In this instalment of our Wildlife Portfolio series we take a look at the work of William Helps, a wildlife artist based in Rosscarbery in Co. Cork. Click on any of the images in the portfolio below to open up a larger version and scroll through the gallery.

About William Helps

I was born in Skibbereen, County Cork in 1978. As far back as I can remember I have drawn and painted the natural world around me and it was this interest that led me to study Scientific and Natural History Illustration at Blackpool & the Fylde college from where I graduated with an honors degree in the year 2000.

As a passionate angler I feel compelled to draw and paint fish. The variety of species provides a vast array of forms and colour from which I glean my inspiration. I paint mainly using watercolor and with it I try to achieve detail and accuracy.

As well as illustrating books my work has been shown at a number of exhibitions including.The Belfast Angling exhibition, 2006. Exposition, Baie Des Arts, Calcase Brittany, 2007. Fish Art, The Interactive Art Studio, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 2007. I have also been commissioned to paint animals and fish for private collections.

William is currently working on a new website to showcase his artwork — we’ll add a link here as soon as its available.