Natural History Illustration ~ Mosses, Liverworts and Lichens

A fascinating new course which will cover a variety of specialist drawing and watercolour techniques and materials for depicting a wide variety of Mosses, Lichens and Liverworts, their colours, forms and unique characteristics.

This is an ideal course for anyone undertaking field studies, as well as Art courses, who wish to develop their observational, recording and fine art skills and knowledge of this fascinating subject. The techniques and styles of contemporary and historical artists will also be discussed.

Demonstrations, individual advice and assistance as well as handouts will be given throughout each session. Specimens will be available to work from.

This course is being run by Aberystwyth University Lifelong Learning as a ‘blended learning’ module. There will be some online lessons beginning on the 20th May and finishing on 30th June 2023. The face to face element will take place at Denmark Farm during the weekend of 10th and 11th June 2023. There will be an opportunity to find and study many different species in our wildlife rich 40 acre nature reserve.

Facilitator & Teacher:

Claire K Ward is a botanical and nature artist based in West Wales. After studying botany and field ecology and exploring watercolour and oil painting, Claire came to combine the two passions together, in the field of botanical and nature illustration.

“Capturing the beauty of nature; the translucence of a petal or the iridescence on an insects wing, is my ultimate aim, to bring it into focus. I feel nature is becoming more over-looked in our busy, modern lives, it feels unimportant.”

In 2007 Claire completed the diploma in botanical illustration with distinction from the Society of Botanical Artists and then became a full member in 2010. She is now a tutor on the SBA diploma course for the ‘working in the field’ assignment as well as teaching natural history illustration and other modules for Aberystwyth school of Lifelong Learning.

Claire received a certificate of Botanical Merit at the SBA exhibition – ‘Plantae’ at the Mall Galleries in 2019 and then another one at ‘Plantae 2022’. She was honoured to become a co-President of the SBA in 2021.

Materials (please bring the following with you):

• Sketchbook with smooth paper & hardcover, size A4 or A3, your preference (Seawhites of Brighton are a good make)
• 2H, HB, B & 2B graphite pencils & sharpener (FaberCastell 9000 or Caran D’ache or Derwent are quality makes)
• Feel free to bring any other dry media that you like (charcoal or pen)
• Erasers (plastic &/or putty)
• Hot press watercolour paper pad –weight 140lb (Moulin Du Roy or Bockingford are quality makes). You can try sample packs of hotpress and coldpress papers from different art companies online (like www.jacksonsart.com), to find a paper that you like working with.
• Range of watercolour paints (Winsor Newton & Daler Rowney are quality makes) But bring what you have.
  Recommended colours are:
  Cerulean blue or Winsor blue (green shade)
  French Ultramarine or Winsor blue red shade
  Winsor lemon
  Transparent yellow or New Gamboge
  Scarlet Lake or (Vermillion hue by Daler Rowney)
  Quinacridone magenta (Pr122) or Permanent rose
  Raw Umber
  Burnt sienna
  Light red – PR102
  Titanium white gouache, Winsor Newton is a good make
• Paint brushes – Any good quality sable watercolour brush with a good point, sizes 0 & 2 would be fine to start off with. You can order online from a good company called rosemaryandco.com Good ones are series 33.
• Palette for paints
• Magnifying glass. If you have a hand-lens (x10) bring it along aswell
• Plastic ruler

For accommodation during this workshop in our self-catering Eco Lodge, shared Dormitory or Eco Campsite please do get in touch to check availability.

 

Mae’r holl enillion o’n digwyddiadau a gwyliau’n cael eu hailfuddsoddi’n uniongyrchol i reoli ein gwarchodfa natur 40 erw. Diolch i chi am eich cefnogaeth a chofiwch ddod i ymweld â ni’n fuan.

All proceeds from our events and holidays are ploughed directly back into managing our 40 acre nature reserve. Thank you for your support and please do come to visit soon.