What do you say to budding artists when they ask you how they should develop their skills as a botanical artist?
Sandra Wall Armitage
That the eye and good accurate observation is essential and plenty of practice.
Kathleen Baker
You need to be observant, read up on the detailed botanical structure of plants generally and the species you are about to paint in particular. Dissection of the flower will reveal its structure. Practise drawing whenever you can and also try out the techniques mentioned in the many flower painting books.
Susan Christopher-Coulson
Probably the most useful skills to develop initially are accurate observation and drawing.
Susan Dalton
When asked by budding artists how they should develop their skills as a botanical artist, I advise them to look at works by other botanical artists, to look very closely at whatever specimen it is they are painting, to paint what they see and not what they think they see, to constantly try to make their next painting better than the last and lastly, never to be completely satisfied with any painting they produce.
Brigitte Daniel
Learn how to look. This is the most important skill. Do not try to adopt the style of another – develop your own style that matches your relationship with the plant. You have to love what you paint.
Susan Hillier
Practice.
Jennifer Jenkins
I advise them (depending on their level of ability) to either enter an appropriate botanical art class, or join the SBA Distance Learning course.
Kay Rees Davies
I advise “budding artists” to work slowly and carefully after a detailed scrutiny of the specimen. Learn to look at the structure of the plant – how many stamens, the position of the veins, and so on. Work on the leaves as much as the flowers – they are just as important and frequently neglected. Make notes of the colours you use, making a chart so that the paint can be matched if you run out. Mix enough paint using a large, old brush. Many beginners use a small brush, mix a minute amount of paint and spend a lot of time mixing more.
Margaret Stevens
There is only one way to develop as a botanical artist and that is to pracise, practise, and practise. The three peas – practise, perseverance, and precision! Keep that up for a few years and if you have some natural talent your work will eventually hit the spot.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Continue to Grounds in Various Media
Return to Colors in Palette or Pencil Case
ArtPlantae Today 