Karen Nichols

I have over 30 years experience of archaeological illustration working within the commercial sector. As Studio Manager at Wessex Archaeology, I lead a large team of illustrators and creatives working across our regional offices. I am also responsible for maintaining the high quality of all Wessex Archaeology's visual outputs.

Originally trained as a traditional illustrator with hand drawing skills, I expanded my range of expertise working with a wide variety of computer software including: AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Adobe CCS, Corel Creative Suite, Vue Infinite and Poser. My reconstruction work ranges from hand drawing and digital painting, to CGI visualisations. As well as illustrating and typesetting numerous publications, I have used my design skills for exhibitions, brochures, leaflets, displays, school packs and booklets. 

Under my leadership the range of work undertaken by The Studio team has expanded to include more Heritage Interpretation Products, such as: Video & Photography, Artefact Photogrammetry, Reconstruction & Visualisation, Animation, 3D modelling for Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Gaming, Design & Typesetting, Display & Exhibition, 3D scanning, 3D Printing, Web Content, APP Development and working with Content Management Systems (CMS).

As well as being the Studio Manager, I am the website administrator and an active member of our web and social media team, promoting the work of Wessex Archaeology through a variety of social media outlets.

I am motivated by my desire to develop new and innovative ways to visually present archaeological results to a wide range of audiences.

Outside of work I combine my interest in macro photography with lepidopterology, travelling the world chasing butterflies.