Specialization in Botanical and Naturalistic Illustration Techniques

Overview

“In this lesson, we will sketch flowers and catch bright colors. The process remains very similar. We start with close observation to understand the geometry and to look for the best point of view. We stand very close to the flower and draw first with fineliner, starting by the foreground. But for the color, we will apply some much brighter colors. Flowers are the most elaborated evolution of botanic, to allow successful reproduction and genetic diversification. The flower must be easy to spot in a field or a wood and attractive to insects or birds to be functional. So, our illustration must be as spectacular, colorful and attractive as those flowers. The watercolor must be brighter than what you see. First of all, because once dry the watercolor will lose 10 - 15 % of its intensity, and also because from my experience, a subject will always look more realistic when pushing a bit its characteristics. You have to look for the right balance between caricature and realism. My illustrations are somewhere in between, an interpretation of what I see to focus on the singularity of my model. And finally, we will apply my final touch: fluorescents Gelly Rolls, just a pinch, so that we don't make it look too artificial. ”

In this video lesson Domestika addresses the topic: Colour and Texture: Bright Colours 1, which is part of the Domestika online course: Specialization in Botanical and Naturalistic Illustration Techniques. Develop botanical illustration skills with watercolor, gouache, and ink techniques, blending realism and artistic expression.

Partial transcription of the video

“In this lesson, we will apply the same techniques to draw some flowers and to paint them. I feel lucky today because I've got peony, which is my favorite flower. It's a complex flower. To not get a regular number of petals. So first again, the process remains the same. We start with a line, linework. Then, about the watercolor, we will apply the main pink tone and get more of the shade and the darker area. It will be a... It's quite a long process because it's a complicated drawing. I will not explain too much about the drawing, It's again, sketching First, what is the closest to you? This ...”

This transcript is automatically generated, so it may contain mistakes.

Course summary for: Specialization in Botanical and Naturalistic Illustration Techniques

• Level: Beginner
• 92 students
• 7 units
• 115 lessons (1d 1h 25m)
• 38 downloads

• Category

  Illustration

• Areas

  Botanical Illustration, Drawing, Fine Arts, Naturalistic Illustration, Painting, Sketchbook, Sketching, Traditional illustration, Watercolor Painting