Carim Nahaboo – Illustrating insects with maximum accuracy
Carim Nahaboo’s illustrations capture the fascinating world of insects, showcasing their anatomy and behavior with remarkable detail. As an experienced arthropod breeder, Carim combines practical knowledge with careful observation to create vibrant, accurate depictions.
A detailed illustration of a stag beetle flying in the air. Image: © Carim Nahaboo
Who is Carim Nahaboo?
Carim Nahaboo is a British artist specializing in natural history illustrations, created using traditional hand-drawn techniques. His passion for both nature and art began in childhood when he sketched dinosaurs and wildlife inspired by the documentaries he watched. While exploring the outdoors, he became particularly fascinated by insects, captivated by their intricate forms and behaviors.
A portrait photo of Carim in the woods. Image: © Carim Nahaboo
For Carim, drawing is more than an artistic practice; it’s a way to deepen his understanding of the complex life cycles and behaviors of insects. “It forces you to observe them from all angles and for long periods,” he explains.
He studied illustration at Highams Park and Camberwell College of Arts, and since 2012, he has been working as a freelance illustrator, contributing to scientific projects, including books, museum exhibitions, and workshops.
Ink & colored pencil drawings of Carim
A Burying beetle (Nicrophorus vespillo). Image: © Carim Nahaboo
Nicrophorus humator. Image: © Carim Nahaboo
Gymnetis radicollis © Carim Nahaboo
Wallace's Giant bee (Megachile pluto), known as the largest living bee species. Image: © Carim Nahaboo
Subconscious learning through drawing
According to Carim, science and art are deeply intertwined. Although Carim has no formal qualifications in entomology, he has gained a wealth of knowledge about insects through the thousands of insect sketches he has created. There were no exams, no university lectures—just a passion-driven, fun learning process. He has reached a level where entomologists can identify the insect species in his drawings.
How does he draw?
Whenever possible, Carim prefers to have the specimen in front of him as a model. He often visits entomology collections, collaborates with entomologists, and studies insects from his private collection. To capture every detail, he photographs specimens from multiple angles, enlarging the images to examine their anatomy and translate these features into his drawings.
However, illustrating dead specimens presents a constant challenge. Over time, they ldegrade; wings may tear, bristles may break, and colors fade. To ensure accuracy, Carim conducts extensive research, studying photographs of live insects under different lighting conditions to recreate their true vibrancy in his work.
Coprophanaeus lancifer, giant blue dung scarab beetle. Image: © Carim Nahaboo
Beyond illustration, Carim is also an arthropod breeder, having cared for tarantulas, stick insects, beetles, scorpions, and cockroaches for over twenty years. This hands-on experience gives him rare, up-close insights into their anatomy and behavior, which directly inform his art.
Carim notes that relying solely on photographs can be misleading. "Looking at a 2D image, you can easily overlook important features hidden within an insect’s structure," he explains. Observing live specimens allows him to capture dynamic movement rather than a static pose. Light and humidity also influence an insect’s appearance, subtly altering its color. When a specimen isn’t available, Carim carefully studies alternative photos and closely related species to ensure his depiction remains as accurate as possible.
Step by step drawing of Mecynorrhina oberthuri decorata
Drawing for different audiences
In addition to science communication projects and books, Carim occasionally collaborates with scientists on scientific papers. When new arthropod species are discovered, he creates detailed illustrations of the specimens based on the images provided to him.
Carim is also involved in projects designed for children and teenagers. For these, he strives to create accurate illustrations while simplifying details to an appropriate level. An illustrator must strike the right balance: too much detail can overwhelm young audiences, while oversimplification risks misrepresenting an insect’s true anatomy.
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Additional work
Besides arthropods, Carim also draws mushrooms, birds and fantastic characters upon request. Moreover, he crafts handmade metalwork and jewelry drawing inspiration from nature. To explore his artwork in detail, visit the collections on his website.
Solid bronze cast Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus, cast from a large dead male found in France). Image: © Carim Nahaboo
What is your favorite insect?
Among the hundreds of insect families, Carim has a clear favorite: stag beetles. Despite their impressive size, these elusive creatures are not easy to find. Since childhood, Carim has searched for them beneath fallen logs in the forest, always eager for a glimpse.
“There’s only a brief window to observe them in the wild,” he explains. To him, stag beetles feel almost otherworldly, as if they belong to a different era. “Their life cycle is also extraordinarily long for an insect—they're just amazing,” he adds, ending the interview with a smile.
The authors
