Beginning Botanical Illustration: Cacti & Succulents

Beginning Botanical Illustration: Cacti & Succulents

Class | This program is completed

All Levels

10/17/2022-11/14/2022

10:00 AM-1:00 PM PDT on Mon

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$320.00

$288.00

$10.00

To assist you in preparing for this class, we have provided a link to the setup / test pages from the conference provider. If you have never used this conference service before please click on the link below so that your PC or device will be ready to participate in this class.

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Do you want to hone your realistic watercolor and drawing skills? Cacti and succulents are a great subject to learn the basics of the botanical illustration technique in watercolor. Learn the ways watercolor can render the detail, texture, and color of these wonderful plants. Gain experience using found or personal photographs to expedite the drawing process. Specimens, value studies, and color mixing will be our tools to build your composition. This course will utilizes some technology (smartphones, photo editing, and printing.) And assistance for these tools will be available. Optional research field trip to the Volunteer Park Conservatory.

  • Watercolor Paint:
    Watercolor Paint: Tubes preferred. Pans okay if that is what you have already.
    Prussian Blue
    Phthalo Blue Turquoise
    Quinacridone Red
    Magenta
    Lemon yellow

    Bleed Proof White

    Water Vessels and Palette
    Vessels: Old jars, upcycled yogurt cups etc. Need at least 2
    OR
    Palette: upcycled white plate or Butcher Trays ($10.89), Plastic Wheel ($7.09)

    Paper
    Canson Watercolor Pad 12 x 18
    Sketchbook or pad

    Watercolor Brushes: (*see notes below if first time purchasing artist brushes)
    Simply Simmons Round size 10
    Princeton / Round / Size 8
    Princeton / Round / Size 6
    Princeton Size 1 Liner brush

    Drafting Tools
    Mechanical .3mm
    .3 mm HB Lead
    Graphite Crayon 2b or similar
    Prismacolor Eraser/Art gum pack
    wood 2h pencil and 1 colored pencil of choice

    Misc.
    Artists tape 1” wide or 1” blue tape.
    Paper towels

    Nice to have but not required as they are used infrequently. Some of these tools I will have in class if you would like to borrow them.
    Scrap paper
    X-acto knife
    Masking Fluid Marker
    Brush cleaner
    Wash brush: Hake brush, large flat or mop brush (size 10+ or 1”)
    Mechanical eraser
    Ruler and cutting mat
    Old hairdryer
    Table salt
    Additional Watercolors: Payne's Gray, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, White

    *How to shop for a brush: Watercolor brushes are categorized as such and come in different shapes, materials, and sizes. Shape examples are: Flat, round, liner, detail, filbert, etc. Sometimes the shape is labeled on the brush handle but not always. The size of the brush will be a number printed on the brush handle. Brushes can be very personal for some artists. I like to look for varying materials with different stiffness/softness (synthetic, natural etc.). Fan, angle, and other odd shaped brushes are typically not used much. Thus, I do not recommend buying brush or paint sets. They often contain items you will most likely never use. The most used shapes are round, flat, and small detail brushes like liners.

    *Note on brushes: Please do not bring brushes used with oil paints. If you took great care of your Acrylic brushes they could be useful as long as their hairs and points are still neat.