Materials & Processes
Almost all Botanical Illustration requires adherence to a series of essential steps. The initial step involves meticulous observation and the collection of pertinent information, data, and plant elements (such as conducting field visits or engaging in microscopic examinations). Alternatively, collaboration with botanists is also common practice.
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The subsequent step entails planning the content and composition that should be incorporated into the illustration.
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Finally, the execution takes place through various artistic mediums suitable for botanical painting, including Watercolour, colour pencil, pencil to pen to colour transitions, sketching to oil paint techniques, lithography, copper plate engraving as well as other printing methods.
Moreover, colour pencils and watercolour make a difference to botanical illustration.
Take Ann Swan's artwork Flush of young (colour pencil) and Anna Mason's Apple Acme for example: Firstly, in terms of colour, colour pencil has thick and full color, while watercolour provides the effect of transparency and high saturation. In Figure 4, the relatively low saturation colour from colour pencils brings more thick effect to the picture. On the contrary, in Figure 5, watercolour can show the transparency of water droplets and the high saturation colour of apple. Second, the two mediums have completely different textures. In Figure 4, the colour pencil provides a characteristic grainy texture, while the watercolor shows a soft gradient effect in Figure 5.
Fig. 4, Flush of Young
Fig. 5, Apple Acme
Additionally, digital platforms offer new possibilities for botanical illustration; exemplified by Niki Simpson's works. Digital drawing provides enhanced flexibility and ease of dissemination compared to traditional physical works.
Fig. 6, Standard Plate
Sources
Fig. 4 Swan, A. (2022) Flush of Young, ANN SWAN. Society of Botanical Artists.
Available at: https://www.soc-botanical-artists.org/artist/ann-swan/ (Accessed: 24 April 2024).
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Fig. 5 Mason, A. (2013) Apple Acme, GETTING TO KNOW…ANNA MASON, BOTANICAL WATERCOLOURIST WITH ADDED ‘WOW’ FACTOR. Jackson’s Art.
Available at: https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2013/11/20/getting-to-know-anna-mason-botanical-watercolourist-with-added-wow-factor/ (Accessed: 24 April 2024).
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Fig. 6 Simpson, N. (2008) Standard Plate, The Jill Smythies Award given for digitally created botanical illustrations. Niki Simpson.
Available at: https://nikisimpson.proimageblogs.com/ (Accessed: 24 April 2024).
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