Watercolour and Ink Botanicals

Suzi will demonstrate techniques used by artists to obtain loose creative effects as well as more detailed studies. This class would suit people who have experience with watercolour and want to improve their knowledge, but beginners will receive plenty of support.

Some new and interesting methods will be introduced including the basics of watercolour and ink through demonstrations and fun activities. You will work on a variety of different paintings. There will be discussion on the use of a smaller number of high-quality paints and papers and which ones will make your work look professional and beautiful.

The course will include loose floral work in ink, semi-abstract eucalypt leaves, line and wash with still life and botanical studies of your own subject.

You will find out lots of tricks and tips used by artists, how to add light and layering to enhance your paintings and use ink as a finish for some of your work.

These are just SOME of the activities we will be doing:

DAY ONE

• Exercises to get familiar with materials and techniques

• Talking paints, inks and paper

• Stretching paper

• Painting a wash

• Perspective of plants

• Colour mixing

• Loose flowers

DAY TWO

• TECHNIQUES eg. Hard and soft edge, Lifting out, Wet on wet, Masking etc

• Choosing a composition – Transferring drawings

• A botanical study

• Pen and wash

• Loose leaves

• More accurate drawings

DAY THREE to FIVE

• Choosing your subject

• A larger botanical painting of your choice on stretched paper, with lots of support and assistance and various relevant fun activities in between

Please bring the following on your first day of class:

• Any good quality A4 sketch book

• At least 5 x A4 or 1 large sheet of good quality medium grain watercolour paper, 300 gsm or thicker. (Arches will make your work sing) One large sheet can be divided. Temu online sells excellent watercolour blocks, almost as good as Arches

• Round watercolour brush size 12-14

• Small watercolour brush with a fine point

• Watercolour mop brush

• Ink pen with a soft nib as sharp nibs scratch the paper (if it feels like a needle it’s too sharp. An old fountain pen works well)

• A bottle of black Quink, from Officeworks. (approx. $12) (I will have some)

• Tubes of watercolour paint: (If you have other colours please bring them) - 5ml tubes are sufficient.
  • Aureolin Yellow
  • Quinacridone Gold (I will have some for you if needed)
  • Cadmium Red – Pyrrhol scarlet is even better
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Phthalo Blue
  • Ultramarine Blue
  (Handy colours (but not necessary) are Burnt Sienna, Viridian, Quinacridone Gold and Indigo) Artist brands are Windsor and Newton, Schminke or Neil Smith. Art Spectrum are good value

• A watercolour palette with a pea sized blob of each colour squeezed into a well and allowed to dry. (Officeworks sell a good one about A4 size for around $6)

• HB and 2B pencils

• Eraser

• Ruler

• Sharpener

• 2 water containers

• Paper towel

• Masking tape

• Scissors

• A small cotton or canvas drop sheet or old tablecloth - not 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.

I carry a few extras of all materials.

I provide 3 pieces of Eraldo di Paolo Field Pad paper, stretching tape and boards, and some black Quink if you do not wish to get a whole bottle. I will also have some plants.

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.