through his eyes, from now until February.
At WWT Caerlaverock the amazing nature that arrives each season will be shared with visitors armed with guides using selected illustrations from Sir Quentin showing “new life, sparkling water and visiting birds”.
The trails will run alongside a range of art and illustration activities to inspire all ages and abilities.
There will be frames at various viewpoints, providing opportunities to take photos and observe different aspects of the wetland, and prompts people use their senses and connect with the natural surroundings.
On Wednesdays and weekends from 11am to 4pm, there is chance to give watercolour painting a go, trying to recreate a landscape scene from a photo at one of the framed views.
Anna Barlow, visitor experience officer at the reserve, said: “This is a brilliant partnership to enhance engagement of all our visitors with wetland nature as it evolves through the seasons.”
Sir Quentin said: “This project appealed to me because I have a lifelong fascination of drawing wetland wildlife, especially birds.
“Through Drawn to Water I hope that seeing my artwork in places where these creatures are thriving will allow new audiences to enjoy wetland wildlife as much as I do, perhaps prompting a few people to pick up a pen, pencil or even a quill and do their own drawing.”
