Botanical painting – sunflowers with Mariella Baldwin

Botanical art

Ref: SLW11922

Suitable for all £381
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About this course

An opportunity to make a painted study of sunflowers focusing on a simple drawing and a step-by-step guide to painting in order to make a convincing representation of these gorgeous flowers.

Course Description

The Walled Garden prides itself on its fabulous summer colours and this will be a perfect opportunity to spend two days immersed in the study of sunflowers. The course is suitable for all, but it would be useful to have some experience of drawing and watercolour to get the most from the course.

You will be shown how to simplify the drawing of this complex flower and create a three-dimensional watercolour painting that looks as if it could be plucked from the page. During the course, you will be given tips on colour mixing and watercolour techniques through demonstrations and individual guidance. You will be given simple but comprehensive course notes that you can follow in order to complete your painting at home.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

What students need to bring

  • A china watercolour palette or plain white saucer/plate
  • A magnifying glass (if you have one might be useful but not essential)
  • Any items you may have from the available to buy list below

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • A4 Cartridge paper smooth
  • A4 Tracing paper
  • Hot pressed watercolour paper, approximately A3. (Arches, Bockingford, or similar) One
  • large sheet cut into 4, or from a pad.
  • Watercolour paints, preferably Artists’ Quality, suggested colours: Winsor Lemon,
  • Permanent Rose, French Ultramarine, Phthalo Green, Indian Yellow, Burnt Sienna, Raw
  • Sienna, Winsor Violet.
  • White china watercolour palette or plain white saucer/plate
  • HB and 2H pencil
  • Eraser, ruler, pencil sharpener
  • Magnifying glass if you have one - but not essential
  • Watercolour brushes - Ideally sable miniature, size 1, 3 and 5. Synthetic will be OK
  • A3 sheet of Bockingford St. Cuthbert’s Mill or Arches hot-press watercolour paper (or similar)
  • Tubes of watercolour paint Winsor and Newton French Ultramarine,
  • Winsor Lemon, Permanent Rose, Phthalo Green, Indian Yellow
  • 1 watercolour brush synthetic (size 5)
  • 1 sable watercolour brush miniature (size 3)
  • Masking tape
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear i.e. no open-toed shoes or sandals.

Tutors

Mariella Baldwin

Mariella Baldwin studied botanical illustration at the English Gardening School, London and received an MA in Visual Arts from Sussex University. Her paintings are held in collections both in the UK and USA. She is a painting member of Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society. Her book 'Botanical Painting' was published in 2011.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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