A few months ago, The University of Michigan Press and Michigan Sea Grant published a book to which I contributed over 50 illustrations of fishes: Guide to Great Lakes Fishes by Gerald R. Smith. The book is meant to aide in the identification of fishes in the Great Lakes. I like its waterproof pages and pleasing layout.

shorthead redhorse

Of all my fish illustrations in the book, this Shorthead redhorse is one of my favorite.

I worked on the illustrations sporadically over a period of several years, doing most of the renderings with colored pencils. I originally created some of them for other publications, though I produced many specifically for this book. At every step, I was very fortunate to have had the enthusiastic guidance of the author. Thanks, Jerry!