Add an Insect - Illustrating Moths and Butterflies

During this fascinating course students will be shown how to make detailed drawings of butterflies and moths from actual specimens, some of which will be provided by the zoological museum in Oxford. The drawings will be transferred to watercolour paper and completed using the 'dry brush' watercolour technique which will be demonstrated by the tutor. The course will include colour theory and accurate colour mixing and matching. An ideal course for botanical illustrators who would like to enhance their flower studies by adding a butterfly. Suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience as each stage is carefully explained and demonstrated.

Suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience as each stage is carefully explained and demonstrated.

Preparation for the Course:

Please bring:
PAPER
Cartridge, or Drawing paper, a pad of A3 size paper for initial sketches.

Tracing paper (A3 size) for preparatory drawings or transferring work.

WATERCOLOUR PAPER
Hot Pressed paper (HP) is the most suitable paper for detailed watercolour work. (NB One approx. A3 size piece of watercolour paper will be sufficient for a weekend course.) The highest quality watercolour papers are made from 100% cotton fibres known as ‘rag’. The best papers are acid free. A suitable weight is 140lb.
Recommended Trade Names: Arches, Fabriano (Artistico or Classico), Saunder’s Waterford, Winsor and Newton

PENCILS
HB
Soft putty eraser and pencil sharpener.

BRUSHES
Numbers 1 and 3 will be sufficient to begin. A good brush is essential for detailed work. Sable brushes are considered to be the highest quality but they are expensive. If you buy a less expensive synthetic alternative check the hairs return to a fine point after wetting (ask to test this at the point of purchase). A brush with hairs that separate will never be satisfactory. The fine point of the brush wears down with use.

WATERCOLOUR PAINTS
Artist’s watercolours are the best paints to buy, cheaper alternatives are the Winsor and Newton ‘Cotman’ range, or the Rowney ‘Georgian’ range. Ready made-up boxes tend to have a range of colours suitable for the ‘landscape’ artist. Occasionally retailers will exchange colours in a ‘ready made up’ box. Artists’ watercolour paints are expensive, it is advisable to buy a few at a time or when a particular colour is required.

Recommended colours include:-
Basic palette (Winsor and Newton)- Cadmium Lemon, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Permanent Rose, French Ultramarine, Cerulean Blue.

Green, orange, violet and a range of browns and greys can be mixed from the above colours.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Two water pots – one for washing the brush and the other for taking up clean water.

Mixing palette – usually plastic palettes are not recommended. A white porcelain mixing palette, a white saucer or a white tin plate will be more suitable

Cotton rag or tissue - for removing excess moisture from your brush.

If you would like additional information on this course, please contact the college on 01865 391991.