Learning to draw botanicals ...

 

I am a life long learner, always willing to try something new because you never know if you will like it or be any good unless you try it. 

I did a morning workshop with the lovely Emma to try out glass painting with my friend Ellie & what a great time we had.  I really liked her way of supporting people on the day. While there, I noticed a set of 4 workshops for Botanical drawing & I chatted to Emma before I left. I have not spent enough time drawing & so mine are rather basic, but that is why you seek out a workshop & a tutor to guide you through the process.

Even more delightful is that the 4 workshops are held in the stunning Shrewsbury library. I shared the long history in this blog post of the 450 years of Shrewsbury library. It is a fascinating place, pop over & read the post. 

A delightful group of 10 of us ladies gathered in the Darwin room of the library for the workshops. Some took art lessons, some painting lessons & then at least half of us were like me - enthusiastic beginners,  & we skilfully learnt the basics of drawing, pen & pencil work each week, making noticeable progress through the stages until our drawings look very botanical  & pleasing. 

Emma's knowledge & skills certainly had a lot to do with our progress because she suggested improvements with great patience so that we were supported & enthusiastic about it. 

It certainly has made me happier to have a go at botanicals because of the skills we have learnt, I know there is heaps more to learn but practice is the key to learning any new skill. The muscle memory is important, remembering the skills & applying them. 

I have signed up for another 4 week course / workshop in November which will look at winter botanicals. That will be very handing in the run up to the festive season when darker days keep you inside more.

While out in the forests last weekend, I picked various leaf shapes & pressed them as a reference because you look at leaves but don't really see the shapes, veins & details you need when drawing. I pressed them in a magazine & it is a great reference to actually look at them closely. 

I have been spending time practising my drawings, it is not natural yet & I still have to refer to the drawings we did with Emma, but it is a lot quicker & more defined which is hugely satisfying. 

Several of the ladies commented that they will join another set of workshops & I hope they do because it was a lovely group of women. 

Do tell if you indulge your passions or curiosity & try something new. Thank you for stopping by, it is appreciated.

Dee 🖌️👩‍🎨✍️💐🌷🥀🌺