An interview with documentary filmmaker and wildlife artist, Julia Barnes
We are in absolute awe every time we’re scrolling on Instagram and we see one of Julia’s incredible illustrations pop up. Saying they’re realistic is an understatement - they truly capture the essence and beauty of the ocean creatures she chooses to document, and celebrates their uniqueness in the most detailed way possible. We wanted to speak to Julia about her process and how, with so much choice in the ocean, how she chooses who’s next.
Who are you?
My name is Julia Barnes. I’m a wildlife artist, illustrator, and documentary filmmaker. The ocean is my passion, and for the last decade, marine conservation has been the main focus of my work. I’ve used film to tell stories about the ocean’s most pressing issues. But my oldest, and probably best skill, is painting.
Recently, I’ve been attempting to figure out how best to use art in service of the natural world. Some of my illustrations can be found in a short video I made about the perils of deep sea mining. I used time lapses of the illustration process to help viewers visualize concepts that would have been impossible to capture on film.
I also spend a lot of time painting sea creatures just because I find them beautiful. With my art, I hope to inspire in others the same love and fascination that I feel towards the ocean.
Marine species seem to be a big focus of your illustrations, how do you choose which species to draw?
I’m shark-obsessed, so sharks are my default, and probably the overwhelming majority of my paintings feature them.
I take a lot of inspiration from my own experiences in the ocean. While filming Sea of Life, I was lucky to meet so many incredible species – whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, crocodiles…
It definitely helps to have the first-hand knowledge from observing an animal up close. To use a funny example: I’ve seen so many artists online painting whale sharks blue, and I just want to scream “whale sharks aren’t blue!” They’re brown. It’s the way colour fades at depth that makes them appear blue in photos.
On a deeper level, it helps to feel the presence of the creature you’re painting, to watch the way they move, get a sense of their personality. It can influence the way you portray them. But, that’s a luxury that isn’t always possible.
That was definitely the case for a project I did about the biodiversity of the deep sea. I was working on a poster to combat a myth perpetuated by the seabed mining industry that the deep ocean is a “lifeless desert.” Most of the species I illustrated live so far down they’re inaccessible to divers (at least without a submersible). I relied on reference images and videos, which is what I always do for species I haven’t seen in person.
When I’m stuck for illustration ideas, I ask for suggestions on Instagram. The suggestions I get are usually species I would never have thought of – and I love that.
Talk us through your artistic process from inspiration to finished product.
Once I know which species I’m working on, I spend a lot of time collecting reference images. I like to draw from several photos, as some will pick up certain details better than others. I might watch videos to get a sense of a species I’m unfamiliar with.
Next, I sketch directly onto the watercolour paper. This is just an outline of key features. I keep the pencil marks light so I can erase them later.
I usually start with a light wash of watercolour to fill the shape of the subject. Then, I build up darker layers bit by bit. With watercolour, it’s important to let the paper dry fully between each layer. This means you work for a few minutes, then wait for up to half an hour, then work for a few more minutes. This goes on and on.
When I get to the more detailed parts, I tend to bounce around the image from one section to the next. Working on a fin, for example, when the gills are drying. Some part of me is often drawn to subjects with repetitive details – like spots, stripes, or patterns over the whole animal. It can become a meditative process working on these, and I can be immersed for hours.
The final step is drawing a thin black outline around the subject. I typically leave the background blank, and the outline adds contrast, helping the sea creature stand out.
What do you hope that your artwork inspires for those seeing it?
Art is a powerful medium for communication. An image can spark curiosity, build connection, and invite empathy. It can draw the viewer into a part of the planet they may never have considered.
With my illustrations, I hope to capture a bit of the magic of the underwater world, and to encourage everyone to take action for our blue planet.
What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever drawn?
That’s a tough question! I think so far, the illustration I’m most impressed with is the crocodile.
Although my favourite species to paint appears to be the tiger shark because I’ve done more iterations of them than any other animal. I particularly love one where I included a dark background.
What would be your dream commission?
Doing the illustrations for a book about all the shark species in the world. One of every known shark.
What is next for you and your artwork/filmmaking?
I’m just finishing up a flamboyant cuttlefish – they have incredible colouration, and when you look closely, their skin is covered in tiny little dots. It’s been fun painting all of those. I’ll be sharing the finished illustration soon.
I’ve started filming for a new documentary.
Follow Julia on Instagram to see even more of her truly epic work, and check out her website if you fancy owning your very own Julia-created masterpiece!
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