Illustration

Archaeology is a highly visual discipline. We identify the ancient sites and objects which make up archaeological evidence with our eyes, and when we record, discuss and present it, photography and drawing are as vital as written text. Many archaeologists tend to leave image-creation other than, perhaps, photography to professional illustrators and CGI specialists, making me fairly unusual in being an academic archaeologist who draws.

I have loved drawing since I was a child, and started to enjoy photography at university. Since then, I have learned to bring them together using computers. Visual representation, initially through line illustration and black-and-white photography, has always been an integral part of my own academic research into ancient artefacts and built environments.

In my research I make pencil sketches, and like to create my own illustrations for articles and books. I prepare line drawings in ink on drafting film, and when other work permits--all too rarely--like to paint. My preferred painting medium is gouache, which on art board is fast, satisfyingly substantial, but also forgiving of mistakes....

Editing photographs, either to use directly or as base materials for drawings and paintings, has gradually evolved into creating images by photomanipulation. Having become reasonably competent with Adobe Photoshop, I also learned Adobe Illustrator.