Viceroy
The Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is celebrated in this crisp, large-format print, highlighting the delicate structure and vivid colouration of a butterfly often mistaken for the monarch. At first glance, the viceroy’s orange and black pattern provides convincing camouflage, but it can be distinguished by the distinctive black band crossing its hindwings — a key feature in its mimicry strategy. This evolutionary adaptation deters predators by closely mirroring the appearance of the unpalatable monarch, offering shared protection through the concept of Müllerian mimicry.
Native to North America, the viceroy ranges widely from southern Canada through most of the United States and into central Mexico. It favours damp, open habitats such as wet meadows, marshes, lakeshores, and willow thickets, where its caterpillars feed on willows, poplars, and cottonwoods. Unlike the migratory monarch, viceroys are generally non-migratory, completing several broods per year, and standing out for their ecological versatility. Their remarkable life cycle includes caterpillars and chrysalises that cleverly imitate bird droppings for camouflage. The species has intrigued entomologists since first being formally described in the early 19th century, with ongoing research revealing not only mimicry but chemical defences that make it nearly as unpalatable as its model.
This illustration has been digitally refined from the original drawings in the acclaimed book Bugs, presenting the viceroy in clean, balanced detail against a generous white margin. The artwork is produced using the giclée process on heavyweight 250gsm archival matte paper. The result is an elegant print with clarity, rich palette, and fine surface texture — ideal for highlighting the subtle beauty and scientific interest of the viceroy as both an artwork and an educational focal point.
Bugs Series
Bugs gathers illustrations adapted from and inspired by founder Simon Tyler's book Bugs, published by Pavilion Children’s Books in 2017. The series celebrates the graphic elegance of insect life: armour-like exoskeletons, iridescent wings, compound eyes, and the ingenious mechanics of movement and camouflage. It’s a visual field guide reimagined—clean, bold forms and carefully tuned palettes that bring structure to the surface.
Each piece begins with the research-led drawings from the book and then goes further: refined linework, rebalanced composition, and subtle textural detailing designed for generous print sizes. The aim is clarity and presence — images that feel scientifically grounded yet striking on the wall. Printed with the same archival care as our other series, Bugs turns natural history into crisp, enduring graphic art.
Printing & Materials
Our Bugs series is produced in collaboration with specialist fine-art printing partners using museum-grade 250 gsm archival giclée paper.
Each print is made to order with exceptional precision and colour accuracy, using pigment-based inks for long-term stability and rich tonal depth.
Prints are carefully rolled in acid-free tissue and shipped in rigid cardboard tubes to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, ready for framing.
All materials and processes are chosen for their longevity, texture, and fidelity to the original artwork, reflecting our commitment to quality and craft.