Botanical Drawing using Graphite and Coloured Pencils

Book excerpt: Drawing with graphite and coloured pencils enables the artist to capture every detail of a plant, and to enjoy, study and celebrate their wonderful forms. Whether the illustration is a striking monotone or vibrant with colour, pencils give you absolute precision. This book, written and illustrated by an award-winning botanical artist, introduces and explains the drawing skills behind the art. Each chapter concentrates on a different aspect of the plant, working upwards from the root system to include the stem, leaves, flowers and fruit. Fungi have also been included due to their close association with plants. With tips and advice throughout, the techniques are supported by step-by-step projects, clear exercises and over 300 colour illustrations. The author explores the techniques of using graphite and coloured pencils, with practical help on lighting, posture and keeping plants fresh. There is instruction on composition, colour charts and mixing, and advice on portraying texture and hairs, and achieving bloom on fruit, with simple explanations of botany to aid the artist's understanding. Lavishly illustrated with 307 colour images.