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Tell Hicks
Art
Snakes
01
The Adder
Date: 1974
This Adder painting was for Tony Phelps 1974 Adder book.
This Adder painting was for Tony Phelps 1974 Adder book.
02
Adder and Grass Snake Profiles
Date: 1974
03
Adder Book Cover
Date:1974
Size: 17in x 27in
Material: Gouache on paper
I composed this painting to create a balanced front, spine and back image of a book cover. The head and neck of the black and yellow snake were aligned to appear on the spine of the cover. The composition and placement of the snakes create a decorative and surreal interplay between males in a combat dance.
Size: 17in x 27in
Material: Gouache on paper
I composed this painting to create a balanced front, spine and back image of a book cover. The head and neck of the black and yellow snake were aligned to appear on the spine of the cover. The composition and placement of the snakes create a decorative and surreal interplay between males in a combat dance.
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04
Amorgos Ratsnakes (Elaphe rechingerii)
Date: 1991
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on paper
A pair of Amorgos Ratsnakes from the Greek island of the same name. For many years, there has been confusion over the exact classification of this species. Originally, they were thought to be Four-lined Snakes, but they were then renamed Aesculapian Snakes. At the time, I was painting this image, there was also discussion as to whether these snakes were an entirely new species, the Amorgos Ratsnake (Elaphe rechingeri). More recently, they have been reclassified as a subspecies of the Four-lined Snake, Elaphe quatuorlineata muenteri. I would have said that they look more like Aesculapian Snakes than Four-lined Snakes, but I think the recent classification is based on a DNA study.
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on paper
A pair of Amorgos Ratsnakes from the Greek island of the same name. For many years, there has been confusion over the exact classification of this species. Originally, they were thought to be Four-lined Snakes, but they were then renamed Aesculapian Snakes. At the time, I was painting this image, there was also discussion as to whether these snakes were an entirely new species, the Amorgos Ratsnake (Elaphe rechingeri). More recently, they have been reclassified as a subspecies of the Four-lined Snake, Elaphe quatuorlineata muenteri. I would have said that they look more like Aesculapian Snakes than Four-lined Snakes, but I think the recent classification is based on a DNA study.
05
Adder
Date: 1992
Size: 18in x 24in
Material: Oil on canvas
I donated the original oil painting, from which this print was taken, to the International Herpetological Society. It brings back fond memories of the field studies I made with Tony Phelps, many years ago. Vipera berus have always been my favourite snake.
Size: 18in x 24in
Material: Oil on canvas
I donated the original oil painting, from which this print was taken, to the International Herpetological Society. It brings back fond memories of the field studies I made with Tony Phelps, many years ago. Vipera berus have always been my favourite snake.
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06
Asia Minor Dwarf Snake (Eirenis modestus)
Date: 1993
Size: 11in x 14in
Material: Oil on paper
I caught one of these snakes on one of my holidays and field trips to Turkey. At one time, I owned a collection of these snakes and bred them in captivity, possibly the first person to do this.
Size: 11in x 14in
Material: Oil on paper
I caught one of these snakes on one of my holidays and field trips to Turkey. At one time, I owned a collection of these snakes and bred them in captivity, possibly the first person to do this.
07
Royal or Ball Python
Date: 1994
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on paper
Painted in the days when adult, wild-caught, Ball Pythons were imported for the pet trade, this painting shows a specimen wrapped in a defensive ball, a characteristic trait that gave them their name. Nowadays, these beautiful snakes are bred in captivity and are available in a myriad of stunning color forms.
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on paper
Painted in the days when adult, wild-caught, Ball Pythons were imported for the pet trade, this painting shows a specimen wrapped in a defensive ball, a characteristic trait that gave them their name. Nowadays, these beautiful snakes are bred in captivity and are available in a myriad of stunning color forms.
08
Four-lined Rat Snake
Date: 1994
Size: 7.5in x 11in
Material: Oil on paper
I painted this portrait of the European Four-lined Ratsnake group, many years ago, to illustrate an article by the late Kevin Hingley. Although it is now actually scientifically inaccurate, it is still an interesting piece of reptile taxonomy history.
Size: 7.5in x 11in
Material: Oil on paper
I painted this portrait of the European Four-lined Ratsnake group, many years ago, to illustrate an article by the late Kevin Hingley. Although it is now actually scientifically inaccurate, it is still an interesting piece of reptile taxonomy history.
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09
Leopard Snake (Elaphe situla)
Date: 1994
Size: 11in x 16in
Material: Oil on paper
One of the most beautiful snakes in Europe. These were one of Tell's favourite snakes and was the last species of snake he kept before he died.
Size: 11in x 16in
Material: Oil on paper
One of the most beautiful snakes in Europe. These were one of Tell's favourite snakes and was the last species of snake he kept before he died.
10
Boelen’s Python
Date: 2001
Size: 23.5in x 19.5in
Material: Oil on Canvas
Although, basically, a black and white snake, the beauty of the Boelen’s Python lies in the wonderful iridescence of its scales. The colors reminded me of the superb Ulysses Butterflies I’d seen feeding on Hibiscus flowers in the rainforest of Northern Australia. Making sure that the flowers and the butterfly were contemporary with the Boelen’s Python, from the Central Highlands of New Guinea, I decided to include them in the oil painting. The painting was later entered into the Wildscape 2009 wildlife art competition and gained, for me, the award of Runner-up Wildlife Artist of the Year.
Size: 23.5in x 19.5in
Material: Oil on Canvas
Although, basically, a black and white snake, the beauty of the Boelen’s Python lies in the wonderful iridescence of its scales. The colors reminded me of the superb Ulysses Butterflies I’d seen feeding on Hibiscus flowers in the rainforest of Northern Australia. Making sure that the flowers and the butterfly were contemporary with the Boelen’s Python, from the Central Highlands of New Guinea, I decided to include them in the oil painting. The painting was later entered into the Wildscape 2009 wildlife art competition and gained, for me, the award of Runner-up Wildlife Artist of the Year.
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11
Cyprus Grass Snake (Natrix natris cypriaca)
Date: 2003
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on MDF Panel
Thought to have been extinct for many years, the Cyprus Grass Snake was re-discovered, in 1992, by my good friend and passionate conservationist Hans-Jorg Wiedl. It remains one of the world’s rarest snakes.
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on MDF Panel
Thought to have been extinct for many years, the Cyprus Grass Snake was re-discovered, in 1992, by my good friend and passionate conservationist Hans-Jorg Wiedl. It remains one of the world’s rarest snakes.
12
Rowley’s Palm Pit Viper
Date: 2011
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on canvas
The completed painting (a commissioned piece) of Rowley’s Palm Pit Viper includes the snake’s tail, a caudal lure for drawing in lizards and birds within striking range. Included in the painting is an equally rare arboreal Abronia lizard, also native to Mexico and Central America.
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on canvas
The completed painting (a commissioned piece) of Rowley’s Palm Pit Viper includes the snake’s tail, a caudal lure for drawing in lizards and birds within striking range. Included in the painting is an equally rare arboreal Abronia lizard, also native to Mexico and Central America.
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13
Sonoran Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus)
Date: 2012
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on canvas
Being a significantly venomous snake, from Arizona, we decided to add an illustration of this species to the collection of paintings for the book, Rattlesnakes of Arizona. (Not that I needed an excuse to paint such a beautiful species!).
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on canvas
Being a significantly venomous snake, from Arizona, we decided to add an illustration of this species to the collection of paintings for the book, Rattlesnakes of Arizona. (Not that I needed an excuse to paint such a beautiful species!).
14
Mexican Garter Snake
Date: 2012
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on canvas
The Mexican Garter Snake is an endangered and protected species within the US. I visited an area of New Mexico to study the wetland habitat of a colony of these snakes. While I did not find any snakes in the wild, I was able to view a captive specimen in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. I photographed the snake from different angles, around 30 pictures, with the help of the staff who handled the snake while I took the photos. This enabled me to get details of the snake’s scalation and markings so that I could make a composition of the snake in any position I wanted.
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on canvas
The Mexican Garter Snake is an endangered and protected species within the US. I visited an area of New Mexico to study the wetland habitat of a colony of these snakes. While I did not find any snakes in the wild, I was able to view a captive specimen in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. I photographed the snake from different angles, around 30 pictures, with the help of the staff who handled the snake while I took the photos. This enabled me to get details of the snake’s scalation and markings so that I could make a composition of the snake in any position I wanted.
01 / 14
The Adder
Date: 1974
This Adder painting was for Tony Phelps 1974 Adder book.
This Adder painting was for Tony Phelps 1974 Adder book.
01
The Adder
Date: 1974
This Adder painting was for Tony Phelps 1974 Adder book.
This Adder painting was for Tony Phelps 1974 Adder book.
02
Adder and Grass Snake Profiles
Date: 1974
03
Adder Book Cover
Date:1974
Size: 17in x 27in
Material: Gouache on paper
I composed this painting to create a balanced front, spine and back image of a book cover. The head and neck of the black and yellow snake were aligned to appear on the spine of the cover. The composition and placement of the snakes create a decorative and surreal interplay between males in a combat dance.
Size: 17in x 27in
Material: Gouache on paper
I composed this painting to create a balanced front, spine and back image of a book cover. The head and neck of the black and yellow snake were aligned to appear on the spine of the cover. The composition and placement of the snakes create a decorative and surreal interplay between males in a combat dance.
04
Amorgos Ratsnakes (Elaphe rechingerii)
Date: 1991
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on paper
A pair of Amorgos Ratsnakes from the Greek island of the same name. For many years, there has been confusion over the exact classification of this species. Originally, they were thought to be Four-lined Snakes, but they were then renamed Aesculapian Snakes. At the time, I was painting this image, there was also discussion as to whether these snakes were an entirely new species, the Amorgos Ratsnake (Elaphe rechingeri). More recently, they have been reclassified as a subspecies of the Four-lined Snake, Elaphe quatuorlineata muenteri. I would have said that they look more like Aesculapian Snakes than Four-lined Snakes, but I think the recent classification is based on a DNA study.
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on paper
A pair of Amorgos Ratsnakes from the Greek island of the same name. For many years, there has been confusion over the exact classification of this species. Originally, they were thought to be Four-lined Snakes, but they were then renamed Aesculapian Snakes. At the time, I was painting this image, there was also discussion as to whether these snakes were an entirely new species, the Amorgos Ratsnake (Elaphe rechingeri). More recently, they have been reclassified as a subspecies of the Four-lined Snake, Elaphe quatuorlineata muenteri. I would have said that they look more like Aesculapian Snakes than Four-lined Snakes, but I think the recent classification is based on a DNA study.
05
Adder
Date: 1992
Size: 18in x 24in
Material: Oil on canvas
I donated the original oil painting, from which this print was taken, to the International Herpetological Society. It brings back fond memories of the field studies I made with Tony Phelps, many years ago. Vipera berus have always been my favourite snake.
Size: 18in x 24in
Material: Oil on canvas
I donated the original oil painting, from which this print was taken, to the International Herpetological Society. It brings back fond memories of the field studies I made with Tony Phelps, many years ago. Vipera berus have always been my favourite snake.
06
Asia Minor Dwarf Snake (Eirenis modestus)
Date: 1993
Size: 11in x 14in
Material: Oil on paper
I caught one of these snakes on one of my holidays and field trips to Turkey. At one time, I owned a collection of these snakes and bred them in captivity, possibly the first person to do this.
Size: 11in x 14in
Material: Oil on paper
I caught one of these snakes on one of my holidays and field trips to Turkey. At one time, I owned a collection of these snakes and bred them in captivity, possibly the first person to do this.
07
Royal or Ball Python
Date: 1994
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on paper
Painted in the days when adult, wild-caught, Ball Pythons were imported for the pet trade, this painting shows a specimen wrapped in a defensive ball, a characteristic trait that gave them their name. Nowadays, these beautiful snakes are bred in captivity and are available in a myriad of stunning color forms.
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on paper
Painted in the days when adult, wild-caught, Ball Pythons were imported for the pet trade, this painting shows a specimen wrapped in a defensive ball, a characteristic trait that gave them their name. Nowadays, these beautiful snakes are bred in captivity and are available in a myriad of stunning color forms.
08
Four-lined Rat Snake
Date: 1994
Size: 7.5in x 11in
Material: Oil on paper
I painted this portrait of the European Four-lined Ratsnake group, many years ago, to illustrate an article by the late Kevin Hingley. Although it is now actually scientifically inaccurate, it is still an interesting piece of reptile taxonomy history.
Size: 7.5in x 11in
Material: Oil on paper
I painted this portrait of the European Four-lined Ratsnake group, many years ago, to illustrate an article by the late Kevin Hingley. Although it is now actually scientifically inaccurate, it is still an interesting piece of reptile taxonomy history.
09
Leopard Snake (Elaphe situla)
Date: 1994
Size: 11in x 16in
Material: Oil on paper
One of the most beautiful snakes in Europe. These were one of Tell's favourite snakes and was the last species of snake he kept before he died.
Size: 11in x 16in
Material: Oil on paper
One of the most beautiful snakes in Europe. These were one of Tell's favourite snakes and was the last species of snake he kept before he died.
10
Boelen’s Python
Date: 2001
Size: 23.5in x 19.5in
Material: Oil on Canvas
Although, basically, a black and white snake, the beauty of the Boelen’s Python lies in the wonderful iridescence of its scales. The colors reminded me of the superb Ulysses Butterflies I’d seen feeding on Hibiscus flowers in the rainforest of Northern Australia. Making sure that the flowers and the butterfly were contemporary with the Boelen’s Python, from the Central Highlands of New Guinea, I decided to include them in the oil painting. The painting was later entered into the Wildscape 2009 wildlife art competition and gained, for me, the award of Runner-up Wildlife Artist of the Year.
Size: 23.5in x 19.5in
Material: Oil on Canvas
Although, basically, a black and white snake, the beauty of the Boelen’s Python lies in the wonderful iridescence of its scales. The colors reminded me of the superb Ulysses Butterflies I’d seen feeding on Hibiscus flowers in the rainforest of Northern Australia. Making sure that the flowers and the butterfly were contemporary with the Boelen’s Python, from the Central Highlands of New Guinea, I decided to include them in the oil painting. The painting was later entered into the Wildscape 2009 wildlife art competition and gained, for me, the award of Runner-up Wildlife Artist of the Year.
11
Cyprus Grass Snake (Natrix natris cypriaca)
Date: 2003
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on MDF Panel
Thought to have been extinct for many years, the Cyprus Grass Snake was re-discovered, in 1992, by my good friend and passionate conservationist Hans-Jorg Wiedl. It remains one of the world’s rarest snakes.
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on MDF Panel
Thought to have been extinct for many years, the Cyprus Grass Snake was re-discovered, in 1992, by my good friend and passionate conservationist Hans-Jorg Wiedl. It remains one of the world’s rarest snakes.
12
Rowley’s Palm Pit Viper
Date: 2011
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on canvas
The completed painting (a commissioned piece) of Rowley’s Palm Pit Viper includes the snake’s tail, a caudal lure for drawing in lizards and birds within striking range. Included in the painting is an equally rare arboreal Abronia lizard, also native to Mexico and Central America.
Size: 16in x 12in
Material: Oil on canvas
The completed painting (a commissioned piece) of Rowley’s Palm Pit Viper includes the snake’s tail, a caudal lure for drawing in lizards and birds within striking range. Included in the painting is an equally rare arboreal Abronia lizard, also native to Mexico and Central America.
13
Sonoran Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus)
Date: 2012
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on canvas
Being a significantly venomous snake, from Arizona, we decided to add an illustration of this species to the collection of paintings for the book, Rattlesnakes of Arizona. (Not that I needed an excuse to paint such a beautiful species!).
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on canvas
Being a significantly venomous snake, from Arizona, we decided to add an illustration of this species to the collection of paintings for the book, Rattlesnakes of Arizona. (Not that I needed an excuse to paint such a beautiful species!).
14
Mexican Garter Snake
Date: 2012
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on canvas
The Mexican Garter Snake is an endangered and protected species within the US. I visited an area of New Mexico to study the wetland habitat of a colony of these snakes. While I did not find any snakes in the wild, I was able to view a captive specimen in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. I photographed the snake from different angles, around 30 pictures, with the help of the staff who handled the snake while I took the photos. This enabled me to get details of the snake’s scalation and markings so that I could make a composition of the snake in any position I wanted.
Size: 16in x 20in
Material: Oil on canvas
The Mexican Garter Snake is an endangered and protected species within the US. I visited an area of New Mexico to study the wetland habitat of a colony of these snakes. While I did not find any snakes in the wild, I was able to view a captive specimen in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. I photographed the snake from different angles, around 30 pictures, with the help of the staff who handled the snake while I took the photos. This enabled me to get details of the snake’s scalation and markings so that I could make a composition of the snake in any position I wanted.
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