Early spring bulbs are charming plants for study, and this will be a perfect time to spend a few days immersed in botanical painting, with an emphasis on depicting a white flower on white paper. Under the guidance of the tutor, you will pick up various techniques to develop a good sense of form and colour. You will create an accurate three-dimensional painting that looks as if it could be plucked from the page.

This course aims to help you gain confidence in the application of watercolour, together with accurate observational skills. During the course, the tutor will illustrate various theories for you to follow to understand and practise ideas, in particular, painting white flowers. Advice and tips will be given to simplify the drawing process, as accurate observation is essential to botanical painting.

The object of the course is to achieve an accurate detailed drawing from which the painting will be made. The focus on painting will be layering colours to build up tonal values to describe the form, creating a three-dimensional plant. Additionally, and equally important, will be attention to colour mixing and theory, including aerial perspective. The tutor will demonstrate various wet-in-wet and dry brush techniques for you to work out the ways to develop a personal style.

By the end of the course, you will leave with a series of course exercises and notes to accompany the painting, which will be useful for further painting projects. You will leave with a greater understanding of accurate rendition and colour theory. With reference to botanical paintings, both contemporary and historical, you will be equipped with inspirational ideas to progress your own practice.

Included

• Plant material from West Dean Gardens is included in the course fee.

What students need to bring

• Rag or kitchen roll for mopping up excess liquid
• Florist’s pin holder for securing plant
• A magnifying glass or a X 10 lens would be useful if you have them, but not essential
• Sketchbook or block of smooth cartridge paper, tracing paper
• HB/F and 2H pencil (if using a mechanical pencil, size 0.3 lead recommended)
• Putty rubber and plastic rubber, ruler, pencil sharpener or craft knife
• Pair of simple dividers (or school compass will do)
• ‘Hot Pressed’ watercolour paper 300 gsm - Arches, Bockingford for example
• ‘Miniature’ (short hairs with good tip) Da Vinci/ Rosemary or similar Watercolour brushes, selection, 0, 3 and 5 - Kolinsky sable if possible
• Watercolour palette - preferably China - a white saucer will be perfect
• Artists’ quality watercolours if possible, and just a minimum of three colours:
• Winsor and Newton: Permanent Rose, Winsor Lemon and French Ultramarine, or Schminke: Ruby Red, Lemon Yellow, Ultramarine Finest
• Daniel Smith: Quinacridone Rose, Lemon Yellow, French Ultramarine
• Other useful colours:– Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Green, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Sepia, Yellow Ochre, Winsor Violet, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Viridian

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• Good selection of art materials, including: sketchbooks or blocks of smooth cartridge paper, tracing paper, HB/F and 2H pencils, mechanical pencils with size 0.3 lead, putty rubbers, plastic rubbers, pencil sharpeners, craft knives, pair of simple dividers (school compass), rulers
• ‘Hot Pressed’ watercolour paper 300 gsm
• Watercolour brushes ‘Miniature’ (short hairs with good tip) Da Vinci/ Rosemary or similar, selection, 0, 3 and 5 - Kolinsky sable brushes
• Artists’ quality watercolours: Winsor and Newton: Permanent Rose, Winsor Lemon and French Ultramarine. Or Schminke: Ruby Red, Lemon Yellow, Ultramarine Finest
• Watercolour palette - preferably China

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

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