If you'd like to buy a drawing of a particular species from me, but you don't see it in my shop, please ask if I have it.
I have dozens of drawings in my filing cabinet, most of them are part of various large commissions
(I usually draw species separately and combine them on my computer when designing the final artwork, together with the text, if required),
so there's always a chance I might have exactly what you need :)

Irish bats drawings

Irish Bat Illustrations

I’ve been developing a series of illustrations of Irish bat species, exploring these fascinating nocturnal mammals through detailed drawing and natural-history illustration.

Bats have an unfortunate reputation. In folklore and popular culture, they are often associated with darkness, danger, and bloodsucking, yet bats in Ireland are harmless to people and play an important role in our ecosystems. They are insectivores that use echolocation to navigate and hunt, and a single bat can consume large numbers of insects at night.

Bats are also far more diverse than they might first appear. Around one in five mammal species worldwide is a bat, with more than 1,400 species found across the planet. They range from tiny species that could fit in the palm of your hand to some of the world's largest flying mammals.

For this series, I focused on species found in Ireland, including the soprano pipistrelle, Nathusius's pipistrelle and Daubenton's bat.

The soprano pipistrelle is one of Ireland's smallest bats and is widespread across the country. As its name suggests, its echolocation calls are at a higher frequency than those of the common pipistrelle, typically around 55 kHz.

The Nathusius's pipistrelle is a close relative of the common pipistrelle, but is less frequently encountered in Ireland. It is a migratory species, with individuals travelling considerable distances between breeding and wintering areas. Its compact body, relatively long wings and distinctive colouring make it an especially interesting subject to draw.

The Daubenton's bat is sometimes known as the 'water bat' because of its close association with rivers, lakes and other waterways. Its fluffy brownish-grey fur, pinkish face and broad wings give it a distinctive appearance, while its habit of hunting insects just above the surface of water makes it one of Ireland's particularly intriguing bat species.

I find bats fascinating subjects for wildlife illustration. Their anatomy, delicate wings, and highly specialised adaptations offer plenty to explore through drawing, and illustrating them is also an opportunity to challenge misconceptions about these often misunderstood animals.

For me, wildlife illustration is not only about representing an animal accurately. It is also about making people stop, look more closely and become curious about the species sharing their environment.

These Irish bat drawings are part of my wider exploration of Ireland's wildlife and natural history through traditional illustration.

Do you have a favourite Irish bat species, or are you a fan of bat art?