Watercolour over graphite is a technique in its own right, combining detailed, tonal graphite pencil drawing & watercolour painting techniques.
During this workshop, you will develop careful observational and drawing skills working to life-size from primary source botanical subject matter.
You will practice colour-mixing with watercolours and apply painting tools & techniques as appropriate to describe the characteristics of your subject.
By the end of the session, you will have created a study sheet with notes of techniques, and a finished botanical watercolour over graphite study.
Open to: Everyone! No experience required.
Where and when: 20th July 2024, 13:00 to 16:00 at Baptist Church, 135 Hill Road, Folkestone CT19 6LY. Free parking is available.
What to bring:
- Sketchbook, pen, ruler
- 1 x 1/4 sheet hot-pressed watercolour paper (e.g. 140lb Saunders, Waterford, Arches – 28x38cm/11×15”)
- 4H – 2B graphite pencils, erasers, blending tools/paper stumps
- Watercolour paints, including white (Claire uses pans, not tubes), palette for mixing
- Watercolour brushes – rounds sizes 6, 3, 1 + small short-haired flat brush
- Water jar, kitchen towel, drawing board, masking tape
- You might like to bring your own botanical subject e.g. brown onion, asparagus, flower stem
Biography
Claire Sparkes is a contemporary artist, living and working on the South East coast of England. She grew up in Deal, a seaside town in Kent where early on she realised a passion to study art.
After completing a Foundation Course at Maidstone College of Art in 1989, Claire studied a degree in Fine Art Painting at the Sir John Moore’s University in Liverpool 1989 – 1992.
Later in 2009, Claire achieved an MA in Fine Art at the University for the Creative Arts at Canterbury.
Over the years, Claire has exhibited in London, other UK cities and abroad in both group and solo exhibitions. Her work is held in public and private collections across the UK, and has been used for illustration. In 2019 Claire was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, and has been a member of the Society of Graphic Fine Art since 2013. Since 1995, Claire has also taught a variety of successful drawing and painting courses.
Find out more at Claire’s website.