SUPPLY LIST: Botanical Arts & Nature Sketching ‘09.Technique: Sketching & Drawing“ It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character.” --Camille Pissarro• Pencil – Any.
• Eraser – Any.
• Pen or pen set – Black, waterproof, archival.
• Seating – (suggest the 3 leg sketch stool that folds away as compactly as a short umbrella).
• Miscellaneous - Post-it notes; Ruler; Drafting tape; Camera; Hand lens.
Technique: Painting [Choose either: Watercolor or Pastel]Technique: Watercolor Option " If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” -Vincent Van Gogh [NOTE: ‘watercolor’ is abreviated as 'w/c'].
• Paint - A compact w/c travel set. Place in a ziplock bag.
• Watercolor Pad – (2) Small. My preference is spiral bound and for painting on location, no larger than 8 1/2 x 11’ish. You’ll work at your own pace, but I would suggest bringing a third pad. Should you lean toward the ‘prolific.’ Secure each with a thick rubber band and/or ‘bulldog clamps’ for windy days. Slip each book in its on ziplock bag.
• Brushes - (1) small (1) medium w/c round. Optional: (1) medium w/c flat.
• Water contanier & rag.
• Palette- Small and lidded with wells. The pricier w/c travel sets mentioned above will have palette, brush and often water container built- in.
Technique: Pastel Option"I would like to paint the way a bird sings.”--Claude Monet • Chalk Pastels – Best and biggest set your budget and suitcase will allow.
• Paper - (2 or 3) 9 x 12' ish, spiral bound, pastel paper pads. [Slip glassine paper, wax paper, or tracing paper between each page].
• Eraser -Kneaded and white vinyl; Small soft chamois.
• Optional - Cotton balls & swabs; (1 or 2) stiff old w/c brushes; Wet hand wipes or hand towel inside of a ziplock bag.
Technique: Other"Use what talents you posses, the woods would be very silent if only those birds that sang best sang."--Henry Van DykeIf you are choosing to bring in and work in some other medium, make sure you have all related supplies, materials, tools and equipment for success. And remember, we are working mainly out doors/ in the field/ in- situ /en plein air.
Musings “Not all who wander are lost.”-- J.R.R. Tolkien • Dress in layers prepared for all outdoor conditions. Antigua is in the mountains, so days are warm and evenings cool even in summer.
• Wide brimmed hat; cotton bandana; sunglasses.
• Backpack - ALL supplies must fit inside. Antigua has old cobbled streets and we need to move about hands free. NOTE: An option to the backpack is the.....
• Fishing Vest/Photograpers Vest- Lots of zippered pockets, mesh, snaps etc hold all your art gear. There are delightful versions, in colorful native textiles available in the markets of Antigua!
Critique"Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you'll be criticized anyway”--Eleanor RooseveltInstruction is gentle and encouraging. Each day building more skills and gaining greater confidence based upon the lessons learned and mastered the day before.
Outcomes"In creating, the only hard thing is to begin; a grass blade's no easier to make than an oak."-- James Russell LowellSubject matter and genres vary. Your sketchbook/field journal/body of work becomes more varied and complex as days progress. Our focus will be on process and product and the joy of being an artist in this lovely outdoor setting.
Questions? Contact me. Email:
padillapost@gmail.com Workshop Notification:http://www.artinstructor.blogspot.com/ Antique Botanicals:http://antiquebotanical.blogspot.com LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiapadilla Join my international botanical arts forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/botanicalart Typical images of what we might see and paint in Antigua: http://www.flickr.com/groups/391329@N20/pool/
