Watercolour & Ink – Botanicals

Watercolour and ink make a good combination. In this course, you'll draw and paint leaves, flowers, and still life to explore their differences and compatibility.

Learn how to create a series of works that will feature native Australian plants, still lifes, and flowers.

You’ll learn initial drawing and composition skills, both loose and formal, as well as the characteristics of watercolour paint. Activities will vary across the use of pencil, pen, ink and watercolour.

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Course Info

The course uses a relaxed approach to help you recognize the artistic possibilities in your environment. Students will be encouraged to find their preferred approach to their future artworks.

Suzi will demonstrate techniques used by artists to obtain loose creative effects and more detailed studies.

Day One

Introduction to a variety of inks and drawing materials. Some fun loosening up exercises drawing with sticks.

Day Two

Introduction to perspective. Using simple techniques to create an accurate drawing of still life objects.

Day Three

Drawing a more detailed still life with flowers.

Day Four

Further perspective techniques and drawing a section of the room. Then heading outside to begin a plein air drawing.

Day Five

Finish of drawing of exterior view and polishing any unfinished activities.

Students with some experience with watercolour and a desire to further their knowledge would benefit from this class, but beginners will also find plenty of support.

To be supplied by participant
Paper

Good quality A4 sketchbook
A4 Field Pad, Eraldo di Paolo brand is my recommendation. Available online or at Riot

At least 5 x A4 or larger sheets of good quality watercolour paper, 225 gsm or thicker, e.g. Arches, Saunders, Fabriano etc. One large sheet can be divided.

Brushes & Tools

Round watercolour brush size 12-14
This also needs to be of good quality

Small watercolour brush with a fine point

Watercolour mop brush

Ink pen with a soft nib as sharp nibs scratch the paper.
An old fountain pen works well

Paints & Inks

A bottle of black Quink, not ink. Available from Officeworks.

Five tubes of watercolour paint

  • Aureolin Yellow
  • Cadmium Red
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Phthalo (or Windsor) Blue
  • Ultramarine Blue

If you have other colours, please bring them. Burnt Sienna, Viridian, Quinacridone Gold and Indigo are other handy but not essential colours.

Suitable brands are Windsor and Newton, A&S, Schminke and Neil Smith.

General supplies
  • HB and 2B pencils
  • Eraser
  • Ruler
  • Sharpener
  • Water container
  • Paper towel
  • Masking tape
  • Stanley knife
  • A small cotton or canvas drop sheet or old tablecloth, no plastic, please.

One or two small Australian native branches, leaves or seeds.

Any other plant you’d like to paint, but not big showy flowers, as they wilt too quickly.

NOTE: Please avoid buying your main art materials at Bargain Stores. Especially cheap watercolour books of paper, as they will not work with paint or ink.

Suzi’s demonstrations and fun activities will include the basics of watercolour and ink, as well as a chance to work on various paintings.

There will be a discussion on the value of a smaller number of high-quality paints and papers and which ones can make your work more professional and beautiful.

You will be doing loose floral work (ink) and semi-abstract eucalypt leaf work (line and wash), as well as interior/interior and artistic (not scientific) botanical studies of your subject matter.

You will find plenty of tricks and tips from artists on how to add light and layering to enhance your paintings and how to use ink as a finish to your work.
Suzi Zglinicki
Course Tutor

Suzi Zglinicki

Suzi Zglinicki is an artist living on the Mid-North Coast of NSW, exhibiting regularly in Newcastle and Sydney since 2012.

Her semi-abstract artworks are produced in various media and often feature the natural world.

In addition to a Bachelor of Education, Suzi has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) and a Master of Fine Art from the National Art School in Sydney; and a PhD in Fine Art at the University of Newcastle.

Her work is held in private collections across NSW and by the National Art School and the University of Newcastle.

Suzi uses oils, pastels, acrylics, ink and mixed media to create landscapes, portraits, and semi-abstract works.

She is both a trained teacher and a professional artist.

Suzi has taught art for teens and adults over the last five years in Newcastle and currently teaches from her studio on the Mid-North Coast of NSW.