The Spring Sketchbook: Botanical Illustration at Hestercombe

Katherine will be guiding students through the fundamentals of drawing using plant subjects, covering areas such as line vs. tone, complimentary colours, and detail. Using traditional techniques combined with more contemporary illustration methods, these workshops will allow people of all levels to develop a botanical sketchbook to treasure.

Each class begins with a short walk through Hestercombe’s Spring grounds to collect petals, leaves, and seasonal flowers to draw from. Back in the studio, you’ll be guided through supportive exercises designed to help you grow in confidence, discover your own drawing style, and enjoy time creating together as a group.

Depending on the weather, there will also be a chance to spending some creative time outside, sketching subjects from life as they emerge from the ground.

• Weds 29th April - Sketching Fundamentals: Covering the basics of capturing natural forms from real life, using quick sketching vs. slower concentrated drawing. Exploring the distinction between line and tone, and finding new ways of drawing that suit your level.
• Weds 6th May - Scale, Detail, and Layout: Learning how detail is affected by scale, and ways to use detail successfully. Choosing different layouts and compositions for sketchbooks and finished drawings.
• Weds 13th May - Introducing Colour: Looking at colour matching, and experimenting with more contemporary styles such as silhouettes, complimentary colours, and limited palettes.
• Weds 20th May - Mixing Materials: Bringing together a mix of materials and methods to help to create an ongoing sketchbook practice which is suited to you and your preferred style.

About the tutor:

Katherine is an illustrator and artist from Somerset. Her practice is focused on drawing, with an emphasis on detail and a strong foundation in observational sketching using traditional mediums.

She has a first class degree in Visual Communication (Illustration) and completed her art foundation at Central Saint Martins, as well as a residential course in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She has been a published children’s book illustrator since 2012.

In addition to her illustration work, Katherine teaches a range of creative workshops for different levels and ages. In her botanical art classes, she employs techniques learned from studying with the Royal Kew Gardens’ Artist-in-Residence alongside more accessible methods from contemporary illustration, so that everyone can find a way of drawing that feels right for them.

www.katherineoshea.co.uk / www.instagram.com/katherine.oshea

Booking info:

This is available to book as a series of all four classes, or as individual classes. Basic materials are included but you are welcome to bring your own, and a watercolour set and sable brushes are recommended for the colour workshop. To ask any questions, find out the cancelllation policy, or if you would like to buy this as a gift and woud like a gift voucher, please contact Katherine atinfo@katherineoshea.co.uk or 07763 554 188

Testimonials:

"It was really nice to feel your enthusiasm for the subject, and for you to broaden the scope of botanical illustration from the strictly scientific into something that was actually achievable for all of us, rather than just distant aspiration" - Louise

“Monday afternoon was exactly the start I needed ... Your approach matches my needs and, from the very start, you made me feel comfortable with being there” - Martin

"Having attended previous classes, I can highly recommend for anybody wanting to get started or to refresh or expand on existing skills. And it's wonderfully relaxing with a fabulous teacher!” - Beverley