Brazilian scientific illustrator Natanael Nascimento has won the Margaret Flockton Award 2018. 

​This Award and Exhibition at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is very prestigious and attracts submissions from scientific botanical illustrators from all over the world - as demonstrated by the prizewinners below.

This is very much an award for the professional botanical illustrator since it is very much focused on the plates produced for the record and for scientific botanical publications.

What happens is that illustrators from around the world

• digitally submit scientifically accurate taxonomic illustrations
• i.e. highly detailed black and white drawings primarily undertaken in pen and ink, pencil or digitally rendered.
• that accompany a published taxonomic description of the plant,
• with the drawing clearly highlighting all of the distinctive features of the species.

Bobbi Angell is a name which is well known to the botanical art and illustration community in the USA - but is maybe less well known further afield. 

My contribution to highlighting her contribution to scientific botanical illustration has been to create a new page about two books she co-authored which I think are particularly noteworthy. They were also published 30 years apart in 1986 and 2016. Both are very valued books in my botanical art bookcase.

Botanical Illustration - Books by Bobbi Angell is a NEW page among the group of pages which form a subset of The Best Botanical Art and Illustration Instruction Books​

It focuses on:

• Botanical Illustration: Preparation for Publication  (1986) by Noel H. Holmgren and Bobbi Angell
• A Botanist's Vocabulary: 1300 Terms Explained and Illustrated (2016) by Susan K. Pell and Bobbi Angell

The first book is 30 years old but contains an absolute wealth of information and how to prepare botanical illustrations for production and the approaches and materials used for this task

The second book is a book for a wider audience - but also has particular relevance to the student of botanical art, who needs to both understand technical botanical terms - and terms used by gardeners - and appreciate the standards in technical monochrome botanical illustration achieved by those who do it for a living.

READ MORE about them on Botanical Illustration - Books by Bobbi Angell 

You'll also find the above books listed on The Best Botany Books for Botanical Artist and Illustrators.

READ MORE about Bobbi Angell on her website or on my page about the top botanical artists in the USA

Certain instruction books or authors receive in-depth reviews - and get a page all to themselves. CLICK the links below to go to those pages.

SBA Books - in-depth reviews

• The Art of Botanical Painting
• The Botanical Palette
• Botanical Sketchbook

Books by popular botanical art tutors

• Books by Billy Showell
• Books with the Eden Project (Martin & Thurstan)
• Botanical Illustration (Oxley)
• Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils

Technical books about Botanical Illustration

• ​Botanical Illustration - Books by Bobbi Angell

Botany books for botanical artists

• Botany for the Artist

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This post puts on record all those artists who contributed to Abundance, seed pods and autumn fruit at the The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art in Kew Gardens before it ends on Sunday March 11th 2018.

The exhibition is open this weekend ​10am to 5pm (last admission 4.45pm). It includes artwork by botanical artists and illustrators from Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, UK and USA.

I did think of ordering works by methods of dispersion but that would have got very repetitive in terms of artists names!

​So the way it works is like this

• The list is alphabetical based on (1) the country they come from and (2) the surname of the artist.
• A link to their website (if they have one) is embedded in their name. Alternatively another page has been linked to if this tells you about an artist who doesn't have a website. 
• an asterisk * after their name indicates they are included in my current summary of artists for the country they live in - where you can read more about them. If the artist is deceased they will be listed in 20th century Botanical Artists in the history section. Those without an asterisk will be added soon!  ​
• The name is followed by basic bio data which indicates where they were born and live
• This is then followed by the title of the work. The common vernacular name is very often followed by the correct latin name in italics, (for more about naming plants see Plant Names and Botanical Latin in the Botany section on this website)
• Media: All paintings are watercolour on paper unless otherwise stated.  
• Artwork which has been published in one of Dr Sherwood's books includes the title of the book and page number (in green) after the title
• Those who have more than one artwork in the exhibition have the titles of the works bullet pointed below their names.

Some of the plants have interesting stories or names and these are also highlighted.

​Betty Hinton b.1935 Gin Gin, Queensland
Betty has painted a group of 'plant dinosaurs' from the tropical forest reserve at Daintree, north of Cairns

• Idiot Fruit Idiospermum australiense - gouache and watercolour on paper A Passion for Plants, pg 107  AND The Art of Plant Evolution page 74 and 75 

This very ancient plant has huge and heavy seeds. It was first discovered in the nineteenth century and then "lost" again as land was cleared. The fruit is classed as very poisonous by the Aborigines. If eaten by cattle they go mad. The tree is 15 metres tall and the flowers can only be retrieved by somebody climbing the tree to the top to cut off flowering branches - which is what happened in relation to this painting.

Mali Moir GM b.1960

• Ovuliferous Scale Bunya Pine Nut Araucaria bidwillii  2014 Watercolour on deer vellum

Jenny Phillips GM b.1949

• Corymbia ficifolia 1998 Watercolour on vellum 
• Sausage Tree Kigelia africana 1999 

Álvaro Xavier Núñez  b.1945 Annapolis, Brazil
One the best known of the contemporary Brazilian botanical artists, Álvaro specialises in painting plants from all the different ecosystems within Brazil - and has seven paintings in the exhibition.

• Custard Apple Annona crassiflora 2003 The Art of Plant Evolution page 72 and 73
• Cybistax antisyphilitica 2008 Old and New South American Botanical Art page 134 It's a popular Brazilian tonic in the treatment of syphilis and in yaws and its leaves are used to dye cloth blue.
• Kapok Tree Ceiba speciosa 2003 Old and New South American Botanical Art page 126
• Dioclea violacea 2009 Old and New South American Botanical Art page 135
• Fruits of Savannah A Passion for Plants page 156 This might be described as a symphony in browns, the painting displays exquisite tonal control.
• "Monkey Pot" Lecythis pisonis This plant is a tropical tree in the Brazil nut family and the fruit has a tight fitting lid which burst open when ready. The common name comes from the fact Monkeys put their hand into to retrieve the nuts. Adults learn that they need to be sparing in how many they take out at one time.
• Zeyheria montana 2008 Old and New South American Botanical Art page 132​

Rogério Lupo has produced another Guide to Botanical Illustration - this time using pen and ink. The Portuguese title is Apostila Bico de Pena. (© Rogério Lupo 2018 - All rights reserved. Sale prohibited. Free distribution.)  The title contains the link to the page where you view it and download it.

His scientific illustration guide to equipment and materials comments on the use of a dip pen nib - which Google translate insists on calling a "feather beak" - but basically a nib which flexes when pressure is used so as to produce fine lines of different thickness and character.

HOWEVER it is not yet translated into English. I think he's hoping to get this done later this tear

So if you can read Portuguese you're fine.

If you're prepared to use Google Translate to read a bit at a time it's also fine (you can see what I made of it below!).  It's a bit odd - but you can get the gist of what he's saying.

Below are the two descriptions of the Guide in Portuguse and Google Translate English.

Note that Google Translate takes ​the portuguese he uses and translates the word as

• "nozzle" which is a term we more usually associate with a technical pen
• or "beak" - it comes up sometimes a "feather beak" 

rather than a specialist nib which is typically used with a dip pen holder.  This is just Google Translate rather than Rogério!

Note - this was all identified using Google Translate!)

What I like about this Guide is that he discusses:

• buying a pen nib and very precise detail about what to look out for to get a good nib which will behave well
• different brands by name and how he finds them
• the best brands of paper to use for pen and ink illustration - and he comments on Bristol (plate) paper he likes and those he does not (the ones which are too abrasive on the end of the nib). 
• the best quality ink to use - and his recommendations plus how to keep the ink hydrated
• how to protect the point of the nib
• how to preserve the nib on good condition - and the use of alcohol for cleaning and the purpose of a pen wiper
• how to test nibs before purchasing them - including how to test for blade crossing - this is the truly fastidious bit for the real pen and ink fan.  There's a nice bit where he displays how to detect splay in the end of the nib and whether the cut is central or not.
• how to sand and polish nibs to improve the flow or restore their use
• what to do when the ink won't flow (the "departure problem")

He then moves on to the use of the pen

• how to train yourself to deliver parallel strokes - which includes tips on breathing!
• he provides some examples of pen strokes to practice. His list of 40 pen strokes is precisely explained as to what each demonstrates

All in all it's a lot more information than is often available - written by somebody who is fastidious about the use of the kit he uses for illustration. I'm a huge fan of those who really care about the quality of the materials they use - and want to share what they know with others.  

You can obtain the Guide from Slideshare (as with his Graphite for Scientific Illustration Guide) - just click the link in the title.  As before to access the free download you will need to be logged in to an account with Slideshare or a Linked In account also gives you access to download

​You can also follow his announcements about new classes and guides on Facebook by following his Facebook Page Rogério Lupo - Ilustração Científica.

Read more about Botanical Illustration Tips: Pen and Ink on this website

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Graphite for Scientific Illustration by Rogério Lupo is a new FREE guide intended for anyone interested in knowing or practically learning the fundamentals of graphite and who want to improve their knowledge and skills in the use of graphite for scientific illustration generally and botanical illustration in particular.
 
Basic understandings of observational drawing help the student, but are not indispensable to take the best out of the booklet.

Rogerio Lupo is a Brazilian Natural Science Illustrator who has won first prize in several competitions including the Margaret Flockton Award in 2010 and 2013. He graduated in biology from the Universidade de São Paulo. Much of his work is dedicated to the illustration of scientific botanical articles/papers. He has also researched different approaches to illustration and artistic techniques. 

Bobbi Angell - also a leading Botanical Illustrator - kindly provided a technical and linguistic review of the English version translated from Rogerio's first version in Portuguese

The guide covers the following:

• Methods for accurate observation of light and shadow and all their subtle nuances
• Methods of sharpening, handling and moving the pencil for an improved application and filling with graphite
• Use of delicacy in drawing for efficient use of time, good finishing and preservation of the integrity of the paper
• Methods for total filling with shade in a gradual mode from light to dark tones
• Practical rendering of textures and different colours of objects represented as shades of grey; recognising luminosities, reflections and contrasts; practical and fast forms for the rendering of hairs and thorns.
• Prevention of errors, paper deformities and irreparable damages

You can see the first page of the guide below. Click this link to be taken to a page on slideshare where you can download the complete document.

Note that I have also included this view of the document on:

• Education: Tips and Techniques (Pencil Art section)
• Botany: Scientific Botanical Illustration

There is also an associated video (see below) - however this is in Portuguese - however the demonstrations will still make sense to those who have studied the guide.  Plus you get to see Rogerio in action!

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This is the list of 33 exhibiting artists from Scotland who have had 56 botanical drawings/paintings of plants native to Scotland selected for 'Flora Scotia' - Scotland's contribution to the Botanical Art Worldwide Exhibition in 2018 - taking place in 25 countries across the world.

The Flora Scotia exhibition is to be held at the John Hope Gateway space at Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh (RBGE)  between 31 March and 3 June 2018.

The exhibition has been organised by The Scottish Botanical Art Collective. This is an umbrella organisation formed to represent the interests of

• the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh,
• Edinburgh Society of Botanical Artists,
• Scottish Society of Botanical Artists,
• Botanical Images Scotia and
• independent artists.

My apologies to SBAC for forgetting to mention this in the original version of this post!

What's very interesting about this approach is that it has enabled independent botanical artists who are not members of or associated with organisations to submit botanical artwork which has met standards and been selected. Making this a truly open submission! I think it's a huge bonus of this exhibition for Scotland.

The organising committee arranged for two plant lists to be produced by RBGE botanists Greg Kenicer and Phil Lusby. These listed plants felt to be of particular importance to their various Scottish ecological niches. Artists were able to select plants from either of these two lists for submission to the exhibition.
​

The names of the selected artists and their selected artworks are listed below.

• a link to the website of the selected artist is embedded in their name (if available)
• links to any relevant (i.e. botanical) social media sites are listed after the name
• the plants are listed with their correct botanical latin name first and their common name second

​
Sheila Anderson Hardy (Instagram)
- Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle
- Heracleum sphondylium, Cirsium Vulgare Hogweed, Thistle
Sheila graduated from the Glasgow School of Art and lives in the Scottish Borders. She exhibits extensively in Scotland and London and is currently showing her work in the 137th Open Annual Exhibition with the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour RSW at The Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh 5th Feb - 8th March. She frequently works in ink on paper.

Claire Banks
- Polygonatum verticillatum Whorled Solomon’s Seal
Awarded the Jill Smythies award for Botanical Illustration by The Linnean Society in 2015. Works as a botanical illustrator for the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh and as a tutor for the botanical art diploma and certificate courses run by RBGE.  The RBGE Contemporary Botanical Art Collection includes a collection of 24 pen and ink drawings of Podocarpus spp. drawn between December 2013 and March 2014.

Marie Barbour (Facebook)
- Trifolium pratense Red Clover
​Has a studio in Glasgow's East End. Her subject is nature and she produces works on paper and oil paintings.

Victoria Braithwaite
- Polygonatum multiflorum Solomon’s Seal
Has work in the Shirley Sherwood Collection - which has been exhibited at Kew. Has also exhibited with both the Scottish Society of Botanical Artists and the Society of Botanical Artists and extensively within Scotland. She won the St Cuthbert's Mill Award at the SBA Exhibition in 2014 and twice won the wo-time recipient of the ‘People’s Choice’ award at exhibitions of the SSBA 

Geoffrey Brown 
- Corylus avellana Hazel
Member of the Edinburgh Society of Botanical Artists

Lyn Campbell
- Allium ursinum Bear’s Garlic
- Arum maculatum Lords & Ladies
- Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Iris
Lyn had a career as a physiotherapist before studying botanical art at RBGE. She graduated with a Diploma in Botanical Illustration in 2011 - and was graded Higher Merit. Since then she has exhibited at BISCOT and the RHS and been awarded medals at both shows - most recently a Silver Gilt for Trillums at BISCOT 2017. She has also exhibited her botanical art in Edinburgh (with SSBA) and Glasgow.

Eleanor Christopher 
- Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot
- Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot
Based in Edinburgh, Eleanor graduated with a Diploma in Botanical Illustration with Distinction from RBGE. She is a Member of ASBA and the Scottish Society of Botanical Artists (SSBA) and has exhibited at BISCOT.

Claire Dalby GM RWS RE 
- Hyacinthoides non-scripta Native Bluebell
- Lecanora gangaleoides, Tephromela atra, Porpidia albocaerulescens, Aspicilia leprosescens, Candelariella vitellina, Ochrolechia parella,Ramalina cuspidata Lichens
- Lobaria pulmonaria Tree Lungwort
Claire Dalby has the unusual distinction of being a Botanical Illustrator working in watercolour who has distinguished herself in a number of different ways both botanically and artistically. She has been awarded: the Jill Smythies Prize (1994) for excellence in botanical illustration by the Linnean Society of London and Gold Medals by both the RHS (1995) and the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (2006). She is also an elected member of the Royal Watercolour Society (and is a past Vice-President) and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Painter-Printmakers.  She's also married to a botanist, makes regular expeditions to Shetland and illustrated her husbands' book on the Lichens of the Shetland Islands plus produced a wall chart of Tree Lichens for the British Lichen Society. She has exhibited widely and internationally and her work can be found in the collections of the Science Museum and Natural History Museums in South Kensington, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and the Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation.  The section on this website devoted to Scientific Botanical Illustration includes a link to Biological Illustration: A Guide to Drawing for Reproduction by Claire Dalby and D. H. Dalby.

Anne Dana 
- Fucus vesiculosus Bladderwrack
Member of SSBA. She has shown her paintings at exhibitions at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Society of Botanical Artists London, private galleries in Aberdour, Falkirk and Ullapool. She initially started botanical painting while working as an interior decorator.

Janette Dobson
- Geum rivale Water Avens
Studied for the Diploma in Botanical Illustration at RBGE. Member of the Edinburgh Society of Botanical Artists

Janet Dyer GM (RHS 2013) (BISCOT 2012)
- Fritillaria meleagris, Primula vulgaris, Veronic persica, Cardamine pratensis Fritillaria, Primrose, Speedwell, Cuckoo Flower
- Malus sylvestris Crab Apple
Based in Mid Lothian, Janet worked for many years as a plant illustrator, using line drawing, for botanists in Oxford and the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. Subsequently she developed her skills in painting using colour and in 2011 graduated from the RBGE Diploma Course in Botanical Illustration with distinction and the award for best in year. In 2012 she won a Gold Medal at the Caledonian Society BISCOT show for her work on "Non native plant invaders". In 2013 she won an RHS Gold medal and the Best in Botanical painting section at the Great Malvern show. In 2015, she was awarded a Silver Gilt medal for ​Non-Native Plant Invaders 2