Package Design Botanical Illustration
Macadamia Illustration Project – Flowers & Leaves in Watercolour
Today I’m sharing a closer look at a recent commercial illustration project that’s passed across my studio desk, and it’s been a beautifully challenging one that I have loved bringing together.
This series focuses on macadamia elements, all rendered in watercolour for use across a range of product labels for a well-known brand. It’s the kind of work that really leans into precision and patience. There are no shortcuts here, just careful, skilled application and a lot of focused time at the desk to produce high quality illustrations for my clients. An intricate puzzle to unpick, and very much the sort of detailed work I love (and often teach), its just at a much smaller, more refined scale.
The brief itself was highly specific, as commercial illustration generally is. Beyond simply creating beautiful illustrations, there were many layers to consider: versatility, beauty, structure, placement, scale, relationships between elements, colour notes, and how everything would ultimately function within a flexible design system. It’s a reminder that illustration at this level is as much about problem-solving as it is about artistry.
Stage 1: The Flowers
We began with the macadamia flowers, and when my client noted they were extremely happy with the early stages of its emergence, I was able to move through the remainder of the work with confidence I was on track. Its not about my ability, its about being able to match another persons ideas and vision with the work.
After many hours of work, the first flower riddle came together, and it was time to create the second.A second flower illustration gives our design far more diversity, so as much as these macadamia flower studies are fiddly, it was wonderful to work with both. They are of course similar, but there are subtle differences between them that make a really solid pairing for the final design. It’s always satisfying to see these forms come together, and I think they’ll look truly beautiful out in the world on the finished product.
Stage 2: The Leaves
The second stage shifts focus to the leaves, with a combination of both clustered and individual studies. Some of these will take center stage, while others will quietly support in the background, adding depth and richness to the final design. Again, the brief guided everything. Each leaf needed to sit comfortably within a larger visual system, working not just as a standalone illustration but as part of a cohesive whole. It’s a lot more than just making pretty pictures… though, to be fair, that’s still a part I very much enjoy.
From the initial drawing through to layered watercolour application, building each leaf up gradually to bring it to life was very different to the flowers, but also took time. On their own, they’ve become quite a luxurious and beautiful study in itself, and together, they will be something special.
Theres more to come with this project for me, so ill leave you with this insight and return to it… I cant wait to see these on the shelves!