An Approach to Botanical Illustration drawing & basic watercolour techniques

Transcription

1 An Approach to Botanical Illustration drawing & basic watercolour techniques Sunday 4 Friday 9 August 2013 Led by Rosie Martin Slapton Ley Field Centre Sands Road Slapton Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 2QP Phone: Fax: enquiries.sl@field-studies-council.org Office hours: 08:30 17:00 Monday Sunday (with an answer-phone facility at other times) The Field Studies Council (FSC) is an environmental education charity committed to helping people explore, understand and be inspired by the natural world. Each year over 100,000 people experience the FSC through visits to our network of 17 Centres

2 Overview of the course This introductory course to Botanical Illustration offers you the opportunity to try out some of the many techniques that are used in this fascinating and absorbing art form. The study of plants can be both therapeutic and relaxing, as it can be challenging. It's skill base is many and varied, ranging from 'observational drawing practices, colour mixing using a limited primary palette, various watercolour techniques including the elusive wet-into-wet washes - botanical style... through to the cornerstone of Botanical Illustration - tonal gradation and finishing for life-like 3D plant paintings. Study the stages of painting which go to make up examples of plant portrayals in detail. This course is for 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. PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME This is a studio based course, tuition will be on a 1:1 basis with some group teaching and there will be demonstrations and on-going discussion throughout the course. Sunday Evening A discussion on what is botanical illustration: - it s nature and purpose : Differences between botanical and flower painting. The formula of the stages of painting. Examination of the illustrations of ancient and modern practitioners. Traditional and contemporary aspects of this art-form. Leaflets and hand-outs will be distributed giving valuable information for reference throughout the course. Monday - am and pm The importance of drawing for the botanical artist: - core principles of drawing what you see accurately. How to capture plant-life in pencil. Learning techniques such as observational drawing in line and tone, structure, form, pattern and texture: sketchbook practice and placing on the page (composition). Building up a finished drawing. Tuesday - am and pm The limited primary palette: - an understanding of basic principles of colour is essential for the botanical artist - particularly for the mixing of greens, which are so often seen as perplexing for any artist. With a very limited palette it is possible to mix the majority of colours in nature. This provides the natural cohesion found in nature. We will study basic colour theory and mixing and matching colours to many different specimens. We will also spend a little time practicing different techniques of colour application in relation to botanical illustration. Wednesday - am and pm Paint application and the stages of painting:- continuing experimentation with different techniques of paint application and brushwork, i.e. washes, applying tone, showing shine, optical mixing (the overlaying of different colours to create a specific colour), textures and patterns - working out just how to build up a picture by way of the formula of the stages of painting. We will constantly refer to the work of past and present practitioners in order to ascertain their working methods. Thursday - am and pm Putting the stages together: - using the knowledge and skills gained on the course so far, this final day will involve bringing together a finished painting from scratch. Drawing, painting, planning, composition, detail and finishing. At the end of the day we will have a short critique and discussion about the course-work. Seasonal material will be provided. About the centre Located on the southern tip of the Devon coast, the Centre is surrounded by the 200 hectare Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve. Owned by the Whitley Wildlife Trust and managed by the Centre, the Ley is the largest freshwater lake in the south west and is extensively used in the courses at Slapton. The surrounding coastline and nearby Dartmoor National Park provide unrivalled opportunities for field courses.

3 About the tutor Rosie Martin holds an RHS Gold medal and teaches courses in USA, Canada, Antartica, Mainland Europe, UK and also at her studio outside Totnes. She is co-author/principal illustrator of 4 best-selling books on Botanical and Natural History Illustration. Rosie has work shown internationally and is an experienced teacher in many art based subjects. Course fees Sole occupancy room: 445 Shared accommodation: 395* Non-resident: 295 *Share the experience Have you considered booking a twin room to share your experience at Slapton Ley with a friend or family member? Whilst you are doing your chosen course they could do the same or a different course or explore the local area independently (we can provide advice about the best places to visit and details of any events going on from the Centre or in the local area) per person saving for shared accommodation if both of you are booked onto one of our courses. Full-board accommodation is just per person per night. What is included within the fee Up to 10 hours of tuition a day Full board accommodation, including a cooked breakfast, picnic lunch, home-made cakes and evening meal. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be catered for so long as we are advised in advance. Fresh salad available for picnic lunch please bring a suitable container Tea and coffee making facilities available throughout the day at the Centre Use of resources, including library, workrooms, studios and the Centre grounds Non-resident course fees include all of the above except breakfast and accommodation. What to bring Materials list: Jacksons mail order catalogue can supply everything on the list, except the book: Jackson s Art supplies, 1 Farleigh Place, London N16 4RW, tel There is a textbook available from your local library or is very reasonably priced in paperback from Amazon books; it is co-authored/illustrated by Rosie and is entitled Botanical Illustration Course with the Eden Project (Practical Art book of the Year) by Rosie Martin and Meriel Thurstan. Published by Batsford. Paper: For drawing - a pad of good quality very smooth cartridge paper. For painting - Arches Aquarelle or Fabriano Artistico 140 lbs (3oo gsm) Hot Pressed paper cut into quarters. Jacksons will cut to size if specified with an order. A small (A5) pad of Hot Pressed watercolour paper for testing and referencing colours. Pencils: Either Staedtler, Faber-Castell, Mars lumograph (NOT Derwent Graphic range). Grades HB, 2H and 4H Paints: A limited primary palette. Either Winsor & Newton or equivalent colours in other makes - only ARTIST S QUALITY. Indian Yellow Winsor lemon (or yellow) Scarlet Lake Permanent Alizarin Crimson French Ultramarine Winsor Blue (Green Shade) Winsor violet Permanent Rose No greens, greys, browns or blacks as we mix our own. Brushes: Bring what you have but include: Da Vinci Maestro or Raphael brushes 1-5, and a cheap nylon brush size 4 or 5 for mixing. All can be found in Jackson`s Catalogue Be careful not to buy the miniature range.

4 Other equipment: A block of oasis, blue tack, masking tape, bottle, vase, to hold specimen. 3rd arms are available - a small contraption available from model/tool shops with little metal gripping arms to hold specimens fast (inexpensive) Magnifying glass Sharpener Very sharp knife or scalpel Drawing board with clips or drawing pins Putty or kneaded rubber A large feather (seagull) stuck into a cork for dusting off rubber sweepings or dust. 2 jars for water White china plate for mixing paint Kitchen roll or rag Scissors Also, a lunch box. This course is Studio based (so there is no need for easels, seats etc) Start and finish times Participants are requested to arrive on Sunday 4 th August at Office Reception for registration between 2:00pm and 5:00pm; after this time self-directed arrival information will be posted on the front door. There will be an introductory talk with the Head of Centre typically at 5.30pm. Supper is usually at 6:30pm Breakfast, for resident participants, will be from 8.00am. The course will end after supper on Thursday 8 th August, with departure after breakfast on Friday 9 th August for resident participants. On the final day please vacate your room by 9:00am, storage is provided for your luggage. Pick Up from Totnes Train Station Transport is scheduled to pick up from Totnes Train Station at 2:30pm and 4:15pm and must be booked in advance. The return journey is available at 9:00am and 4:15pm from the Field Centre to Totnes Train Station. The return fee for scheduled transport is per person. We can arrange transport at other times at the standard fee per journey. To plan your train journey visit Directions to the Field Centre Slapton Ley Field Centre is easily accessible by rail and road. To reduce your carbon footprint we prefer visitors to use public transport and therefore we provide a scheduled pick up from Totnes Train Station (please see above). By Rail Totnes Train Station is on the South West Main Line: Approximately 3 hours direct to London Paddington. Approximately 3 hours direct to Birmingham New Street. By Road The Field Centre is located between Kingsbridge, Dartmouth and Totnes and is approximately 30 minutes from each. Approximately 3 ½ hours from Birmingham Approximately 4 ½ hours from London Approximately 2 ½ hours from Bristol

5 Why choose Slapton Ley? Some of the reasons to visit Slapton Ley Field Centre & National Nature Reserve: An amazing location surrounded by Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, on the dynamic Start Bay coastline, with upland Dartmoor rivers nearby. Visiting tutors who are leaders in their field, many have a long association with Slapton Ley through their research or leading courses. A friendly welcome and relaxed atmosphere, with home cooked meals and great service. Comfortable bedrooms. All rooms have single, two or 4 beds with tea and coffee making facilities. Many rooms have Wi-Fi and desk as well as en-suite facilities. How to Book You can check availability and make a provisional booking by telephoning the Centre on To confirm your booking please complete a booking form in the brochure or online form on our website: