Botanical Sketching Techniques
All levels | 2 hours 20 min
Botanical Sketching Techniques
01:24
10:49
14:29
03:33
40:27
34:46
33:46
01:31
Taught by David Tenorio
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Few things are more rewarding to sketch than botanicals. Fine artist and art coach David Tenorio emphasizes the importance of observing and respecting your reference material, and also encourages leaving some aspects of the work in process. In this class, learn essential elements of sketching plants, including lending 3D quality to leaf and flower shapes, creating varied line quality, and exploring a range of botanical images to add interest to your work. This class starts with simple sketches before moving onto more detailed drawings and is designed to build confidence in your core drawing skills, increase your set of techniques, and encourage a relaxed time to create. David inspires a conversation between drawing and painting, adding richness to the work, always remembering that, as Emily Dickenson said, "Beauty is not caused, it is.
Here’s what you’ll need:
  • Watercolor paper - David is using Fluid Field Watercolor Journal by Speedball, 8x8, 140lb, cold press finish
  • Watercolor paints of your chosing. David's palette includes:
  • Hansa Yellow Light (DS)
  • Perm. Yellow Deep (H)
  • Yellow Ochre (DS)
  • Light Red (WN)
  • Cadmium Red (WN)
  • Quinacridone Rose (DS)
  • Cobalt Blue (WN)
  • Manganese Blue Hue (DS)
  • Ultramarine Blue (DS)
  • Cobalt Teal (MG)
  • Sap Green (DS)
  • Viridian (WN)
  • Burnt Umber (WN)
  • Raw Umber (WN)
  • Neutral Tint (MG)
  • ​Daniel Smith=DS, Holbein=H, Winsor Newton=WN, M. Graham=MG)
  • Watercolor palette - David is using Mijello 
  • Round brush, size #10, - David is using Escoda “Ultimo” Travel Watercolor Brush
  • Water cup, David is using Faber-Castell Clic & Go Water Pot
  • Posca White Paint Marker Ultra Fine .7mm
  • Waterproof pen - David is using Zebra Sarasa Nano Gel Pen
  • Erasable colored pencil - David is using Primsacolor Carmine Red Col-Erase
  • Eraser - David is using Tombow Mono One plastic eraser
  • Paper towels - David recommends Viva brand
  • Ruler or straightedge (optional)
Downloads:
Learn how to:
  • Draw leaves, flowers, and mushrooms with visual interest
  • Use design theory to add character and dimention to your drawings
  • Sketch in pencil, direct draw with pen, and add color with watercolor 
  • Work with white and leave negative space when laying paint down
  • Add a composition frame, controlled splatter, and animation effects
Class PDF
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Botanical Sketching Techniques Reviews
32 users recommended this class to a friend
Melinda Gladman
Lots of great tips along the way. Very clear and allows for exploration of ideas.
2 days ago
 
Patricia Brock
learned a lot
May 10
1 
Moira Kirkpatrick
Great instruction. David is very articulate and easy to listen to, and he gives lots of useful information and tips to help one understand and get better at the sketching and painting process.
May 6
2