This is the first of several studies of swallowtail butterflies that I will be posting. I received a collection of butterfly specimens as a very kind gift from Ayub (www.aminart.co.uk) - a natural history photographer.

For this study, I have used Karismacolor pencils which have a wonderful consistency, allowing for a certain amount of mixing and blending. For such beautiful creatures, this medium is ideal.

I also used the same medium for an earlier study of an owl butterfly from the same collection.