|
I do like a botanical art exhibition which takes us back to the roots (and leaves, berries and flowers) of the original rationale for botanical illustration - within books about recipes for medicines.  A two week exhibition at the Royal College of Physicians comprises:
Below you can find out more about
0 Comments
Between 1991 and 1996, Kathy Pickles exhibited every year at the RHS Botanical Art Show. Each year she won a Gold Medal for her exhibit. In 2015, after nearly 20 years, she returned for a sixth time - and won a sixth Gold Medal. This time she managed to display 16 paintings - eight of Fritillaries and eight of Hellebores. I've been sorting out my videos of interviews with botanical artists and realised that I'd never made a video of an interview with Kathy in 2015 into a 'proper' published video. So below you can find my video interview with Kathy Pickles on 27 February 2015 at the RHS Botanical Art Show in the Lindley Hall Westminster - which has now been uploaded to my new Botanical Art and Artists Video Channel on YouTube In it she advises on why it's always a good idea to go and view botanical art in person - especially at the top shows. In 2017, Kathy returned for a seventh time and won her seventh Gold Medal for her display of paintings of Clematis. The Judging Panel happened to include the renowned clematis grower Raymond Evison!  Kathy Pickles with her seventh Gold Medal in 2017  Three of Kathy Pickles's paintings of clematis in 2017 To find out more about Kathy Pickles - or even ask her a question you can find her at:
Many thanks to those who visit and consult Botanical Art and Artists.
Today this website recorded its 750,000th visitor in just over 3 years. If you'd like to subscribe to this news blog Blog posts are emailed to you when youSubscribe to Botanical Art & Artists - News by Email Iceni Botanical Artists Exhibition  An exhibition by the Iceni Botanical Artists group opened this week (on 14th August) and continues until 9th September at The Apex, Bury St. Edmunds. IP33 3FD. The exhibition is open 10am - 5pm Monday to Saturday and then 10am - 4pm on Sunday. Admission is free and all paintings are for sale. Iceni Botanical Artists are a group of artists from East Anglia. They've recently published a book about Breckland Wild Flowers of the Heaths and Grasslands. Simon Williams at Nature in Art  Simon Williams, the Director of the SBA's Distance Learning Diploma Course is the Artist in Residence at Nature in Art in Gloucester this week (until Sunday 19th August) - and he's got his RHS Gold Medal winning exhibit of Nepenthes with him! Nepenthes are carniverous plants!
I'm sure he'd be delighted to talk about either - or botanical painting with goauche! Nature in Art is 2 miles north of Gloucester at Twigworth on the A38 (SatNav Postcode: GL2 9PG) When I interview the botanical artists who have just won an RHS Gold Medal at the RHS Botanical Art Show, I always ask them for tips for those aspiring to do the same. In 2017 I was rewarded - more than I can say - by hearing from Mariko Ikeda who won the Best Exhibit prize at the RHS London Botanical Art Show 2017. She wanted to thank me profusely for everything I've written before as it really helped her with preparing her exhibit!  Pandanus by Mariko Ikeda - Gold Medal and Best Exhibit at the RHS Botanical Art Show 2017 (photo Katherine Tyrrell) Then Kate Barling, another exhibitor, found me to thank me for the tip about how to mount the work - and I collected another tip from her which you'll find below!
So the bottom line is what goes around comes around.
Note: Unfortunately last year I started this post but forgot finish it. But it's never too late to pass on a few more tips! READ ON for my very belated post about the top tips from the RHS Gold Medallists in 2017 - which is now complete! Today I have some of the Tips I received from my interviews with the RHS Gold Medal Winners at last month's RHS Botanical Art Show. AND Later this week you will also have tips from the RHS Gold Medal Winners in 2017 too! This is because although I drafted most of it last year for some reason I didn't finish the post and publish it! This is a LONG POST with lots of content - so you might want to get a hot drink and a notebook before you start to read! It's been my habit, for some years, to ask each of the Gold Medal Winners who speaks reasonable English to tell me what would be the three tips they'd like to pass on to people aspiring to exhibit at the RHS Botanical Art Show. Some include ones I've heard before - but good tips are always worth repeating. I have however omitted
TIP: Focus on what you are passionate about AGM Dryopteris: species and cultivars of Dryopteris ferns with an Award of Garden Merit - Laura Silburn GM (2013, 2014) Recommended by Laura Silburn and various artists. More than one artist told me this - in various ways. Variations include:
It is so much easier to complete a major project - such as a portfolio for an RHS Botanical Art Show if you are in love with your subject matter. TIP: Being a grower helps a lot! Simon Williams - Nepenthes Recommended by Simon Williams Nepenthes Simon Williams told me he has been growing carniverous plants since he was 16 - and loves them. He's invested in heated greenhouses. The advantages of being a grower are that you get to see your plants through a complete life cycle and can watch them through every season. TIP: Keep a sketchbooksThis is the third of my three book reviews this week. It contains:
Botanical Painting is the latest in the series of books written by Margaret Stevens, past president of the Society of Botanical Artists.  When The Art of Botanical Painting by Margaret Stevens (with the SBA) was published in 2004 it became the standard text for the Distance Learning Diploma Course pioneered by the Society of Botanical Artists - and sold a LOT of copies - and not just to DLDC students! I initially thought that Botanical Painting by Margaret Stevens (with the SBA) - published by Batsford on 2 August 2018 - was going to be a revamped and revised edition of the first book. That's because:
In this new book the Society of Botanical Artists provides a comprehensive guide to the different styles and methods of botanical painting, harvesting the talent of both Members and Distance Learning Diploma Course students around the world, past and present. Botanical Painting features techniques and materials for all levels and demonstrates how these skills can be used to develop your own expertise However, I regret to say that, in my view, this book does NOT replace 'The Art of Botanical Painting' which in my opinion remains the better book for instruction.
If limited funds mean you have to choose between the two, I'd recommend you buy the first book rather than the latest publication. It'll also cost you less! Let me explain why... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Botanical Art with Scientific Illustration by botanical artist/illustrator and tutor Sarah Jane Humphrey is PACKED full of content relevant to the artist and illustrator who aspires to a professional career in botanical art and illustration - a lot of which is not covered in other books. It will be getting a more in-depth review on Botanical Art and Artists in the near future - including a review of the ebook version!  Botanical Art with Scientific Illustration by Sarah Jane Humphrey (Published by Crowood Press July 2018) Overall, I'm impressed with this book. It very much comes across as the work of a full time professional botanical artist/illustrator/tutor who earns her keep from her work. Well worth a look for those who aspire to becoming a professional rather than just painting good botanical paintings. This book was published on the first day of the RHS Botanical Art Show last month - at which Sarah Jane Humphrey, the author, won an RHS Gold Medal. Not a bad week! ;)  Sarah Jane Humphrey with part of her Gold Medal winning display of Medicinal Plants at the RHS Botanical Art Show (July 2018) What distinguishes this book is that Sarah Jane has reconfigured the "what do you need to know to be a botanical artist" instruction book. This is emphatically NOT a "how to paint" step by step book. This is a book which is more suitable for all those who have acquired some skills and competence in drawing and painting - and now need to move up a gear. It's written in a conversational style which I think a lot of people will find very accessible. Importantly, much of what she talks about
This book offers great value for money! It is very dense in terms of content - and will definitely reward more than one read. I'd expect aspiring botanical artists to reference it many times. Chapters which impressed me included those which talked about matters which sometimes get too little attention. It's not so much she is saying anything completely novel so much as covering all the aspects that people need to think about in more depth than often happens.
I'd recommend botanical artists wanting to make a career from their art to buy this book on the strength of Chapter 12 alone - about professional practice. I've not yet seen any other book which provides comprehensive cover of contemporary professional BUSINESS practice for the botanical artist and scientific illustrator - including how much time needs to be invested in a multitude of activities and the other knowledge and skills you need to learn - other than drawing and painting - in today's digital world. Success is not all down to being the best painter you can be! I was really surprised to find that the publisher's description understates the real value of this book - within the context of what else is on offer. I suggest they have a rethink! Incidentally, I queried with the Crowood Press why they had published two books about botanical art and illustration at more or less the same time (see yesterday's post REVIEW: Botanical Illustration - The Complete Guide by Leigh Ann Gale) - and they said they were very different books - and they were absolutely correct! Both are packed full of information and both are good but for different reasons. I've taken a look at the ebook version - and read it using Adobe Digital Editions. I've not yet seen the Kindle version. I can confirm it's constructed as a proper ebook with the ability to navigate via the table of contents. My personal preference is for the paperback - but then I like 'proper' books! Publication date: 11 Jun. 2018 (Launched at the RHS Botanical Art Show!) Publisher: The Crowood Press Ltd; Illustrated edition Format: Paperback: 176 pages | 429 colour illustrations Language: English ISBN-10: 1785004190 Retail Price: £18.99 E-Book Edition: £14.99 (incl. VAT) Price on Amazon UK: various - around c.£14 for both paperback and Kindle Price on Amazon.com: c.$38; Kindle $19 Note: I was sent a copy to review by the publishers, having talked to Sarah Jane about the book at the RHS Botanical Art Exhibition. About the authorSarah Jane Humphrey is a botanical artist, a natural science illustrator, an author and a tutor. Graduated from Falmouth University with an Honours Degree in Illustration. In 2018 she was awarded a Gold Medal by the RHS for Medicinal Fruits and their symbiosis with Pollinators. She delivers workshops on Botanical Illustration in Cornwall . She is represented by the Wildlife Art Company for illustration work and has had a wide variety of clients for her illustration work. Website: https://www.sarahjanehumphrey.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahjane.illustration/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahgalerie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahgalerie/ The Best Botanical Art Instruction Books |
AuthorKatherine Tyrrell writes about botanical art and artists and has followers all over the world. BAA Visitors so far....Subscribe to BAA NewsBlog posts are emailed to you when you
Your subscription is:
ONLY to this blog + ONLY activated IF you verify the link you will receive. It will NOT be used for anything else and will NEVER be given to anybody else.
You can unsubscribe at any time
Copyright© Katherine Tyrrell 2015-18
Unauthorised use or duplication of ANY material on this blog without written permission is strictly prohibited. Please also respect the copyright of all artists featured here. What's your news?This blog highlights news - in brief - about botanical art exhibitions around the world.
Use the Contact form to tell me about an exhibition and provide a summary of relevant information. If listing your event I will ask you for relevant images. The Best Botanical Art Instruction BooksTap the pic to check out my recommendations
The Best Books about Botanical Art HistoryTap the pic to check out my recommendations
Workshops, Classes & CoursesFind out about botanical art workshops, classes courses offered by various organisations and artists in:
Read other Botanical Art BlogsREAD Blogs about botanical art and/or by botanical artists & illustrators
Categories
All
BAA News Archives
August 2018
Archive (MaM)This page Botanical Art & Artists on my main blog has an archive of blog posts about past exhibitions of the Society of Botanical Art and Artists
|
RSS Feed
