Beginner's Botanical Illustration Workshop - A step by step guide

This day workshop will be an introduction to painting flowers in the 'botanical style' that you'd find in old encyclopedias. You'll be learning a mixture of drawing, illustration and watercolour techniques that work well for this painting style.

What kind of stuff will we be learning?

• Drawing techniques for plants
• Exploring what materials are best for botanical illustrations
• Learning some plant anatomy & how to spot differences in plants
• Watercolour techniques such as tone & paint consistency
• Composition for creating a 'botanical illustration' style painting

By the end of the day you will have created a chunky sketchbook of botanical illustration experiment pages and a few more in depth paintings of what we have learned.

Your tutor:

Hi I'm Zara, your tutor for this beginnger's day course! I've been teaching watercolours in Brighton for three years and am at the point now where I really have a deep understanding of how watercolour works. In this class I'll be passing on every skill and bit of knowledge to send you on your watercolour journey. In 2016 - 2019 I studied illustration at Bristol University and since then have been painting plants & flowers as part of my job whether that be illustrations or large scale murals.

Low pressure:

This class is a mixture of learning something new and more in depth as well as just having a lovely day. It’s a very low pressure and friendly class - while learning techniques - the most important thing is to just experiment and see what happens.

What you'll come away with:

• A sketchbook filled with mark making, experiments, drawings and paintings
• A few more finalised paintings
• More techniques that can be used when painting in watercolour
• An understanding of how water, colour and the environment affect your painting

What's included:

• All materials
• 1 coffee per person

Who it's for:

Beginners and anyone keen on learning to paint in watercolour! Many people who come to my classes haven't painted since school - if you are one of those people you're very welcome. There is 0 drawing experience require for this workshop. Come with an open mind, and try not to pressure yourself to create a masterpiece but focus on experimenting and learning, thats the main thing :-)

How to get here:

The Clubhouse at Sealanes (see the photo above!)

Just be aware that because the promenade (the big metal structure that goes all the way along Marine Parade) is under construction, the stairs next to Sealanes may be closed. So you may need to either walk / get a taxi down from Dukes Mound or along from the Palace Pier.

Public Transport / walking

• You can get any coaster bus (12, 12a, 14, 27 ) and get off at Bedford Street and then walk down the stairs
• Or you can walk/cycle from the Palace Pier along the seafront

Parking on Madeira Drive:

4 hours £15.70

11 hours £23.70

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Host or Publisher Zara (Ginger Green)