A week in Canberra

I have just returned from a week in Canberra where I taught a workshop on Painting Australian Native Plants at the Canberra Botanical Gardens. It was a wonderful week of sharing my knowledge with an enthusiastic group of students, catching up with friends and enjoying the autumn ambience.

 

When visiting Canberra I am always concerned about the "cold" as it can be very bitter. This time I stayed with the lovely Helen and Koos and they kept their house beautifully warm. I also took my own electric blanket. The room I taught in had underfloor heating so I was really comfortable.

 

The weather was the nicest I have every experienced in Canberra. It was mild during the days and up to around 20-23 degrees. Beautiful!

 

Glorious Canberra sunset
 

The autumn leaves were just amazing! In Sydney the weather hasn't been cold enough to turn the leaves into the wonderful orange, reds and yellow hues.

 

 

While I was there I attended the opening of the exhibition  showcasing the Queanbeyan Craft and Design. There was an array of crafts from blown glass, beautiful hand built sculptures (one in particular I would have loved to have bought, but it was quite large and I just wouldn't have room for it), silver jewellery and much more.

 

However, I fell in love with an exquisite glass vase about 13 cm high. It has a thick soft green base and when held up to the light, a beautiful rich red just above the base. Its colours remind me of autumn. The surface is very tactile with a brushed finish and a subtle design. It feels to lovely to hold in my hand, and it just glows when held up to the light. This was made by Harriet Schwarzrock from the Curtis Glass Studio in Queanbeyan.

 

It has pride of place in my studio where the light falls on it, creating a harmonious range of warm colours.

 

 

I am very much looking forward to returning to the Gardens in September where I am teaching another workshop on Banksias - and there were some in their full glory while I was there.

 











Workshop Canberra Botanic Gardens

Yesterday saw the sun setting after a glorious day - and the bats flying directly over our apartment. Some fly so low I feel I could reach up and touch them.

Notice the two bats in the photo. Sometimes there are many many dozens of them.

 

Have been working on my new painting of the Banksia prionotes and making good progress, as much as time will allow. I am working on the detailed areas now, which is my favourite part. I love the meditative experience of botanical painting, as it takes you into another world, where time stands still while you paint away contentedly.

 

In a few days I will be heading off to Canberra, where I am teaching a three-day workshop at the Botanical Gardens on 'Painting Australian Native Plants'. The subjects will be taken (under strict supervision) from the Gardens.

 

I am looking forward immensely to my stay in Canberra and meeting more of the lovely ladies that paint there. I will be sure to take lots of warm clothes as it has been very cold in the mornings and evenings.

 

Here are a few progess photos of my banksia painting.

 

 

 

 



 

and this is where I am now -

 

 

 

 

Not much time to finish this painting before I go - as have quite a bit of preparation to do for the workshop. So near and yet so far.....

 

 

I already have the subject and design in my head for my next painting, which will be something a little different.

Coloured Pencil DVD

I have just reviewed an excellent instructional DVD by coloured pencil artist Jacqueline Pemberton from WA. I am in awe of the amazing botanical art work Jacqui produces. The DVD takes you through every step along the way from start to finish on the processes of coloured pencil techniques. The materials are extremely important and different types of pencils are used for differing purposes.

 

If you have ever wanted to "have a go" using coloured pencils, this comprehensive DVD is for you! It is also available in a two-part set - Jacqui's DVD covers the processes of botanical art and materials, and Helen Fitzgerald's DVD in the set is a "Splash and Dash" guide to the basic coloured pencil techniques using free expression. The materials in this DVD are also explained very clearly. Enjoy!

 

See Jacqui's website for more information: www.jacquelinepemberton.com There is also a promotional DVD on this website so you can view before you purchase.

 

 

 



A Book a Week - 1. 'Botany for Artists - Lizabeth Leech

I have some wonderful and varied books in my collections. Some I just "had to have" and glanced through, promising myself I would return to them and luxuriate at leisure in the information and wonderful paintings and photographs.

 

I am sure many of you will relate to this. So I have decided to take a book a week, read and enjoy it, and pass my information on to you. I certainly have books for everyone.

 

The first book in this series I would like to share is very scientifically botanical. But remember, in the many weeks to come, there will be a book to whet everyone's appetite.

 

 BOTANY FOR ARTISTS

by Lizabeth Leech

 

 



 

A member of the Hampton Court Palace Florilegium Society (HCPFS), Lizabeth Leech is also a botanist and a renowned botanical artist.

 

This user-friendly book has over 350 informative photographs, paintings and line drawings by both Lizabeth and members of the HCPFS and is an accessible introduction to the wonderful world of plants. It was written in response to students and artists' questions regarding botanical aspects of various subjects, in order to confidently produce a botanically accurate painting.

Malus domestica 'Discovery' apple - Beth Phillip
Chapter 5 - Fruits and Seeds
 

Flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, stems and carnivorous plants, as well as cacti and succulents, cone bearing trees, ferns, mosses, fungi and lichen are some of the chapters covered.

 

The book includes Helpsheets for most plant groups, helping the artist recognise and develop their observational skills. It is also a guide to plant identification and recognising their important and unique features by understanding their structure.

 

It is targeted to anyone interested in plants and flowers and those wishing to draw and paint them, by marrying technical accuracy with aesthetical representation.

 

The chapter of Topics of Interest incorporates the correct botanical Latin names, choosing a typical representative specimen, keeping the specimen in good condition, photographic information and much more.

 

This fascinating book would be a valuable tool in any botanical artist's collection. 

• Published by Crowood Press, Marlborough, Wiltshire UK. The Australian distributors are Peribo Pty Ltd, Mt Kuring-gai, NSW. www.peribo.com.au

As I look over shelf after shelf of books, I am quite excited about what I will choose for next week's review. It will have a botanical flavour, but will be very, very different and will appeal to a much larger audience. Have I whetted your appetite?

 

A-Z of Pen and Wash Sketching

My latest article for Artist's Back to Basics magazine has just been published in the latest edition.

 

It is six pages of "The A-Z of Pen & Wash Sketching".

 

I have an article published in this magazine every quarterly issue - everything from removing paint spots on watercolour paper to using a light source and how to achieve three dimensionality on a two dimensional surface. It is a great magazine for "taking you back to basics".

 

Page 1 (of 6)



Botanica Exhibition

I have taken my 5 paintings into the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens for their annual exhibition opening to the public on Saturday 13th April. This is Sydney's major botanical art exhibition.

 

I was very pleased with the framing which totally enhanced my two framed paintings. The Art Scene in West Ryde (Sydney) has as usual done superb work. I do not go anywhere else for framing, as  I have tried some local framers with very disappointing results. There is no comparison with exhibiting a painting with a custom frame, and that of a ready made (for the masses) frames.

 

I finished off three unframed paintings which can be sold together or separately, as they are A4 size, which is a size that is quick and easy to finish - although don't pack the punch of larger paintings, which make a real statement on the walls.

 

I have begun work on a large banksia painting, so will post some images of that soon.

 

Hakea baxteri (unframed)

 



Grevillea baxteri (unframed)

 



Harbour Bridge Sketch

My excurisons into the city are always so enjoyable. I can walk into the city from my place, so it isnt as if I have a long journey to get there. It is a time factor. I am usually busy with other projects and of course - work.

 

I say to myself  "I must do this more often" and I should. Below is my sketch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay.

 

 



On to another topic, I was given a beautiful bunch of Australian native plants and flowers. I fell in love with a Banksia prionotes so have become a little obsessed with that. Yesterday afternoon I did the drawing of the flower and today will do the leaves - all ready to begin the painting.

 

I will be running some Banksia workshops this year. The thing to remember is "There are no shortcuts!"  I love detail, so I love painting the intricate details. Takes me into another world.