Advanced Botanical Drawing and Illustration - Nottingham Trent University

Description

This course is for anyone wishing to deepen their botanical drawing practice and explore more complex techniques. Building on the foundational skills acquired in the introductory Botanical Drawing and Illustration course (and equally relevant for those who’ve attended a course elsewhere), over four intensive sessions, you will develop your ability to capture the intricate details and subtle nuances of a wide range of plant subjects with increased accuracy and artistic expression. Continuing to use nature as our source of inspiration, this course will enable you to further develop your skills and knowledge. Completing an illustration can be a long process and the botanical artist faces a number of creative and practical challenges. During the course, these areas will be explored, with attention being given to practising a range of more advanced techniques; exercises and finished pieces of work will allow you to demonstrate a higher level of skill, application and knowledge. You’ll complete a combination of guided exercises and personal projects, experimenting with advanced media, including coloured pencils, watercolours, and pen and ink, to achieve greater depth, texture, and realism in your work. The course will also introduce you to compositional strategies and the use of light and shadow to create dynamic, lifelike illustrations. Working in a supportive studio environment, you’ll receive personalised feedback from your experienced tutor, who will help you refine your technique and build confidence in your unique style. During this course, you will: • refine your observational skills by closely studying a variety of plant forms, focusing on intricate details and textures • experiment with different media to enhance realism and depth • develop compositional techniques that effectively utilise light and shadows • complete a series of advanced botanical illustrations that demonstrate your improved skills and confidence in tackling more complex subjects. • gain insight into the historical and contemporary practices in botanical illustration, inspiring your own work and approach. • build a portfolio of advanced botanical illustrations that showcase your artistic growth and technical proficiency. By the end of the course, you will have completed a series of advanced botanical illustrations and have the skills to approach more challenging subjects with confidence. You will be able to: • demonstrate a confident approach to drawing and painting complex botanical subjects accurately • understand and demonstrate how to represent surface pattern and texture using a range of graphite and watercolour techniques • apply basic and more complex colour theories, colour relationships and tonal values • demonstrate different forms of composition such as movement and balance, and the aerial perspective within the arrangement of subject matter • exhibit botanical accuracy within the composition • demonstrate a practical understanding of alternative mediums used. Tutor profile: Dawn Wright has been teaching botanical art for the past 15 years. She’s a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists, a member of the Eden Project Florilegium, Northamptonshire Botanical Artists’ Society and the American Society of Botanical Artists. Dawn exhibits regularly around the UK and has had work hung in the prestigious Mall Galleries in London and at the RHS Botanical Art Show, and her work is also held in private collections. She is a Botanical Art Champion for the Association of British Botanical Artists. Dawn says “I enjoy recreating the colours which the changing seasons bring us, relishing in the challenge of capturing light and drama, encouraging us to stand still for a moment whilst we look, look and look again at the natural world. Dramatic colour and compositions don’t have to be big and blousey; a newly-sprouting bud of blossom about to open, the promise of new beginnings, or the changing colours of a leaf just before it falls from the tree – all have a story to tell, waiting to be interpreted by the botanical artist.” Level: Improvers Entry requirement: This course is ideal for those who have completed a beginner’s course in Botanical Drawing and Illustration at NTU or elsewhere, or have equivalent experience and wish to continue developing their practice. Experience of drawing and watercolour painting is essential.

What's included in the price?

With a strong emphasis on practical demonstrations of techniques and individual exploration, in addition to individual support, you will develop an increased confidence in your skill set. Some homework and preparation work will need to be undertaken before each session (approximately 1 – 2 hours per week). Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course. You'll also need to bring the materials listed below. Items marked with an * are ones you likely already have if you attended the beginner’s course at NTU. • A3 sketchbook. An ideal sketchbook would be Stillman & Birn Zeta series or the Daler Rowney Ebony spiral bound sketchbooks (they handle light colour washes better than other options) - the paper should be as white and smooth as possible. * • Graphite pencils, such as Faber Castell 9000 or Staedtler Lumograph, grades 4H, 2H, F or HB, B, 2B. * • Sable or synthetic pointed round paint brushes (these are good for laying down washes and detailed work). We’d suggest getting the following sizes: Size 6, Size 4, Size 2, Size 0. * • A Paint palette – either a daisy ceramic palette or a white household china side plate. * • Hand-held Magnifying Lens x2 magnification. * • Travel lamp with daylight bulb. * • Watercolour paints – you will need all of the following paints from Winsor & Newton: • Reds: Permanent Rose, Quinacridone Red or scarlet Lake, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Perylene Maroon • Yellows: Winsor Lemon, Transparent Yellow, Indian Yellow, Transparent Orange • Blues: Winsor Blue Green Shade, Winsor Blue Red Shade, Cobalt Blue, Indanthrene Blue • Violets: Winsor Violet Dioxazine, Perylene Violet, Quinacridone Magenta • Greens: Perylene Green, Viridian • White Gouache Your tutor will provide watercolour paper at the start of the course, to get you going. You will need to provide paper as the course progresses, and your tutor can advise you on the most suitable paper to get during the first session. On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Nottingham Trent University

with Craft Courses since 2015

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