Botanical Drawing and Painting

Description

Explore the art of botanical drawing and painting. Using nature as our inspiration we will specifically focus on botanical subjects. This course will enable you to enter into the addictive genre of botanical art and illustration. With the emphasis on essential observation and drawing skills, watercolour techniques, colour matching and composition, you will be guided through the stages of producing beautiful study pages or pieces of botanical art, whilst simultaneously allowing you to develop your own style. This is primarily a studio based course, though there may be a trip to the beach (weather permitting) to sketch and study plants growing in their natural habitat. Tuition will be both group and one to one. Demonstrations and discussion will continue throughout the course and individual ideas will be encouraged and developed. There will also be access to reference materials to aid and reinforce learning. Subject materials will be made available though you are very welcome to bring along a botanical subject of your choice, or a botanical work-in-progress which you wish to continue to develop. The course is aimed at both beginners and improvers; it can be extremely advantageous for those with little or no experience to work alongside painters with some expertise. The sharing of skills and knowledge is greatly encouraged and can be beneficial to all concerned. About the Tutor: Dawn Wright Dawn Wright studied Botanical Illustration for 3 years at Leicester College and has been teaching botanical art for a number of years, including at Nottingham Trent University. She is a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists and a member of several UK and international botanical art societies. Dawn enjoys introducing students to botanical art and is enthusiastic about raising the profile of this genre. In her own work she enjoys recreating the colours and textures which the changing seasons bring, relishing in the challenge of capturing light and drama, encouraging us to stand still and look, look and look again at the natural world around us. What to Bring. - Watercolour Paints Artists’ quality preferred, recommend Winsor & Newton as can be purchased easily from high street stores or on-line art retailers such as Jackson’s, Ken Bromley, SAA, Cass Art. - Transparent Yellow - Indian Yellow - Permanent Alizarin Crimson or Permanent Carmine - Permanent Rose - Quinacridone Red - Winsor Violet Dioxazine - Winsor Blue Red Shade or Pthalo (Pthalocyanine) Blue Red Shade - Winsor Blue Green Shade Or Pthalo (Pthalocyanine) Blue Green Shade - Burnt Umber -Brushes I use sable ‘pointed round’ brushes. My favourite brand is Raphael Series 8408. These can be purchased from Jackson’s Art or Hobby Heaven (Avoid purchasing these fromGreat Art as there have been delays recently with deliveries) Sizes 6, 4, 2 and 0. I use 2 brushes of the same size at the same time, one to hold water and one to hold paint – by doing this I am not diluting my paint. Whether you choose sable, sable/synthetic or synthetic, your brushes should go into a lovely sharp point. Please do not bring rigger brushes. A small synthetic ‘flat’ brush is useful for sharpening edges and for lifting off colour to show highlights. - Paper Good quality, hot press paper, white, minimum weight 140lb (300gsm). Paper can be bought by single sheet or in pads or gummed blocks. A couple of full sheets would be sufficient as they can be cut down to fit your final composition. The paper should be kept flat, not rolled. Please do not bring ‘rough’ paper, as it is not suitable for botanical illustration and art. I use Arches Hot Press paper, heavyweight – 300lbs (640gsm), as I like to lay down a lot of paint and don’t wish to stretch my paper. An alternative would be Daler Rowney The Langton Prestige smooth paper, or your preferred paper which you enjoy working on. - Other Equipment Sketchbook: smooth, white paper. I can recommend Daler Rowney Ebony Spiral sketchbook. Min size A4, A3 preferable. White palettes or white plates – ceramic pencils – 4H, 2H, HB, B, 2B cotton rag/kitchen roll kneadable/putty rubber AND a plastic eraser tracing paper hand-held magnifying lens, if you have one travel lamp/daylight lamp – bring with you if you have one, but don’t buy specifically for this course sturdy containers for your subjects/ oasis craft knife a piece of fine grade sand paper notebook – for all those tips and knowledge you’re going to acquire About Slapton Ley Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.

What's included in the price?

Expert tuition Free Wi-Fi Full board accommodation Hot and cold drinks In Course Transport Picnic Lunch Full board accommodation and picnic lunch is available for resident bookings only. Refreshments are included for all, but non-resident bookings are advised to bring lunch with you.

Cancellation policy

Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Field Studies Council, Slapton Ley Field Centre and Nettlecombe Court

with Craft Courses since 2013

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