Sarah Trumble is a natural history illustrator based in Somerset, England. Her work combines the delicate medium of watercolor with a strong a desire for scientific accuracy, creating work that’s as aesthetic as it is informative. With subjects ranging from deer species like red, fallow and sika stags to more specialised game like wild boar, ibex and trout, she’s risen to the technical expectations of her audience and ensures anatomical precision in every piece. This is especially evident when capturing the animal’s gaze, which she considers essential to conveying life and realism.
Over time, Sarah’s artistic reach has extended well beyond the British countryside. While she’s known for depicting native wildlife, her portfolio now features a wide range of internationally recognised game. From the North American 29 to the African 29 – and species from South America and beyond – her paintings reflect a deep respect for animals across the globe. Whether it’s a familiar red stag or a lesser-known species from the other side of the world, each piece is painted with the same care, precision and love for detail that defines her signature style.
Sarah’s journey into the world of natural history illustration began in 1996 at Blackpool and Fylde College of Art and Design. She speaks highly of her tutor David Johnston, who was a professional parrot and macaw illustrator, describing him as “the first person whose opinion really mattered” to her. Johnston’s teaching method was simply to paint his own work and let the students learn by watching. Although a little unusual, Sarah describes how it gave her the opportunity to really concentrate on what choices to make and which techniques to master.
After completing her degree, Sarah stepped away from illustration to focus on raising her family and her art remained on hold for several years; however, in 2013, a thoughtful gift for a friend marked the beginning of Sarah’s return to Illustration. When the wedding of a gamekeeper friend was coming up, she decided that a present with a personal touch would be best and did a painting of his gun dog and pheasants. Though she admits she was “a bit rusty,” the result was meaningful — and the response gave her the quiet encouragement she needed. Not long after, a friend sent a draft roebuck print — without telling her — to the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation. The response was overwhelmingly positive and so began Sarah’s career as a wildlife illustrator.
As Sarah’s illustration career has grown, so has her business. What began with a handful of commissions has evolved into a varied offering of original artwork, giclée prints and custom commissions. Sarah regularly receives commission requests featuring a wide range of species — some familiar, others completely new — keeping her work both fresh and creatively challenging. Her illustrations have also appeared in publications, including two biographical books by Peter P. Ryan. Beyond the studio, Sarah stays connected to the wider wildlife and hunting community: she attends fairs, engages with collectors and conservationists and has donated artwork to causes, including the New Zealand Tahr Foundation and Longoria-Hosmer Foundation.
Among her most recent works are Wild Turkeys of North America, Quail of North America and Grouse of North America — a continuation of her dedication to capturing the character and beauty of wildlife. These original paintings, also available as high-quality giclée prints, are full of the detail and care that have come to define her style. From the texture of feathers to the glint in an eye, Sarah’s love for the animals she paints shines through in every brushstroke.
