My name is Katherine Tyrrell and I created 'Botanical Art and Artists'
The top compendium of botanical art past and present
for botanical artists & illustrators of today & tomorrow
The top compendium of botanical art past and present
for botanical artists & illustrators of today & tomorrow
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I'm a writer who writes about art for artists and art lovers
My main art blog Making A Mark has a large readership around the world (14 million+ page views in the last 13 years). I've been very interested in botanical art for a long time. I've written about it and highlighted relevant contemporary and historical botanical artists on a regular basis for the last 12 years - and I was interested and reading about it long before that. I developed a following around the world as a result. As a trained educator, I'm keen to support those who want to learn about botanical art and illustration in more ways than one. |
Katherine Tyrrell - sat in the Botanicals Restaurant at Kew Gardens.
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I created Botanical Art and Artists in 2015 to fill a gap.
I realised that while a number of websites provided an insight into part of the story of botanical art, there was no one website which
This website is a compendium which continues to develop and grow every month. It now provides signposts to other key resources - in terms of botanical artists and illustrators, websites, organisation and botanical art tutors/instructors |
Botanical Art and Artists is now the TOP compendium website about botanical art and artists in the world
(according to Alexa). It now regularly gets
You can find Botanical Art and Artists on Twitter - @botanicartists - although I'm most active on Facebook |
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I've also created a website about Art Business Info. for Artists after realising that very many of the artists I met needed help with the business side of their art endeavours - and that I could offer help and advice with that too.
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Plus I was commissioned to write a book about drawing and sketching by a Quarto imprint which was published internationally in 2015 (in the UK, USA and Asia - and probably a number of other countries too!)
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Below is the expanded version!
About Katherine Tyrrell - and botanical art
I retired early in 2005. Since then I've been writing blogs, websites, books and articles
and advising artists - as well as making and exhibiting art - with more than a little success.
and advising artists - as well as making and exhibiting art - with more than a little success.
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In addition to writing.....
I've been a huge fan of botanical art and illustration for very many years. As a child I used to love my mother's RHS Annual Desk Diary. It arrived in January every year filled with reproductions of artwork by famous botanical artists. I used to pore over every single illustration noting the differences in approach and admiring all those who were excellent - and learning all their names. I'm also an artist and fan of sketching (see below). I won a national painting competition age 6, studied art at school but then did nothing for many years while being sensible and 'academic' and then working for the government!. I now draw and sketch in dry media and exhibit my work as and when my eyes and arthritis allows. (see below) I also have a degree in education and a continuing interest in promoting learning. My past life involved a degree in Education from Cambridge University, an MBA from the London Business School; and two professional qualifications as both a teacher and an accountant. I worked at a very senior level in management consultancy/inspection and public services in government before I retired. I've also examined and moderated for my areas of professional expertise in the past. Currently I am a Visiting Lecturer on business topics at an Art School in London. My current activities involve
PLUS writing about art and the art business elsewhere on other sites |
I'm a big fan of the structures found in plants and love drawing them.
"Prelude" - a study of an allium bud bursting open (Katherine Tyrrell)
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PRINT Publications:
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I wrote an article for the Occasional Papers of the Lindley Library Volume 16 June 2018
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EXHIBITIONS: In the past I've exhibited my own artwork at the Annual Exhibitions of the Society of Botanical Artists and Florum - but I no longer exhibit.
A combination of arthritis and cataracts (now fixed but my near vision is still not at all good) and tenosynovitis in my drawing hand has limited my ability to follow the strict technical version of botanical illustration - much though I love it. However I continue to explore other ways of working. I love structures within plants, at a macro level, and in recent times have majored on drawing cacti and succulents. I'm told that my drawings has prompted those familiar with these plants to start looking at them more closely! |
The exhibition page on my portfolio website
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About Art Business Info. for Artists
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I spent many years working as a management consultant and inspector analysing / advising government organisations and others. Plus I also managed the support services for a £multi-million service.
For those interested in the business side of art, take a look at Art Business Info. for Artists.
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Arising out of the Business side of Art I'm also
I'm in some very good company!
You may like me to provide some help e.g.
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I also offer what I call "five minute freebies" in response to a short query about a specific issue where an artist needs help.
For example, it might be a request to look at a potential commission or exhibition opportunity and say whether or not it seems to me like a real business opportunity they should consider. Contact me if you have a quick question.
For example, it might be a request to look at a potential commission or exhibition opportunity and say whether or not it seems to me like a real business opportunity they should consider. Contact me if you have a quick question.
About my book about drawing and sketching
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My other big love is sketching and I'm the author of a book about drawing and sketching published in the UK, USA and Asia in January 2015.
My book Sketching 365 (published by Quarto) includes a four page section on drawing and sketching plants and flowers.
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The Facebook Page for the book is Katherine Tyrrell: 365 Tips for Drawing and Sketching
The exhibition page on my portfolio website
Sketching 365: Build your confidence and skills with a tip a day
 - from Amazon.co.uk
The book is also published (with a different cover) in the USA as Drawing 365: Tips and Techniques to Build Your Confidence and Skills
 from Amazon.com
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A far cry from other dry, run-of-the-mill art instruction books, 365 Hints & Tips for Drawing & Sketching uses concise, easy-to-follow text to engage readers and guide them through each different technique, covering everything from how to hold a pencil to how to achieve depth and balance composition, as well as tips for tackling specific subjects
About my art blog - 'Making A Mark'
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I started writing about art on Making A Mark at the beginning of January 2006. Since then:
A super comprehensive affair, Katherine Tyrrell’s blog is a go-to for punters and artists alike. Making a Mark includes useful annual itineraries of major UK art exhibitions (though the bulk are London-based) as well as a meticulous calendar of competitions for artists to enter. Expect in-depth news, analysis and a focus on fostering new talent Read more about me and my blog in this interview post Blogger Spotlight: Making A Mark and Katherine Tyrrell
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Making A Mark - My 10th anniversary blog post in January 2016
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