Botanical Drawing using Graphite and Coloured Pencils

by Sue Vize V

Drawing with graphite and coloured pencils enables the artist to capture every detail of a plant, and to enjoy, study and celebrate their wonderful forms. Whether the illustration is a striking monotone or vibrant with colour, pencils give you absolute precision. The book, written and illustrated by an award-winning botanical artist, introduces and explains the drawing skills behind the art. Each chapter concentrates on a different aspect of the plant, working upwards from the root system to include the stem, leaves, flowers and fruit. Fungi have also been included due to their close association with plants. Topics covered techniques on using graphite and coloured pencils; practical help on lighting, posture and keeping plants fresh; instruction on composition, colour charts and mixing; advice on portraying texture and hairs, and achieving bloom on fruit and finally, simple explanations of botany to aid the artist's understanding. With tips and advice throughout, the techniques are supported by step-by-step projects, clear exercises and over 300 colour illustrations.

Genres: Art

176 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2016

Reviews

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is tremendously comprehensive in what it covers: roots, tubers, bark, stems, flowers, fruit, fungi, etc. and the demonstrations at the end of the book are good. For those newer to drawing, it’s a bit problematic because she doesn’t explain why the sketches are so fuzzy and what she does to clean up the finished pieces so that they look so polished.

[Sharon Frei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide for botanical drawing.

This book provides great instruction starting with good composition, shading techniques , working in both graphite and colored pencils, and a myriad of tips to improve your drawing skills through Sep-by-step examples.

[Enola Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed and helpful.

[Judi Easley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a read once and done. This is one I'll have to go back to and redo the drawings and reread the text and think about.