BOTANICAL ART & ARTISTS
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    • What is Botanical Art?
    • What is Botanical Illustration?
    • Botanical Art History Books >
      • The Art of Botanical Illustration (Blunt)
      • Book Review: Treasures of Botanical Art
    • Herbals
    • Florilegia and Flora
    • Patrons of Botanical Art >
      • About Leonhart Fuchs
      • About Basilius Besler
    • Past Masters - Botanical Art and Illustration >
      • About Maria Sibylla Merian
      • About Elizabeth Blackwell
      • About Georg Dionysius Ehret
      • About Franz Bauer
      • About Sydney Parkinson
      • About Pierre-Joseph Redouté
      • About Marianne North
    • Famous Asian Botanical Artists (600-1900)
    • 20th & 21st Century Botanical Artists >
      • About Arthur Harry Church
      • About Margaret Mee
      • About Mary Grierson
      • About Raymond Booth
      • About Rory McEwen
      • About Pandora Sellars
    • Botanical Photographers
    • Botanical and Herbal Art Online
  • ARTISTS
    • Botanical Artists in the UK
    • Botanical Artists in North America
    • Botanical Artists in Europe
    • Botanical Artists in Australia and New Zealand
    • Botanical Artists in Asia
    • Botanical Artists in Africa
    • Botanical Artists in Latin America
    • Botanical Printmakers, Photographers, Sculptors et al
    • The Jill Smythies Award
    • Botanical Artists on Facebook
    • Botanical Art Blogs
  • Exhibitions
    • Calls for Entries - OPEN exhibitions
    • RHS Botanical Art & Photography Shows >
      • ARCHIVE RHS Botanical Art Shows 2007-2025
      • Exhibit Titles at RHS Botanical Art Shows
      • RHS Portfolio Photography (Botanical / Horticultural)
    • The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art >
      • ARCHIVE: Shirley Sherwood Gallery Exhibitions
    • Hunt International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration
    • Margaret Flockton Award
    • UK >
      • Permanent Collections (UK)
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions at Major UK Galleries & Museums >
        • ARCHIVE: Major Gallery Exhibitions
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions in England and Wales >
        • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in the UK
        • ARCHIVE: Reviews of Annual Exhibitions by the Society of Botanical Artists
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions in Scotland >
        • ARCHIVE: Scotland - Botanical Art Exhibitions
    • North America >
      • Permanent Collections (USA)
      • ARCHIVE Past ASBA Exhibitions in the USA
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in the USA
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Canada
    • Europe >
      • Permanent Collections (Europe)
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Europe
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Exhibitions in Germany
      • ARCHIVE: ​Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Ireland
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Exhibitions in Russia
    • Australasia >
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Australasia
    • Asia >
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Asia
    • Africa
    • World Wide Exhibition of Botanical Art 2025 >
      • ARCHIVE: World Wide Exhibition of Botanical Art 2018
    • Online Exhibitions >
      • ARCHIVE: Online Botanical Art Exhibitions
  • Education
    • NEW BOOKS about Botanical Art and Illustration >
      • NEW in 2020: Books about Botanical Art & Illustration
      • NEW IN 2019: Books about Botanical Art & Illustration
      • NEW in 2018: Books about Botanical Art & Illustration
    • Best Botanical Art Instruction Books >
      • Best Instruction Books by Botanical Art Societies >
        • The Art of Botanical Painting - review
        • The Botanical Palette - review
        • Botanical Sketchbook - review
      • Best Instruction Books about Botanical Illustration >
        • Botanical Illustration - Books by Bobbi Angell
        • Botanical Illustration (Oxley) - review
      • Best Instruction Books by top Artists / Teachers >
        • Books By Billy Showell
        • Books - the Eden Project
      • Best Botanical Drawing Instruction Books (Pencils) >
        • Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils - review
      • e-Booklets / digital guides
    • Tips and Techniques >
      • Tips from RHS Gold Medal Winners
      • Preparation and set-up
      • Botanical Sketching and Sketchbooks
      • Design and composition
      • Colour
      • Pen and Ink
      • How to draw and paint trees and leaves
    • Botanical Art Video Tips >
      • Video Tips: Watercolour Painting
      • Video Tips Coloured Pencils
      • Video Tips: Pencil drawing
      • Video Tips: Painting Flowers
      • Video Tips: Painting Leaves & Trees
    • Online Botanical Art Instruction >
      • CHECKLIST: FAQS about Online Learning
      • ONLINE TIMELINE
    • International Directory: Botanical Art Teachers
    • International Directory of Botanical Art Courses >
      • UK: Botanical Art Courses
      • North America: Botanical Art Courses
      • Europe: Botanical Art Courses & Holidays
      • Australasia: Botanical Art Courses
    • Artist Residencies, Scholarships, Grants and Bursaries
    • Diplomas and Certificates >
      • SBA Diploma Assignments
    • Distance Learning Courses
    • Talks, Lectures & Tours
    • Botanical Education on Facebook
  • Materials
    • Paper
    • Vellum
  • Groups
    • National & Regional Botanical Art Societies
    • Florilegium Societies & Other Groups
    • Finnis Scott Foundation: Botanical Art Prize
    • Botanical Art Groups on Facebook
  • Botany
    • Why botany matters to artists
    • Botany Books for artists >
      • Botany for the Artist (Simblet)
      • The Art of Plant Evolution
      • The Concise British Flora in Colour (1965)
    • Scientific botanical illustration
    • Plant Forms and Anatomy
    • Plant Evolution and Taxonomy
    • Plant Names and Botanical Latin
    • Botanical Dictionaries
    • How to Identify Plants
    • Recording a Plant / Sketchbooks >
      • Plant Pressing for your own Herbarium
    • Botanic Gardens & Herbaria >
      • Global and National Networks
      • Herbaria, Seed Banks and Fungaria
      • Old Botanic & Physic Gardens in London
      • Botanic Gardens in the UK
      • Botanic Gardens in Ireland
      • Botanic Gardens in Europe
      • Botanic Gardens in the USA
      • Botanic Gardens in Canada
      • Botanic Gardens in Asia
      • Botanic Gardens in Australia
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Preparation ​and Set-up

This page is about processes related to preparation.

These include
  • burnishing paper
  • ​transferring drawings from studies to final art paper for painting​​
This page is NEW and is currently being developed.
On separate pages you can find information, tips and recommended books about
  • Design & Composition
  • ​Sketching, Sketchbooks and Studies

Burnishing the paper
​

In the quest for a very smooth paper and total control of paint, it can be very educational to learn about the traditional methods used for burnishing paper.
Burnishing is a process by which the surface of the paper is rendered less fibrous and spongy in appearance. This is accomplished by means of pressure applied by rubbing sized paper. This can be accomplished by machines, but was historically done by hand. Dry sheets of sized paper are placed on a flat surface and pressure is applied by rubbing a smooth, hard object across the surface of the paper. Typical objects that are used for burnishing include agate, glass, bone, and horn. Burnished paper is typically used for manuscripts or stationary work, where bleeding inks are a concern.
​​Burnishing | AIC Wiki
I use an agate burnisher, after the main tonal washes and before I add fine details. I only burnish the painted areas, not the whole page. This suits my technique, which is lots of washes and detail dry-brushed on afterwards.
Elaine Moore Mackey (portfolio website)
Burnishing is a traditional method for preparing paper for calligraphy. A smooth polished non-absorbent surface allows writing implements and ink to move smoothly across the paper. This enables the creation of a smooth line of ink that flows across the support. This can be achieved through burnishing.

Burnishing is also a technique used by watercolour painters who want a very smooth plate surface on which to paint.

Burnishing works by compressing the fibres of paper. In paper manufacturers this happens when the paper fibre is run between rollers. 

The effects of burnishing are threefold. The paper becomes:
  • thinner - because the paper fibres have been compressed due to the pressure used
  • smoother - ink and paint flow more easily across the surface and flow is easier to control (i.e. no unintentional feathering of edges)
  • less absorbent - the paint tends to sit on top of the paper rather than sinking in - much as happens when painting on vellum. This means it's not suitable for wet in wet approaches in watercolour painting which rely on the paper being absorbent.
​
Tools used for burnishing include anything very hard, without edges and completely smooth. Examples include:
  • an agate
  • a round glass paperweight or muller (usually used for grinding pigments)
  • Bone and horn can also be used if smooth.
A video about Glazing, Burnishing and Polishing Paper through time - a lecture given by Jane Colbourne, Conservation Department, Northumbria University. It's nearly an hour long and is about the history of and context for methods used for preparing paper in the past.
REFERENCE:
  • Burnishing | AIC Wiki of the the American Institute for Conservation of Art and Historic Works 
  • ​Griffin Mill Visit | Adbentures in Paper Conservation
  • Preparation and burnishing of Ahar Paper | Mohamed Zakariyar
Professional Glass Muller

Agates are fine if you are burnishing a small area. However if you want to burnish a larger area, this glass muller measures 7cm across and also provides an ergonomic grip. These two features help make the whole process easier and speedier. 

It's designed for grinding pigments but works just as well smoothing paper.
Weight 360g
Robersons : Professional Glass Muller 7cm for mixing and grinding pigment from Amazon UK
Roberson : Professional Glass Muller : 7cm : For Mixing and Grinding Pigment from Amazon.com

Prepare to transfer your image - from studies to final art paper

I know the thought of transferring seems an utter waste of time, but think of it as another chance to check the drawing, go at the process with a peaceful heart, do it slowly, thoughtfully, and NEVER lose sight of what the image is. 
Katie Lee
Getting a study from initial paper to fine art paper is a challenge for many artists.
​
Transferring the Image
  • Transfer the minimum needed to make sense of the image
  • Use a lightbox (or a sunlit window) to transfer an image - however this method does not work if the paper is heavy. Use only thin lines which are fluid and not too heavy.
  • Trace your studies onto tracing paper. Cut them out and them move them around (and/or flip them) to arrive at a suitable composition
  • Create a master copy of your composition as a reference - and in case anything goes wrong!
  • Draw the line to copy just inside the outline 
  • Use graphite on the back of the line to help create a transfer. The graphite needs to be soft enough to
  • Alternatively use a product such as Tracedown paper that provide a clean way to transfer drawings to final paper. ALWAYS use only wax free transfer paper
  • Review the traced drawing on the watercolour paper and redraw it to ensure lines are credible and fluid
  • Lighten the traced image on the paper until it is just visible before starting to paint
Tracing paper can be used for:
  • developing and refining compositions
    • erasure is easy on tracing paper and means you don't destroy the surface of your good watercolour paper
    • different aspects of the composition - at the correct scale - can be cut out and moved around within the defined size for the artwork
    • ​overlapping different aspects of the plant(s) to be included in the composition
  • checking your drawing
  • making corrections - you can try out various options
  • recording your images - for potential reuse in other drawings
  • ​working out where to place your signature - and what size to make it
  • protecting your good paper and artwork
    • overlaying your good paper and protecting it while you work on just a section of the final work
    • creating an envelope for protecting the work inbetween working on it
​
REFERENCE: Transferring drawings
  • Tips on transferring drawings by Katie Lee (go to Tips and the see the menu of articles)
  • How to transfer a drawing | Sandrine Maugy - who explains how to use both tracedown and tracing paper
  • Tracing to art paper by Gaynor Dickeson - a step by step demo
BELOW are videos and more explanations about how to trace a drawing on to paper for painting.
Tracedown Paper

This is very good quality wax free tracing paper. The sort of product where paying more really pays off in practice.

You can do several tracings from one sheet. The tracing is also easily erased without smudging or making a mess of the paper.
This is the graphite version but you can also get it in assorted colours if you prefer.

Recommended: rates and average of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon UK

BUY NOW
Tracedown A3 Graphite - Pack of 5 Sheets from Amazon.co.uk

​How to transfer a drawing. One of the things that nobody ever told you!
​

Dianne Sutherland provides a quick guide to transferring a drawing to paper from you preparatory study.

This is one of those things that we often assume that everybody knows! but it's not always the case.
This is the video which goes with Sandrine Maugy's written tutorial - How to transfer a drawing - about transferring a drawing using Tracedown.

How to Create Transfer Paper for Artists
​

This is a How-to video by Mindy Lighthipe on transferring drawings and sketches onto watercolor paper. Learn to make your own transfer paper with step by step instructions. 

The subject matter is natural history rather than botanical art but the principles are the same.

Plus comments on commercially available transfer papers

Tracing and transferring images to art paper
​

How to trace an image to art paper - without creating indentations by Gaynor Dickeson 

Tracing using a Lightbox
​

Many artists use a lightbox for ease of tracing.

​
The major change in recent years is that boxes have got a lot slimmer and are now more like iPads in terms of thickness.
Huion® Tracing Light Box L4S 
17.7 Inches A4 Size LED Adjustable Light 

Lightboxes of old used to be quite chunky affairs making them difficult to find space for.
Now they are powered by LED lighting and have become super slim
- making them much easier to accommodate.

This particular lightbox has the following features:
  • The L4S has a diagonal length of 17.7inches.. In overall terms it's larger than A4 and smaller than A3 - but also comes in other sizes (eg A3)
  • The actual working surface is acrylic and 12" x 8"
  • It's extremely slim - being only 5.1mm in thickness
  • It's also light and portable due to only weighing 0.61kg (about 1.3lbs)
  • Power is supplied via a micro USB cable meaning it can be powered by your computer
  • The light can be very bright (1100 Lux) and will shine through 300gsm paper - but it also can be adjusted to a level that's comfortable for you to work with. The adjustment for the light is by holding the on/off switch.
  • The only downside is that the USB Cable Length 1.2m. You can however buy a separate power supply.
Picture
Dimensions: 36 x 0.5 x 27 cm

BUY NOW

Huion® Tracing Light Box 17.7 Inches A4 Size LED Adjustable Light L4S from Amazon UK
Huion L4S LED Light Box from Amazon.com

HOME
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Working on a painting
​BACK TO: TIPS & TECHNIQUES
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  • Design and Composition
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  • How to draw and paint trees and leaves​
  • Video Tips for Botanical Artists
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​
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​
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  • Home
    • Site Index
  • NEWS
    • NEWS blog subscription
  • HISTORY
    • What is Botanical Art?
    • What is Botanical Illustration?
    • Botanical Art History Books >
      • The Art of Botanical Illustration (Blunt)
      • Book Review: Treasures of Botanical Art
    • Herbals
    • Florilegia and Flora
    • Patrons of Botanical Art >
      • About Leonhart Fuchs
      • About Basilius Besler
    • Past Masters - Botanical Art and Illustration >
      • About Maria Sibylla Merian
      • About Elizabeth Blackwell
      • About Georg Dionysius Ehret
      • About Franz Bauer
      • About Sydney Parkinson
      • About Pierre-Joseph Redouté
      • About Marianne North
    • Famous Asian Botanical Artists (600-1900)
    • 20th & 21st Century Botanical Artists >
      • About Arthur Harry Church
      • About Margaret Mee
      • About Mary Grierson
      • About Raymond Booth
      • About Rory McEwen
      • About Pandora Sellars
    • Botanical Photographers
    • Botanical and Herbal Art Online
  • ARTISTS
    • Botanical Artists in the UK
    • Botanical Artists in North America
    • Botanical Artists in Europe
    • Botanical Artists in Australia and New Zealand
    • Botanical Artists in Asia
    • Botanical Artists in Africa
    • Botanical Artists in Latin America
    • Botanical Printmakers, Photographers, Sculptors et al
    • The Jill Smythies Award
    • Botanical Artists on Facebook
    • Botanical Art Blogs
  • Exhibitions
    • Calls for Entries - OPEN exhibitions
    • RHS Botanical Art & Photography Shows >
      • ARCHIVE RHS Botanical Art Shows 2007-2025
      • Exhibit Titles at RHS Botanical Art Shows
      • RHS Portfolio Photography (Botanical / Horticultural)
    • The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art >
      • ARCHIVE: Shirley Sherwood Gallery Exhibitions
    • Hunt International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration
    • Margaret Flockton Award
    • UK >
      • Permanent Collections (UK)
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions at Major UK Galleries & Museums >
        • ARCHIVE: Major Gallery Exhibitions
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions in England and Wales >
        • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in the UK
        • ARCHIVE: Reviews of Annual Exhibitions by the Society of Botanical Artists
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions in Scotland >
        • ARCHIVE: Scotland - Botanical Art Exhibitions
    • North America >
      • Permanent Collections (USA)
      • ARCHIVE Past ASBA Exhibitions in the USA
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in the USA
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Canada
    • Europe >
      • Permanent Collections (Europe)
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Europe
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Exhibitions in Germany
      • ARCHIVE: ​Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Ireland
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Exhibitions in Russia
    • Australasia >
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Australasia
    • Asia >
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Asia
    • Africa
    • World Wide Exhibition of Botanical Art 2025 >
      • ARCHIVE: World Wide Exhibition of Botanical Art 2018
    • Online Exhibitions >
      • ARCHIVE: Online Botanical Art Exhibitions
  • Education
    • NEW BOOKS about Botanical Art and Illustration >
      • NEW in 2020: Books about Botanical Art & Illustration
      • NEW IN 2019: Books about Botanical Art & Illustration
      • NEW in 2018: Books about Botanical Art & Illustration
    • Best Botanical Art Instruction Books >
      • Best Instruction Books by Botanical Art Societies >
        • The Art of Botanical Painting - review
        • The Botanical Palette - review
        • Botanical Sketchbook - review
      • Best Instruction Books about Botanical Illustration >
        • Botanical Illustration - Books by Bobbi Angell
        • Botanical Illustration (Oxley) - review
      • Best Instruction Books by top Artists / Teachers >
        • Books By Billy Showell
        • Books - the Eden Project
      • Best Botanical Drawing Instruction Books (Pencils) >
        • Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils - review
      • e-Booklets / digital guides
    • Tips and Techniques >
      • Tips from RHS Gold Medal Winners
      • Preparation and set-up
      • Botanical Sketching and Sketchbooks
      • Design and composition
      • Colour
      • Pen and Ink
      • How to draw and paint trees and leaves
    • Botanical Art Video Tips >
      • Video Tips: Watercolour Painting
      • Video Tips Coloured Pencils
      • Video Tips: Pencil drawing
      • Video Tips: Painting Flowers
      • Video Tips: Painting Leaves & Trees
    • Online Botanical Art Instruction >
      • CHECKLIST: FAQS about Online Learning
      • ONLINE TIMELINE
    • International Directory: Botanical Art Teachers
    • International Directory of Botanical Art Courses >
      • UK: Botanical Art Courses
      • North America: Botanical Art Courses
      • Europe: Botanical Art Courses & Holidays
      • Australasia: Botanical Art Courses
    • Artist Residencies, Scholarships, Grants and Bursaries
    • Diplomas and Certificates >
      • SBA Diploma Assignments
    • Distance Learning Courses
    • Talks, Lectures & Tours
    • Botanical Education on Facebook
  • Materials
    • Paper
    • Vellum
  • Groups
    • National & Regional Botanical Art Societies
    • Florilegium Societies & Other Groups
    • Finnis Scott Foundation: Botanical Art Prize
    • Botanical Art Groups on Facebook
  • Botany
    • Why botany matters to artists
    • Botany Books for artists >
      • Botany for the Artist (Simblet)
      • The Art of Plant Evolution
      • The Concise British Flora in Colour (1965)
    • Scientific botanical illustration
    • Plant Forms and Anatomy
    • Plant Evolution and Taxonomy
    • Plant Names and Botanical Latin
    • Botanical Dictionaries
    • How to Identify Plants
    • Recording a Plant / Sketchbooks >
      • Plant Pressing for your own Herbarium
    • Botanic Gardens & Herbaria >
      • Global and National Networks
      • Herbaria, Seed Banks and Fungaria
      • Old Botanic & Physic Gardens in London
      • Botanic Gardens in the UK
      • Botanic Gardens in Ireland
      • Botanic Gardens in Europe
      • Botanic Gardens in the USA
      • Botanic Gardens in Canada
      • Botanic Gardens in Asia
      • Botanic Gardens in Australia
    • Blogs about Plants and Flowers
  • Contact
    • About Katherine Tyrrell
    • About Reviews
    • Privacy Policy