Over the last few months, we’ve been working with award-winning illustrator, designer and animator Will Rose on a short film which celebrates the Solent coastline and its remarkable birds – as well as talking about how we can all play a part in helping them thrive.
Will’s passion for nature and love of telling a story has led him to make his own award-winning shorts as well as making animated films for people and organisations like David Attenborough, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the Sussex Wildlife Trust. He’s also worked on popular children’s shows such as Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee as an animator, designer and writer.
A self-proclaimed bird-nerd, Will has made animations for BBC Springwatch and created his very own animated bird guide for beginners, ‘What Bird is That?’, which you’ll find on Will’s website and on his YouTube channel. Last year he won the Mall Galleries /Federation of British Artists’ award at the Society of Wildlife Artists exhibition – the first time an illustrator has won this prestigious prize.
Award-winning illustrator and self-proclaimed ‘bird-nerd’, Will Rose
Will’s fascination for wildlife has led him to create work based on the environment around him, whether it is an artist residence in Maine, a hillside in Northern Spain or helping to depict the wildlife in the uplands of Sweden.
Having learnt from working on some of the most popular children’s shows around the world, Will has now turned his storytelling and design skills to work on projects that support the preservation of our precious wildlife and environment.
We were delighted when Will agreed to work with us on a project to celebrate the Solent and its birds. You can watch the short animated film by clicking below:
Will kindly agreed to answer a few of our questions – about his work on the project and why appreciating nature can inspire us to protect it, as well as the wellbeing benefits of time outdoors and his practical tips for anyone beginning to draw birds.
What did you enjoy about working on the Bird Aware Solent animation?
“I really love learning about birds myself. I’m not just an animator and designer, I’m a full on bird nerd! Learning about how the brent geese migrate to this specific spot each year was fascinating. Not to mention all the other birds like the striking oystercatcher and elegant curlew you can learn to spot while walking by the coastline.”
Will’s illustration of two oystercatchers watching passing walkers
Will’s illustration of a curlew
We love your animated bird guide for beginners, ‘What bird is that?’. Why do you think it’s important to help people learn how to start birdwatching?
“I think the more you learn to understand and appreciate nature, the more likely you will want to try and protect it. I was lucky to have parents interested in wildlife and was able to learn from them while out on a walk. I hope my bird guide gives those who aren’t so lucky, the nudge to get outside and start trying to appreciate and learn about the birds that are all around them.”
The natural sounds of nature seems an important element of your wildlife animations. Is that the case?
“Sound for me is the best way to identify birds. When we observe birds it’s often very quick. If we begin to learn the bird’s call we can then find it easier to identify the bird. It is the same with wading birds and geese. They are often quite a way out in the saltmarsh, but if you learn their calls you can start to pick them out just by sound even if you can’t see them too well.”
Your animation of wildlife in the woods at Longshaw formed part of BBC Springwatch’s Mindful Moments series. Do you think we get positive mental benefits from spending time in nature?
“I always say any walk is a good walk. As soon as I step out of the front door I feel the benefit of leaving the house. My senses are awakened and I am quickly on the hunt for what I might see while I’m outside.
“As I said before, the more you learn about nature the more you begin to appreciate it and it gives you such a wonderful feeling when you begin to recognise different species. There is no doubt being outside in nature is relaxing.
“Whether it is hearing the call of the first brent geese arriving, observing the sea kale in bloom or just feeling the breeze on your face. All of these awaken our senses and make us feel more grounded.”
Do you have any tips for someone starting out drawing birds? I believe you started by copying birds in books?
“I definitely started by copying from books. You can get some great second hand books in nature reserves and Natural Trust sites.
“The next stage is trying to capture what you see in the wild. There is no right or wrong. Sometimes I do artwork that is quite humorous, other times I make sure it is more accurate for identification.
“It’s also a good idea to practice drawing silhouettes of the birds shape as it is often how we first see the bird in the wild. Swifts, swallows and house martins look quite similar, but when you draw their shape you notice their different tail shapes and you’ll be well on the way to becoming a bird expert!”
