Natural History Illustration: Succulents

Overview

Succulents often have a beautiful chalky blue bloom. This five-credit module will cover drawing with pencil, ink and watercolour to depict a range of succulents with accurate colours and techniques. We will also cover colour mixing, form drawing techniques and ideas for composition. There will be a presentation on botanical illustrators, contemporary and historical used for inspiration to demonstrate the variety of techniques and compositions. If you wish to hone your observational drawing and painting skills; this module is for you.

This online self-paced module will show various step-by-step demonstrations of techniques with useful hints and information.

Programme

This 5-credit module is suitable for beginners in watercolour and drawing techniques within Natural History Illustration and for students who wish to hone their observational drawing and painting skills and create accurate paintings with fine detail and accurate colours. The module will cover drawing with pencil, ink and watercolour to depict a range of Succulents with accurate colours and techniques. There will also be colour mixing and form drawing techniques with ideas for composition. There will be a presentation on illustrators and artists who have depicted Succulents both contemporary and historical to be used for inspiration and to show variety in techniques and compositions. 

This online module will also contain various step by step demonstrations of techniques with useful hints and information. 

Each unit will enable you to practice technique, develop your ideas, reflect upon what you have learnt and conduct research to complement your study and extend your learning. Students should aim to complete at least 40 hours of study (even more is advisable) to get the most out of this module and to fulfil the criteria for the course. All module content is accessed through our online learning portal; you need access to a computer, camera and to be proficient in using email. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:  

1. Demonstrate an ability to draw a variety of succulents from life with accuracy and detail, paying attention to defining plant features, texture and tone and colour mixing.
2. Show evidence of knowledge of the artwork and relevance of contemporary and historical botanical artists in the field of succulents and botanical illustration composition.
3. Produce a field book which shows evidence of all techniques and demonstrates a body of study exercises from the module units as well as research and development towards a final piece of work.
4. Complete a finished succulent painting showing the techniques learned with interesting compositional ideas.

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course.

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.