Sheryl Elaine Pape
Sheryl graduated with SBA in 2015 and exhibits her work at Mall Galleries London, Oxmarket Contemporary Chichester, Petersfield Artist in Residence for The RHS Dahlia Show and British Iris Society show 2023/24 at RHS Wisley.
Botanical painting – sweet peas and other flowers from West Dean Gardens with Sheryl Elaine Pape
Ref: SWE35742
About this course
Learn or revise basic watercolour techniques and expand your practice to include detailed botanical studies of sweet peas (or other flowers in bloom) from the gardens at West Dean College.
Course Description
The first evening will be an introduction to the course, with examples of work from your tutors botanical portfolio and botanical art books to outline techniques and ideas.
You will go into the gardens at West Dean and choose your subject; sweet peas will be in full bloom or you may wish to select another flower. This choice depends on availability.
You will begin with a pencil drawing of the tone and outline of your selected flower. You will then learn how to identify areas of shade and light of a subject, for example a sphere, before making a detailed drawing of the plant in your sketchbook.
You will then make swatches of colour from your palettes and match the colours of the flower you have chosen, so creating a colour chart for reference, specific to the type of plant.
You will then transfer the drawing from your sketchbook to botanical art paper and lay the first wash of colour onto your drawing. The next phase is to rub out pencil marks before laying the next wash. You will then complete the painting by adding the details.
The aim of the course is to practise the wet-in-wet watercolour painting technique, the dry brushing technique and, lastly, to add fine details.
At the end of the course, you should have completed a detailed study of a flower and created a pleasing composition.
Course Materials
Included
Some hot pressed watercolour paper for your final painting, tracing paper and a selection of watercolour paints to share amongst the group
What students need to bring
- Sketch pad
- 2H and HB pencils
- Eraser
- Pencil sharpener
Paintbrushes
- Pointed round, nos. 6, 4, 2
- Miniature brushes, 0, 00, 000
Available to buy
Available from shop: A good variety of watercolour paints for the extra colours that you may need, paper, tracing paper and drawing materials
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Timetable
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential
Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required
General Information
Tutors
Accommodation
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Further study options
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.