The Winter Sketchbook: Botanical Illustration at Hestercombe

Learn how to capture beautiful botanical subjects through careful observation at the peaceful and inspirational surroundings at Hestercombe Gardens.

Artist and illustrator Katherine O'Shea will take you 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 winter grounds to collect shapes, textures, and seasonal details 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.

Friday 9th - 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.

Friday 16th - 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.

Friday 23rd - Introducing Colour: Looking at colour matching, and experimenting with more contemporary styles such as silhouettes, complimentary colours, and limited palettes.

Friday 30th - 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.

Class times: 10am - 12.30pm

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. To book individual classes, please follow the ticket link above, click 'details' and adjust the quanity of each class listed. 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 cancellation policy, or if you would like to buy this as a gift and would like a gift voucher, please contact Katherine at info@katherineoshea.co.uk or 07763 554 188