My first workshop of 2015 started where I had finished off in December at the Guelph School of Art in Guelph (Ontario). The workshop was on botanical drawing using pen & ink and watercolour washes (see project above), an interesting medium mix and technique for the botanical artist looking for something a little different.
Below: Pen & ink drawings with watercolour washes applied — Iris and poppy.
I chose a bearded iris for the workshop project, one that was subtle in its colouring so as to not distract from the pen and ink. I started out with a line drawing and then toned the subject with graphite to provide a base to add the ink layers (see below).
Above: Student project showing the graphite undertone stage of the drawing.
Below: Step-by-step handouts.
Once the graphite undertone is established, the first layer of ink is applied (see below). After completing the pen & ink layers, colour swatches are prepared and the watercolour washes are applied over the pen & ink drawing.
Below: Two finished student Iris drawing projects — Pen & ink with watercolour washes.
My next workshop will be in April at Hardy’s Hobbies & Crafts in Madoc, Ontario. The workshop will cover three days and will be on oil painting techniques — Still life, landscape and floral projects.
For more information on this event check out my website for details.
