Experienced tutor and botanical artist, Sue Vize, will help you achieve more out of a coloured pencil than you thought possible! She will show you how to achieve depth of tone and colour by building up layers of coloured pencil to illustrate the glories of Spring and foliage found in the garden and countryside at this time of the year.
All levels of ability are welcome, whether you are a beginner or someone with previous experience in botanical illustration just wanting to brush up on existing skills. The only requirements are a desire work in detail and a love of plants.
Click on the title below to find a list of what you’ll need to bring with you if anything.
What to expect
Time at ArtisOn is designed to take you away from it all. We provide the environment, the time and the guidance you need to create. You can expect a warm welcome, skilled and friendly tutors and the chance to meet like-minded people keen to share ideas. You can even leave us to clear up the mess! There will usually be two workshops going on and we encourage everyone to mingle and be nosey about what the other workshop is up to.
We encourage you to arrive at 9.30am. This will allow time to meet other participants over a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits before beginning workshops at 10am. There will be a mid-morning break for refreshments and a chance to talk over progress with others. Lunch is usually around 12:45 for about 45 mins – you can expect a delicious homemade 2 course lunch. There will be a further afternoon break with tea or coffee and cake. All food and refreshments are included in the price of your workshop.
The finish time given is a target. There are occasions when the session may overrun so do let us know if you need to be away promptly.
We aim for your day to be a real treat. You could always learn a new skill in a shed or a draughty village hall with a curly sandwich, but we want you to have more fun than that! So we make sure we provide a day where you will be looked after, with good food, good company and great inspiration!
What you’ll need to bring with you
The tutor will bring a selection of plant material for you to draw but if you have something specific you would like to study then please feel free to bring it with you.
Sue has also requested you bring whatever you normally use for coloured pencil work. It is helpful for this to include the following selection. We have some of these items available to borrow but if you have them, please bring them along to prevent waiting & also help us ensure covid security. Sue also has some items for sale on the day.
Graphite pencil – preferably an HB or 2H (available to borrow).
Smooth cartridge paper for practice work.
A few sheets of good quality hot-pressed smooth watercolour paper, cartridge paper, or Bristol Board.
Putty or kneadable rubber (available to borrow).
Good pencil sharpener (available to borrow).
Good quality non-soluble coloured pencils – watercolour pencils can also be used if you already have these.
Cloth or piece of paper to rest your hand on to avoid marking your work.
Drawing board or piece of MDF slightly larger than your paper (available to borrow).
Magnifying glass.
Ruler or dividers (available to borrow).
Sue will be bringing her own collection of coloured pencils and will demonstrate using these but for your own use please just bring what you might already have.
