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Section of Pandorea jasminoides by Nilavan Adams

Botanical Art Workshops 2012

Presented by the Canberra Institute of Botanical Art

A series of workshops with some of Australia's expert botanical art tutors suitable for beginners and more experienced artists.

For workshop bookings, see the Canberra Institute of Botanical Art (CIBA) website.

All workshops are held in the Crosbie Morrison Building from 9.30 am - 4.00 pm.

Introduction to Botanical Art

Nilavan Adams | 25 February and 26 February | $215

During ths Introductory workshop students will be guided through the first steps of the fascinating world of botanical art. They will observe, sketch, mix colours and render a painting.

Nilavan was born in Bangkok and came to Australia in 1974. Her passion for botanical art began in 2004 after she left full-time employment. She is an award-winning artist. Nilavan's style of painting focuses on the application of dry brush techniques which render finely detailed paintings that display a velvety appearance. She regularly teaches in Canberra and exhibits in both Canberra and Sydney.

Composition and Drawing

Barbara Duckworth | 24 March and 25 March | $215

This workshop with open the door to preparatory line drawing and the basic tenets of applied composition - the hidden core of successful botanical art. Barbara will provide individual application and give students the confidence to know when their composition and drawing is ready for painting.

Barbara is very experienced, both as a botanical artist and scientific illustrator and teacher. She lives and works in the Blue Mountains.

This workshop is recommended for those students new to botanical art as it promises to teach the tools necessary for all successful botanical art creations and will be a great refresher class for more experienced artists.

Techniques for Realistic Leaves

David Mackay |2 June and 3 June | $215

This workshop with open the door to exciting techniques for creating realistic leaves in your art.

Creating a collections sampler

Tanya Hoolihan |October 13 and 14 | $215

Many botanical artists are now including insects, seeds and other items into their paintings in order to ‘tell a story’ about the specimen being showcased. This is particularly relevant as a plant does not exist in isolation but is reliant on other flora and fauna in their ecosystem.

Creating a botanical or natural history collections ‘plate’ will give students an opportunity to observe and capture in detail the very essence of a selected habitat while also creating a beautiful painting with watercolours under Tanya’s skilled instruction.

Tanya is currently undertaking a Degree in Natural History Illustration at Newcastle University. She has exhibited widely and won numerous prizes for her paintings and illustrations. Her goal and that of this workshop is to produce an artwork that is not only characterised by technical accuracy but that captures the spirit and essence of a collection of related items found in a certain place and at a certain time.

Onions and Garlic

Tanya Hoolihan |November 10 and 11 | $215

Originally from Santiago; Chile, Annie Hughes has become a popular Botanical artist in Australia. Her paintings have been exhibited at the BASA annual exhibition twice, at Canberra Botanical and have also been seen at the BASA Wildflowers exhibition at Parliament House in 2006 and Botanica 2005, 2007, 2008.

Her keen eye and sensitivity to texture has resulted in her being awarded the 1st Prize for Australian Natives and 1st Prize Peoples Prize both at BASA 2005.

Her work is enjoyed in private collections in Australia, the USA and the UK. Annie will teach CIBA students how to paint onions and garlic in exquisite detail. An opportunity not to be missed!

For workshop bookings, see the Canberra Institute of Botanical Art website.