Botanical art techniques A comprehensive guide to watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, vellum, pen and ink, egg tempera, oils, printmaking, and more

Review by Booklist Review

The ASBA, a community of practitioners and appreciators of botanical art, has produced this spectacular how-to book for those who are not-quite-beginners in the arts of drawing, sketching, and painting fruits, flowers, tree parts, and, occasionally, vegetables. Calling on the specialized talents of dozens of artists, in-depth sessions with step-by-step illustrations and accompanying photographs zero in on the details of 50-plus familiar and unusual botanicals, from tulips and magnolias to vanilla orchids and pineapple cacti. As they instruct fellow artists to focus on creating a portrait in time of a living thing, the editors and tutors also examine the vagaries of working with different materials, such as vellum and chine collé, and consider specifics like various pen and ink techniques, stippling, grisaille (gray monochromatic style), perspective, and composition, among other subjects. A rose, in short, can be more than a rose.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Library Journal Review

The American Society of Botanical Artists has created a very thorough guide to the art of botanical illustration. Unlike floral still life painting, which relies on floral arrangement and broad impressions, botanical illustration requires close study, a knowledge of basic botany, and meticulous attention to detail. This volume contains tutorials by over 50 botanical artists using a variety of supplies such as graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink, watercolors, print making, and more. Other topics covered are caring for cut flowers, preparing for field work, and setting up a studio. Basic drawing techniques are covered as well as techniques in using each different medium. A materials list for each tutorial is included. Each lesson contains step-by-step directions from basic skills to helpful tips. Filled with hundreds of illustrations, images guide the artist as they follow the directions from the experts. While the concentration is botanical art, the thorough tutorials will assist any budding artist in enhancing their skills. VERDICT One of the most comprehensive books on botanical illustrations, this also serves as an introduction to a variety of art mediums.--Sandra Knowles, formerly South Carolina State Lib., Columbia

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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