Watercolour & Ink Botanicals

You will learn some initial drawing and composition skills, both loose and formal, and the characteristics of watercolour paint. Activities will vary the use of pencil, pen, ink and watercolour.

This course uses a relaxed method that allows you to improve your ability to look at the artistic possibilities in your local environment. Students will be encouraged to seek out their own preferred approach to their future art work.

Suzi will demonstrate techniques used by artists to obtain loose creative effects as well as more detailed studies. This class would suit people who have experience with watercolour and want to improve their knowledge, but beginners will receive plenty of support.

Some new and interesting methods will be introduced including the basics of watercolour and ink through demonstrations and fun activities. You will work on a variety of different paintings. There will be discussion on the use of a smaller number of high-quality paints and papers and which ones will make your work look professional and beautiful.

The course will include loose floral work in ink, semi-abstract eucalypt leaves, line and wash with still life and botanical studies of your own subject.

You will find out lots of tricks and tips used by artists, how to add light and layering to enhance your paintings and use ink as a finish for some of your work.

Please bring the following on your first day of class:

PLEASE: Avoid buying your main art materials at Bargain Stores. Especially cheap watercolour paper, as it will not work with paint or ink. The Island Art Shop at Urunga supplies materials at a good price and you may be able to pre-order in December for Camp Creative. They also deliver it to us as we won't need it on the first day.

• One large sheet of Arches quality watercolour paper, 300 gsm or thicker

• At least 4 smaller sheets of good quality watercolour paper, A4 or bigger

• A4 sketch book. 4. Round watercolour brush size 12-14 (this needs to be of good quality)

• Small watercolour brush with a fine point (I have some to share)

• Watercolour mop brush (I have some to share)

• Ink pen with a soft nib as sharp nibs scratch the paper (if it feels like a needle it’s too sharp. An old fountain pen works well. (I have some to share)

• A bottle of black Quink, not any other black ink. Available from Officeworks or from me on request. (approx. $12)

• Six tubes of watercolour paint: 5ml tubes are sufficient

  • Aureolin Yellow (Cool yellow)

  • Quinacridone Gold (Warm yellow)

  • Pyrrol scarlet (Warm red)

  • Alizarin Crimson (Cool red)

  • Phthalo Blue (Cool blue)

  • Ultramarine Blue (Warm blue)

  • Other handy colours are Burnt Sienna, Viridian, and Indigo, I will have a little of these to share. Good artist brands are Windsor and Newton, Schminke, Neil Smith or Art Spectrum.

• A watercolour palette with a 1cm-sized blob of each colour squeezed into a well and ALLOWED TO DRY for a week. (Officeworks sells a good one with 20 wells for around $6)

• 2B pencil

• Eraser

• Ruler

• Sharpener

• 2 water containers

• Some paper towel

• Masking tape

• Scissors

• A small cotton or canvas drop sheet or old tablecloth, not plastic please

• One or two small Australian native branches, leaves or seeds.

• Any other plant you'd like to paint, but not big showy flowers as they wilt too quickly (I will have some to share)

• I supply a board up to A3. If you are keen to do a larger painting you will need a piece of non-bending board BIGGER than A3 size.

OPTIONAL: $45

Students can purchase a pre-prepared palette from the tutor with a sample of 8 colours (1cm blobs) and a fine point brush. (Order before 31st December)

Students with some experience with watercolour and a desire to further their knowledge would benefit from this class, but beginners will also find plenty of support.

NOTE: THIS IS A PLAN ONLY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE

These are just SOME of the activities we will be doing:

DAY ONE

• Exercises to get familiar with materials and techniques

• Talking paints, inks and paper

• Stretching paper

• Painting a wash

• Perspective of plants

• Colour mixing

• Loose flowers

DAY TWO

• TECHNIQUES eg. Hard and soft edge, Lifting out, Wet on wet, Masking etc

• Choosing a composition – Transferring drawings

• A botanical study

• Pen and wash

• Loose leaves

• More accurate drawings

DAY THREE to FIVE

• Choosing your subject

• A larger botanical painting of your choice on stretched paper, with lots of support and assistance and various relevant fun activities in between