Botanical Sketchbook: Pen, Ink & Watercolour (3-day)

Open to all adults, experience preferred but not essential.

In this 3-day course we will explore the use of pen and ink in our botanical sketchbooks. Pen and ink is a wonderfully versatile medium as it can be used to make a range of drawings from loose sketches through to tighter, more detailed work. The drawings can be then left in ink only, or have watercolour added to them to bring them to life even further.

The tutor will demonstrate: freehand ink sketching; drawing plants in ink using pencil under-drawing; and adding watercolour to pen work. Students can try all of these techniques and then choose which one they prefer. Ideally this starting point will inspire you to continue keeping your own botanical sketchbooks, developing your own unique style!

• Observational Drawing
• Using mixed media
• Understanding plant structure
• Sketching with Ink

Materials (provided to the students)
Some plant material will be brought in to work from, but students are encouraged to bring their own art materials.

Materials (required by the students)
SKETCHBOOK: Recommended an A3-size sketchbook either spiral-bound or sewn-bound, with white paper at least 150gsm in weight. This can either have cartridge (drawing) paper, mixed-media paper, or watercolour paper. However, If you already have a sketchbook in whatever size and wish to continue in it, please use that!

Recommendations:
Cartridge paper – Seawhite of Brighton 160gsm spiral-bound All-Media Sketchbook (affordable)
Fabriano Venezia Art Book 23 x 30cm (more expensive)
Watercolour paper – RK Burt Fat Pad, Fabriano Classico A4 or A3 size (more expensive)

PENCILS: A 2H pencil and eraser

PENS: Fineliner pens with both black and grey inks. The Unipin “Fine and Delicate” set is ideal, as it contains 1 x light grey, 1 x dark grey, 3 x black pens in a range of nib sizes from 0.03 – 0.1. Whichever brand you use, please make sure the ink is WATERPROOF

WATERCOLOURS: A selection of watercolours and round watercolour brush/es, e.g. Winsor & Newton Series 7 sable size 1 or 2; or a cheaper equivalent, e.g. Synthetic round brushes such as Daler Rowney Sceptre Gold.

MEASURING: something to measure with, e.g. dividers or a clear plastic ruler

Tutor
Lucy T. Smith has worked as a professional botanical illustrator for 30 years. Signed copies of Lucy’s recently published book “Botanical Sketchbooks, An Artist’s Guide to Plant Studies” will be available in class.

——–The programme is designed for people of all ability and experience. Age limits are at the discretion of the Landmark Arts Centre. Landmark Arts Centre reserves the right to make alterations to our published event programme where reasonably necessary. NO REFUNDS GIVEN FOR TUTOR or ACT SUBSTITUTION.