Drawing Fundamentals for Botanical Illustration I

Drawing Fundamentals for Botanical Illustration I

By Hazel Buys

The first class in the redesigned Certificate Program in Botanical Illustration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens wrapped up last Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. A delightful and enthusiastic group of six artists, some new to drawing, some renewing their skills, completed the four classes that introduced them to botanical illustration and the fundamentals of drawing. These classes concentrated on botanical subjects, although the classes taught a skill set basic to drawing in any genre.

The students learned the proper way to light their subject and work surface and drew from live or dried botanical specimens. They explored the rich possibilities in line making, the use of tone in creating form and how to use perspective in depicting leaves that fold toward, and away from, the viewer. The classes included a study of the basic elements of composition, the Golden Section and how these principles guide the artist in arranging the subject on the paper. All drawings emphasized accuracy and detail.

Each student succeeded in completing the assignments that showcased what they had learned, and for those interested in pursuing the Certificate in Botanical Illustration, comprise the beginnings of their botanical illustration portfolio.

The next class in the series, Fundamentals of Drawing for Botanical Illustration II, begins March 12, 2013 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Prerequisites include completion of Fundamentals of Drawing for Botanical Artists I OR permission of the instructor.

For information, contact Hazel Buys at 804/740-7159 or email: hazelmbuys@yahoo.com.

Register at http://www.lewisginter.org/adult-education/adult-educationhappeningnow.php#illustration

Needle-Felting with Botanical Subjects

Botanical Needle Felting

by Judy Thomas

Needle felting is an old craft, but it is on the cutting edge in botanical art. I just finished teaching another session of "Needle Felting with Botanical Subjects" in the Art in the Garden program at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens http://www.lewisginter.org/adult-education/adult-educationhappeningnow.php#Art  and what a fabulous class it was, with wonderful students!  Below are some samples of their amazing work!    The only other botanical needle felting class I have ever heard of is in Scotland, and I think this is the only such class in the US.

Works by CVABA members, Anne McCahill and Kay Linfberg

In the class, we discussed tools of the trade and how to use them, felting methods and techniques, suitable wools for needle felting and some ideas about botanical subjects, composition and dimensionality. We follow some of the same rules as other visual arts in regard to composition, but color theory and use is different in needle felting than with other media, as it is less like color mixing, and more like pointillism, where colored wool fibers are laid side by side to create an illusion of a color blend.  

The next confirmed class is in November, but I am working on some other options. In addition, I will be demonstrating needle felting at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden this weekend, Feb 23 and 24, from 11AM to 3PM, so come on out!  The orchid show is in the conservatory, and there will be a "petal pounding" activity   for children too!  Judith Towers will have a loom for visitors to use to try their hand at weaving with natural dyed yarn of many colors. She will also demonstrate spindle spinning - how to make yarn by hand - and how to use flowers, fruits, leaves, nuts, bark, and even mushrooms to make dye.  My students and I will also be demonstrating needle felting on April 27, 10 to 3 at the Powhatan Festival of Fiber, http://www.powhatansfestivaloffiber.com/

Technique Talk: Grisaille

Grisaille

By Judy Thomas

The many purposes of this blog include exploring ideas, sharing techniques, asking questions and, of course, sharing our work.  I am interested in grisaille (pronounced "gree SIGH ul" though some say "grizzle"), after I saw a lovely example of it in the journal of the Colored Pencil Society of America, "The The Point" (June, 2012). Grisaille is used to refer either to a monochromatic work, either in all grays or sepia, or to and underpainting or underdrawing of such, where color is later laid over top.  The second use is what I want to learn.  We all do something similar to grisaille when we make a graphite value study, but this technique goes one step further in layering color.  Done poorly, it can be muddy. Done well, grisaille can lend an incredible depth and sensitivity to your work. It is definitely a skill I want to acquire. 

Examples of classical, monochromatic grisaille can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grisaille

Also, look at the following for the process to layer color:  http://www.penroseart.com/vermeer02.htm

Wendy Hollender, the colored pencil botanical artist, often uses grisaille.  See her work at: http://www.drawingincolor.com/category/34539520

Luckily, we in VA have the opportunity to learn this technique in a class taught by Celeste Johnston at Ginter Botanical Garden. Her "Plant Portraits" class, will run four Wednesdays, starting Feb. 20.  From the website:  "Capture the beauty of plants by combining an old master technique, grisaille under- painting, with botanical traditions of drawing, shading, layering color and adding fine details. Students will experience working with washes, graded washes and dry-brush methods. Watercolor and colored pencil may be used."

To register, go to:

http://www.lewisginter.org/events/event_detail.php?event_id=1029

"The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude."

Friedrich Nietzsche 
 

Spotlight: Paula Dabbs

EXPANDING THE ROOTS

by Paula Dabbs

 

I am still fairly new at botanical illustration so I really appreciate the classes at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens for helping me to "expand my roots."  The first botanical illustration I ever did was in Celeste Johnston's Beginning Botanical illustration class and she literally had us start with the roots!  I never thought I'd be able to draw all the tiny parts of the poinsettia's roots, but it ended up being one of my favorite drawings.  

Poinsettia Roots - graphite on paper

 

The most recent class I took at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens was Celeste Johnston's class called "Expanding the Roots."  In this class, the students put a contemporary twist on traditional botanical illustration.  I chose to illustrate one of my favorite plants, the bird-of-paradise.  I wanted to place it in the context of where it grows naturally, so I framed it with aqua blue colors that would suggest a tropical sky and water.  I hope the finished painting reminds viewers of sunny days in warm locations! 

 Strelitzia reginae  -  colored ink on watercolor paper

 

I enjoyed playing with the complementary colors of orange and blue and had fun making a little color chart while I worked on the painting.

Complementary Squares - colored ink on watercolor paper