The story behind a sketch

In November, artist Bill Reynolds traveled to southeast Minnesota to scout for an illustration commissioned by Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine to accompany an essay about winter angling on Beaver Creek. "I enjoy trout fishing so the Beaver Creek story made for an interesting assignment," says Reynolds.

While he wandered up and down the creek's banks— snapping photographs as a general reference for the illustration— he sensed an intimacy to the river that he hoped to convey in the painting. "Beaver Creek… is fairly hidden, and probably only about eight feet wide in most parts," explains Reynolds. For another element in the painting, he "watched small trout holding themselves in the current from a bridge."

There was no snow on the ground, so when making his preliminary sketch, Reynolds imagined how snow would transform the secluded river. He then interwove a map at the bottom of the illustration to help readers locate Beaver Creek.

Finally, Reynolds added watercolor to finish the illustration and truly paint a picture for the reader of an angler's winter fishing experience.

In November, artist Bill Reynolds traveled to southeast Minnesota to scout for an illustration commissioned by Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine to accompany an essay about winter angling on Beaver Creek. "I enjoy trout fishing so the Beaver Creek story made for an interesting assignment," says Reynolds. While he wandered up and down the creek's banks snapping photographs as a general reference for the illustration he sensed an intimacy to the river that he hoped to convey in the painting. "Beaver Creek is fairly hidden, and probably only about eight feet wide in most parts," explains Reynolds. For another element in the painting, he "watched small trout holding themselves in the current from a bridge." There was no snow on the ground, so when making his preliminary sketch, Reynolds imagined how snow would transform the secluded river. He then interwove a map at the bottom of the illustration to help readers locate Beaver Creek. Finally, Reynolds added watercolor to finish the illustration and truly paint a picture for the reader of an angler's winter fishing experience. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Bill's preliminary thumbnail sketch of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Bill's preliminary thumbnail sketch of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Bill's final illustration of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Bill's final illustration of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Bill's preliminary thumbnail sketch of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Bill's preliminary thumbnail sketch of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Bill's preliminary thumbnail sketch of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Bill's preliminary thumbnail sketch of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Bill's final illustration of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Bill's final illustration of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Reference photo of Beaver Creek. Bill's preliminary thumbnail sketch of winter angling along Beaver Creek. Bill's preliminary thumbnail sketch of winter angling along Beaver Creek.