Botanical Drawing provides a thorough and expert guide to the subject of botanical drawing, through detailed text, examples of the authors own studies, short exercises and larger projects. Penny Brown produces traditional botanical drawings primarily rendered in pencil.
The book touches on the history of botanical drawing, the rules and practicalities, and includes an accessible, basic study of botany for the absolute beginner. From creating an initial line drawing to adding tone and then creating more complex compositions, Botanical Drawing is a detailed study of the practice for anyone wishing to explore the subject in great depth, led by an expert artist.
Introduction 6
Botanical art: a personal perspective 8
Materials and tools 12
GETTING STARTED 20
Drawing an elliptical flower 28
Line and tone exercise
Drawing a mushroom 34
Line and tone exercise
Project 1: William Pear 38
Step by step
Project 2: Poppy seed head 42
Step by step
Understanding plant structure 48
Examining your subjects 56
Gathering information 60
Project 3: Peas and pods 70
Step by step
Composition 74
Project 4: Apple blossom 80
Step by step
Project 5: Common grape hyacinth 86
Step by step
Project 6: Cape Gooseberry 92
Step by step
Project 7: Dutch Iris 96
Step by step
Project 8: Freesia 102
Step by step
Project 9: Sweet vernal grass 108
Step by step
Project 10: Pot marigold 122
Step by step
Index 128
Penny Brown trained and worked as a theatre designer for 10 years before an increasing love of painting and drawing led her to illustration. She works in watercolour, graphite and most recently, cut paper collage. She has illustrated many books on craft, textiles, design, natural history and gardening. She exhibits her botanical paintings and drawings with The Society of Botanical Artists in London, Frankfurt and Spain. She has won several awards including the prestigious President's Prize at The SBA exhibition in 2015. She is also a member of The South West Society of Botanical Artists and opens her studio regularly for Dorset Art Weeks. She looks forward to continuing her parallel careers in botanical art and illustration.
"Artist, Penny Brown, brings us a brand new step-by-step guide to drawing flowers, vegetables, fruit and other plant life in Botanical Drawing. Ten step-by-step prokects will help to get you started , ranging from simple studies to complex finished drawings and excellent diagrams and source photographs provide invaluable reference mateiral as you build your skill and confidence level in this ancient art form."
– The Leisure Painter, March 2018