The Orchid Swallowtail Butterfly.  A gouache painting, framed.
A local butterfly here in Sydney, common to our backyards, especially if you have a lemon tree!  That’s where they lay their eggs.
This butterfly was caught in my garden, euthanized, and set by me.  I set the Orchid as it is found at rest, so the painting is botanical rather than scientific where the wings would have been slayed.   I have painted it from life, not photos.
Painted in gouache on Arches 850gm Cold Pressed 100% cotton, water paper.  Yep - its thick and beautiful with a wrinkly finish.
This is an original painting not a print. 
You will notice some skin toned paint surrounding the painting…this is the original setting of the artwork, which was started directly from brush on paper. I used a light tone paint to form the shape of the butterfly.  There is no pencil used in the layout of the artwork, as removing pencil markings can effect the surface of the paper.
The painting is professionally framed in Petersham.  It is mounted and glazed with non-reflective glass.  I take great care in choosing the frame so that the whole piece is sold complete and perfect.
The frame is ebony with buffed brown tones. 
Finished frame measures 32.5cm x 32.5cm and is 3.5cm thick.
The butterfly measures 13cm x 6.5cm (not including antennae).  It is true size of the butterfly.
The painting is signed and dated 2019
x Jane