Repeated by popular demand from February.
BOTANICAL ART CONVERSATIONS
An interactive online day with five leading botanical artists
25TH MAY 2024 2 - 7pm BST
Elaine Searle, Sarah Morrish, Ann Swan, Lucy T Smith and Laura Silburn join together online to showcase their work, lead mini workshops and give advice on botanical artwork.
​
The day will be divided into three types of session:
​
TUTORS' SHOWCASE
Each tutor will show examples of their work or favourite projects to date (this is the only session that will be recorded).
​
MINI-WORKSHOPS
Be part of a small group, as tutors demonstrate and lead a discussion around a subject of their choice. You will be able to attend three of the five 40 minute workshops on offer. Questions and interaction will be encouraged. See topic details
​
PICTURE CLINIC
Get feedback from tutors on a piece of artwork: What works well? What could be improved? The exact nature of this session will be confirmed nearer the time, depending on how many attendees submit artwork. If time doesn't allow to cover every picture, you will learn from advice given to others.
​
In the breaks between sessions, there will be rolling SLIDESHOW of work by attendees. Join in supporting one another by sharing your work, whatever your standard.
​
PLEASE READ MORE BEFORE BOOKING
​
£75
MINI-WORKSHOPS TOPICS
You will be able to attend three of the following 40 minute workshops.
DEPTH IN DETAIL
ELAINE SEARLE
​
Achieving a convincing illusion of 3D can heighten realism and create impact in your botanical art. Elaine with show you how to use selective detail and modified colour to help create depth.
​
Elaine Searle is an internationally known artist and tutor of over 18 years, recognised for her watercolour paintings of plants, fruit and vegetables. She has awards for her work and teaches regularly, both online and around the world.
USING A DIP PEN FOR BOTANICAL ART
SARAH MORRISH
​
Dip-pens can be a challenging tool to use. Sarah will guide you in what to look for in a nib and holder, and how to get the most from it during the drawing process.
Sarah Morrish combines science and art in producing paintings and illustrations that immerse you in many aspects of the natural world and its processes. She specialises in pen and ink illustration and is author of the popular 'Natural History Illustration in Pen and Ink'.
ATTRACTING AN AUDIENCE INTO YOUR PICTURE SPACE
ANN SWAN
Composition is the ‘art’ part of botanical art, but so often we dive into our plant portraits without giving much thought to the complete picture space or its ‘wall appeal’. Ann discusses ways of creating eye-catching, balanced, contemporary compositions and how to avoid distracting pitfalls.
​
Ann Swan is one of the UK’s leading botanical artists and tutors working in pencil and coloured pencil; well known for her detailed, vibrant and strong contemporary style. Awarded four RHS Gold medals for her work, she is author of ‘Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils'
SKETCHBOOK STUDY STAGES
LUCY T SMITH
​
For botanical artists and illustrators, the sketchbook is essential tool for exploring plant material and making preparatory studies. Learn how to approach your investigations with clear aims and goals, examining and recording plant material in a logical and informative way.
​
Lucy Smith works freelance for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew producing botanical illustrations in both pen and ink and watercolour. Her illustrations have been published in many scientific journals worldwide and she has won many awards. Her book 'Botanical Sketchbooks' will be published in 2024.
PAINTING TEXTURES: FORM IN MINIATURE
LAURA SILBURN
​
Textures such as bumps, pits and grooves on plants have evolved for all sorts of reasons and it is important to convey them in our paintings. It can be really helpful to start by thinking of the detail in an enlarged way. Join Laura as she shows you how to do this.
Laura Silburn's work ranges from botanical documentation for archives and florilegia to artistic studies of plants exploring our relationship to them. She teaches regularly in Devon and Cornwall as well as abroad and has three RHS Gold medals amongst other awards.