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Botanical Watercolours through the seasons

An All-Year-Round Guide to Painting Flowers and Plants

Sandrine Maugy author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Search Press Ltd

Published:15th Jul '22

Should be back in stock very soon

Botanical Watercolours through the seasons cover

This guide offers step-by-step tutorials for painting seasonal botanical subjects, perfect for artists of all skill levels. Botanical Watercolours through the Seasons is a delightful resource.

In Botanical Watercolours through the Seasons, readers are invited to embark on a creative journey that aligns with the natural rhythms of the year. This beautifully illustrated guide offers a detailed exploration of botanical painting, emphasizing the importance of ethically-sourced materials and tools. The author, Sandrine, shares her workspace insights and introduces key techniques that enhance the painting process, making it accessible to artists at various skill levels. She delves into colour theory, providing valuable tips for achieving realistic shadows and vibrant hues without relying on unnatural tones.

The book is structured into four main chapters, each dedicated to a specific season, showcasing the unique flora that defines each time of year. From the delicate blooms of spring to the striking berries of winter, Sandrine presents a variety of subjects that inspire creativity. Each chapter features three step-by-step tutorials tailored to different skill levels—from beginners to advanced artists—allowing readers to choose their own pace and focus on the plants they cherish most. The tutorials cover a range of botanical subjects, including daffodils, sweet peas, ginkgo biloba leaves, and holly, culminating in a stunning winter composition.

With a foreword by Tom Brown, Head Gardener at West Dean College, the book emphasizes the joy of celebrating nature’s beauty through art. Sandrine’s expertise in botany shines through, encouraging readers to document the changing seasons and appreciate the sustainable practices woven throughout the book. Whether approached season by season or as a reference for favorite plants, Botanical Watercolours through the Seasons is a treasure trove for aspiring botanical artists.

Absolutely a mine of information for levels of botanical art.

The ultimate botanical and watercolour book, if you’re looking to purchase a botanical book with lots of information, tips and practical advice then you will not be disappointed with this book by Sandrine Maugy.

-- Christine Van Oorschot * Amazon Customer Review *

There are many ways to organise flower painting books, but seasonal makes a lot of sense. It groups plants as they are likely to be found, providing natural models at all times and also encourages continuing study as new opportunities appear. As the blurb proudly announces, the book follows the rhythm of nature through the year.

The excellent introduction to materials and methods is concise yet thorough and includes an interesting aside on the ethical studio – where do materials come from and what is their environmental impact?

Structurally, the demonstrations are divided into three levels, allowing you to develop your skills progressively. Subjects include flowers, fruit and vegetation and Sandrine pays plenty of attention to structure and detail as discussing colour and suitable palettes for both the item in question and the time of year. Sewn binding ensures the book lies flat in use, a notable bonus.

-- Henry Malt * The Artist *

As we cosy up indoors with the arrival of cooler climes, why not immerse yourself in art that transports you to lush pastures? Let Sandrine Maugy whisk you off on a flower-filled journey through the seasons, exploring everything from bold spring daffodils to striking frosty-weather holly from the comfort of your craft room. Each chapter includes recommendations for materials (which, by the way, are all ethically sourced) and step-by-step watercolour tutorials at varying difficulty levels, meaning there's something here for every crafter.

* Crafts Beautiful Issue 376 *

Sandrine Maugy is an award-winning botanical artist, author and illustrator, whose first book, Colours of Nature, was published in 2013. For her latest book, Botanical Watercolours through the Seasons, she explores the delicate art of painting flowers, concentrating specifically on the four seasons, each including there step-by-step tutorials. These are carefully designed to suit artists at different levels of experience - the first for beginners, the second for artists of intermediate level, and the third for more experienced artists. Of course, readers may want to work through the book season by season, but you can also dot around to find your favourite flowers, whether it's the drama of spring tulips, the delicacy of sweet peas in summer, a magnificent hydrangea in autumn or holly leaves in winter. There's information on important techniques, colour theory and tone, and stunning illustrations throughout.

-- Leisure Painter * Leisure Painter *

Botanical Watercolours through the Seasons begins with a detailed introduction to Sandrine’s ethically-sourced materials and tools, her workspace and an exploration of the key techniques employed in painting botanical watercolours. Sandrine explains colour theory in relation to botanical subjects, as well as colour bias and the key to creating realistic shadows without resorting to an unnatural ‘grey’.

The four main chapters focus on a particular season and contains techniques for painting its plants: for example. Papery bulbs in spring and jewel-like berries in winter, along with examples of the author’s stunning botanical artwork. We say: Ever so helpful, each chapter includes three step-by-step tutorials: the first for relative beginners, the second for artists of intermediate level and the third for more experienced artists.

* Craft Focus Issue

ISBN: 9781782219439

Dimensions: 280mm x 216mm x 17mm

Weight: 1014g

176 pages