Wonderful Ways with Watercolour for Botanical Subjects (3 day series)

Tutor: Karen Innes

Lunch: Price includes a hearty lunch.

Level:
All Levels

Typically for a max of 10 people.

Two Days
(or more)

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This is a series of 3 full days. Dates are: Wed 7th, Wed 14th, Wed 21st May 2025.

Join artist Karen Innes to explore the wonderful world of painting plants and flowers over three consecutive Wednesdays. Over the three days you will explore the wonderful world of botanical water colour painting, Karen will encourage the use of self expression and developing technique to create and produce the beautiful shapes, form, colours and detail of plants and flowers in the study of botanical painting. Over the three days you will cover the use of detail and abstract to produce a finished piece of work/ experimental projects and a sketch book of ideas by;

• learning to observe and investigate botanical subjects to understand form and detail
• explore various water colour techniques and associated mediums
• learn how to use composition and layout a piece of work for impact
• learn how to mix colour and use tonal values
• learn how to observe detail and use it to create abstract ideas
• working on developing a sketch book of ideas
• learn how to layout a composition and design
• Understand the intricacy’s of detail
• learn techniques used to develop abstract art.

You will be encouraged to choose subjects that are of a personal creative relevance. By the use of detailed observation and by understanding the subjects specific characteristics, drawings and design can be developed and with the investigation of techniques in watercolour and other complimentary mediums, a catalogue of experimental sketches and mini projects can be used to gain insight into producing a finished piece of work. It doesn’t matter if you are a total beginner or an experienced botanical painter, the focus will be for each individual to realise aspirations on what they want to learn and develop. Each weeks progress will be reviewed and the next stage of process and production will be developed to lead to the application of realism into abstract in botanical painting.

Please bring along a selection of subjects to draw from. . . These can be potted plants, flowers, bark or and natural artefacts . . i.e. shells, dried skulls, bark . . These could be used as a subject to draw from or even include in your work.

A selection of papers will be available to use and the cost for these and the paints will be £7.

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, space and guidance you need to create. You can expect a warm welcome, skilled and friendly tutors plus 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 is some flexibility depending on how your work is progressing. Depending on the tutor and the group, start times for day 2 can be flexible too.

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

There will be some materials and equipment available to borrow.
However participants should bring their own core materials as follows.

• X3 magnifying glass (easily obtained from a optician or ordered online)
• Pencils HB and 2B
• Putty rubber
• Sketch book
• Paint brushes (preferably sable) sizes 5, 3, 1.
• The following colours of Artists Quality Watercolour Paints used:

Transparent Yellow
New Gamboge
Burnt Sienna
French Ultra Marine
Cobalt Blue
Windsor Blue Green Shade
Windsor Red
Quinacridone Magenta
Permanent Rose
Burnt Umber

If you would like to purchase any of this at cost from Karen on the day, please let us know.

Please bring a selection of subjects to draw from, these can be potted plants, flowers, bark or and natural artefacts . . i.e. shells, dried skulls, bark

Please note there is a small charge of £7 to cover papers and other supplies used during the 3 weeks, where the type and quality selected are really important.

“The opportunity to relax and explore watercolours with friends. That everything about the structure of the day is designed to be low stress, comfortable, and welcoming.”

– Jan

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