An orchid portrait is a specific type of botanical illustration that displays an exact representation of a single orchid flower. These classical style portraits are often used as permanent records of plants in collections or as reminders of past flowerings of our own plants.

Looking at a variety of species and hybrid flowers, we will explore morphology and pollination mechanisms to enable you to create informed and accurate portraits of orchid flowers.

Starting with carefully measured pencil drawings you will move on to painting techniques in water colour, to closely achieve the colours, textures and details of the flowers.

You will be working with a selection of beautiful and interesting orchids from The Mathers Orchid Foundation. Established in 2019, the Foundation supports orchid conservation research and breeding at their dedicated site in West Sussex. https://orchid.foundation

Included

On this course the College will supply some of the materials including the orchids for you to paint from and some Bockingford hot pressed 300gms watercolour paper will be available for you to use if needed.

What students need to bring

Materials, (please don’t buy new products unless you really need them!)

You will need: Paper:

• Hot pressed watercolour paper – Bockingford Hot Pressed 300gsm watercolour paper will be available for you to use
• Your tutor is using: Fabriano Artistico Acquarello Pad 300gsm Hot Pressed extra white 23 x 30.5cm

Watercolour Paint:

• Cold yellow, warm yellow (Your tutor will be using Winsor & Newton Artist Quality Winsor Lemon and Winsor Yellow)
• Cold red, warm red (Your tutor will be using Winsor & Newton Artist Quality Scarlet Lake and Permanent Rose)
• Cold blue, warm blue (Your tutor will be using Winsor & Newton Artist Quality French Ultramarine and Winsor Blue Green Shade)

Handy extra colours when painting flowers:

• Quinacridone Magenta
• Winsor Violet
• Neutral tint
• Perylene Maroon
• Winsor orange
• White gouache

Brushes:

• Your tutor will be using: Winsor & Newton Series 7 Miniature in sizes 5, 2 and 00
• plus an old brush for mixing ( Your tutor will be using: Pro Arte Prolene)

Water: two jars of water

• Cloth: clean cotton or linen cloth for dabbing

Palette:

• Large flat white palette, if you don’t have this a large white plate will do nicely. (Large plastic palettes available to use.)

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Daily Timetable

Course teaching 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)  
Morning teaching 11am-1pm
Lunch break between 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes 5.15pm  
 

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions