[ Note: Please let me know if you would like me to post any botanically-related news about you on the blog!]
Our very own Winnifred, drawing a plumeria branch that she found on the ground in HI!
Having fun there, eh Winnifred?
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
What Fun!
Skills and Techniques Showcase
by Judy Thomas
As part of our "teaching/learning" model, we held our first "Skills and Techniques Showcase," with thanks to MinhChau Truong, Angel Zhao and Gail Goodrich Harwood!
Angel and MinhChau teaching
Angel began the first session by discussing the traditions, methods and materials of Chinese calligraphy (photo above). She described the process to make the character for the word "flower" and members tried their hand at it, first on simple newsprint, then on xuan paper. Angel gave the members handouts for other Chinese characters that we can try on our own.
MinhChau demonstrated the various ways to paint orchids with black ink, in many different spatial orientations and stages of development, using black ink and Chinese brushes. She made this difficult task look easy, and also demonstrated how to create different shades with ink and water.
Members practicing Chinese calligraphy
MinhChau demonstrating painting orchids
The "Four Treasures of the Study" of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy.
Angel and MinhChau shared papers, tools and displayed traditional tools and materials.
In the second showcase, Gail showed members how to paint and draw (with colored pencil) water or dew drops. Gail learned this method at an ASBA workshop. She provided prepared papers, showed how to lift dry watercolor off the paper to create the water drop reflection, and how to use several colored pencils to draw the drops.
Thanks to these member/teachers, our first showcase was a success!
Monday, February 15, 2016
My Talk: Following in the Bartrams' Footsteps
By Judy Thomas
I had the great good fortune of being selected to participate in the ASBA, juried, traveling exhibit, "Following in the Bartrams' Footsteps." I am giving a talk about the Colonial plantsman and explorer, John Bartram, my fascination with him, and the exhibit, on February 21, 2016, 1PM, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. It is free to members, and with a paid garden admission. I am giving the talk in conjunction with the Student and Teachers Exhibition, so you can see the lovely art on exhibit as well!
http://www.lewisginter.org/event/artist-talk-bartram/
Biannual Student and Teachers' Exhibition, through March 13, 2016
By Judy Thomas
Several members are exhibiting in the Student and Teachers' Exhibition at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, come check it out!
Judith Towers' work on the left, Gail Goodrich Harwood's work on right
...by me.
http://www.lewisginter.org/event/student-teacher-exhibition/2016-01-30/
Some lovely zinnias by Becky Spangler
And
Some assertive color...
Interesting Website
By Judy Thomas
Here is a link to a website I stumbled on (I think, though someone could have sent me the link), Botanical Art & Artists:
http://www.botanicalartandartists.com
In looking through it, I saw some potentially interesting content: definitions and descriptions of botanical art; famous botanical artists and: classes worldwide. If you have a moment, take a peek!
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Drawing in Precious (and Not-So-Precious) Metals: Silverpoint
By Judy Thomas
As part of our new "Teaching/Learning" schedule for CVABA meetings, Celeste Johnston and I recently gave an introductory lesson on silverpoint. This is the Old Masters' technique of drawing with metals, some of them precious. Before the discovery of graphite (in around 1560), artists drew with metal on surfaces prepared with a ground, often made with marble dust, zinc and rabbit skin glue. The metal (with the exception of gold) tarnishes over time, deepening the value of the line.
Thank goodness, we can now buy a prepared silverpoint ground or use diluted casein paint (see photo above). During the session, members found the process far easier than they thought it would be, though drawing with metals takes some practice, as the drawing is built up in layers, and there is limited ability to erase (it damages the ground).
Here are some resources I provided, including a link to some truly beautiful, contemporary silverpoint drawings:
More than you want to know about metalpoint:
http://bethantoine.com/
How to apply pre-made ground:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=
Silverpoint drawing instruction, parts 1 and 2:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=
Some contemporary silverpoint drawings:
http://www.tommazzullo.com/
Golden's silverpoint ground:
http://www.dickblick.com/
Shiva casein paint, titanium white:
http://www.dickblick.com/
A basic book on silverpoint instruction:
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-
Thank goodness, we can now buy a prepared silverpoint ground or use diluted casein paint (see photo above). During the session, members found the process far easier than they thought it would be, though drawing with metals takes some practice, as the drawing is built up in layers, and there is limited ability to erase (it damages the ground).
Here are some resources I provided, including a link to some truly beautiful, contemporary silverpoint drawings:
More than you want to know about metalpoint:
http://bethantoine.com/
How to apply pre-made ground:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=
Silverpoint drawing instruction, parts 1 and 2:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=
Some contemporary silverpoint drawings:
http://www.tommazzullo.com/
Golden's silverpoint ground:
http://www.dickblick.com/
Shiva casein paint, titanium white:
http://www.dickblick.com/
A basic book on silverpoint instruction:
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-
2016 Schedule
2016 Prediction: Learning and Growing!
by Judy Thomas
We have a vast variety of skills and abilities, not to mention artistic inspiration, among our membership. In order to learn more from each other and stimulate discussion, several of us (Celeste, Gail, Judith, Paula, and I) have developed a schedule of artistic activities for 2016. The activities, for our 9-meeting per year schedule, will include (with some additions):
Member-Directed Skills Building Activity: This could be a demonstration, instruction or a facilitated discussion on some aspect of botanical art. For example, Judy and Celeste demonstrated silverpoint in January and gave everyone a chance to try it. Participants came away with enthusiasm and their own silver wire.
Portfolio Sharing (see description below)
Skills and Materials Showcase: Have a tool, material. technique you are crazy about or just love? Show it, along with several others, as members rotate among the stations.
Please, consider participating. It will take our whole "village" to grow our skills and knowledge!
2016
January 20
9:30-10:30 Member-directed skills building or activity: Join Judy and Celeste to try your hand at silverpoint or metal point.
10:30-11:30 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork)
11:30 lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
February 17
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
11:30 lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
February 17
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
10:00-11:00 Portfolio sharing: bring a portfolio or some work to share, or come to look!
11:00-12:00 networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
March meeting
11:00-12:00 networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
March meeting
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
10:00-11:00 Skills and Materials Showcase: rotate through three stations where member volunteers will share a tool, technique, material or paper they love with other members
11:00-12:00 networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
April meeting
10:00-11:00 Member-directed skills building or activity: TBA
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
In April: look for a tour at Maymont, lead by our own Paula Blair!
May Meeting
9:00-10:00 15-minute drawing activity or do your own work
11:00-12:00 networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
April meeting
10:00-11:00 Member-directed skills building or activity: TBA
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
In April: look for a tour at Maymont, lead by our own Paula Blair!
May Meeting
9:00-10:00 15-minute drawing activity or do your own work
10:00-11:00 Portfolio sharing: bring a portfolio or some work to share, or come to look!
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
June meeting: June 1. Hanging the Tuckahoe Show, Plants and Pollinators!
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
June meeting: June 1. Hanging the Tuckahoe Show, Plants and Pollinators!
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
10:00-12:00 HANGING THE TUCKAHOE SHOW, networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
Saturday. June 25, 1:00-4:00 FAMILY FUN DAY: A CVABA botanical art event for the public at Tuckahoe Library relating to our exhibit, Plants and Pollinators! Look for more information about this soon!
July, August: no meeting
September meeting:
Saturday. June 25, 1:00-4:00 FAMILY FUN DAY: A CVABA botanical art event for the public at Tuckahoe Library relating to our exhibit, Plants and Pollinators! Look for more information about this soon!
July, August: no meeting
September meeting:
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
10:00-11:00 Portfolio Sharing
10:30-11:30 networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork)
11:30 lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
October meeting:
10:30-11:30 networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork)
11:30 lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
October meeting:
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
10:00-11:00 : Skills and Materials Showcase
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
Look for a tour of trees at Lewis Ginter, led by Lorrie Lincoln!
November meeting:
12:00-3:30 work session
Look for a tour of trees at Lewis Ginter, led by Lorrie Lincoln!
November meeting:
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
10:00-11:00: Draw an autumn leaf, compare styles.
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
Look for a tour of Fine Arts and Flowers at the VMFA by our own Celeste Johnston!
December: No meeting. Happy Holidays!
10:00-11:00: Draw an autumn leaf, compare styles.
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
Look for a tour of Fine Arts and Flowers at the VMFA by our own Celeste Johnston!
December: No meeting. Happy Holidays!
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