Since leaving college in 1988 he has worked as a freelance artist. In 1989 he won the Richard Richardson Award and has twice been runner up in Bird Illustrator of the Year. He was commissioned by the RSBP to illustrate their 1994, 1997 and 1999 calendars plus numerous educational poster designs and greeting cards. Books illustrated include, Waders of Europe, Asia and North America (sole illustrator) published December 2005 by A & C Black, The Birds of Greece, Bill Oddie's Birds of Britain and Ireland, A Countryman's Diary, several of the Where to Watch Birds In Series, Bird Watchers Pocket Fieldguide, plate artwork for A Field Guide to The Birds of South East Asia and cover designs for the RSPB Handbook of British Birds.

He paints in a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolour and gouache where he either captures the species as a detailed portrait or alternatively is conscious at times to portray wildlife within the 'bigger picture' of its natural habitat. Visit Stephen's website at www.message-wildlife-art.co.uk/index.htm

Wallcreeper - 2nd February 2008 - Boulogne Cliffs, France

My only good sighting of Wallcreeper was in the Spanish Pyrenees some 19 years ago, so with news of one just across the Channel a day trip to France was in order. The bird showed extremely well on a calm sunny day enabling me to produce these sketches from my video footage and scribbles made on the day.