Since changing my topic focus from colour to botanical illustration, I have been using my sketchbook as a way to experiment and gain a better understanding of various mediums and natural 'botanical' subject matter for my new project. It has been a lot of fun and through experimentation I am able to see what styles, processes, approaches to media are best for me to work in; have the best results (in terms of depicting subject matter) and what I enjoy using most (process).
Sketchbook
Key Notes & Reflections from this process and media exploration so far:
• Copic Marker
- Surprising how working in Copic marker turned out. (pg x)
- Really realistic effect outcome
- However is this the aesthetic i want?
- Time consuming and maybe looks too traditional in aesthetic?
- what would this kind of work be? - botanical illustration // botanical art? - Both?
- Traditional vs non traditional botanical illustration? what style do I want to make for this project?
• Pen & Ink
- Too simple? (pg x)
- I like the minimal aesthetic - is this enough information for a botanist? is this still scientific?
- what would this kind of work be seen / used for? - botanical illustration // botanical art - Both?
• Paper cut
- can see value in the interactive / tactile depictions of the plants
- fun media to create plant details with
- gives another dimension to the artwork
- can still be scientifically accurate - just made from paper
- relates to Delaney's papercut collage flower work
- what would this kind of work be seen as? - botanical illustration // botanical art - Both?
Brief ideas for practical outcome (at this stage):
- Series of botanical art prints / pieces (paint, digital, screenprint, lino?)
- Illustrated paper cut botanical specimins (my own papercut herbarium)
- illustrated / educational book (series of artworks)
- proposal for further stationary pieces - based on designs for wither the prints or the book
- proposal for pins of the botanical pieces, scarves
Aims of practical outcomes
- Educate and inform
- Promote interest in the sciences
- Promote botanical institutions and current research into plant kingdom
- A celebration of the natural world
Content:
Artwork could be...
- based on a group of plants housed at the Sheffield botanical gardens (Primary research: location is close, can work closely with the gardens, have a florilegium society, smaller collection of specimens to work with at this time of year).
- based on a group of plants housed at Tropical world, Leeds (Primary research: largest collection of tropic plants outside of KEW Gardens, close location, could work closely with them, inexpensive entry.)
- based on a group of plants housed at KEW botanical gardens ( Primary research: best collection of plants in country, both living and taxonomic, has a herbarium. Problem is location and cost if i wanted to make a visit)
- based on a group of plants housed at the Cambridge Botanical Gardens ( Primary research: links with home, memories growing up, large and diverse collection, close to home - inexpensive to visit, lead in areas of botany...)
- based on endangered plant species (kew does research into this)
- based on new species of plants (discovered 96 new species of flora this year)
- based on plants in and around Leeds
- plant group specific to a botanical garden, i.e: Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam - Cycads
Notes to self:
Have noticed that as long as my work remains an accurate depiction of the subject and follows the aesthetic and scientific rules of botanical illustration (accuracy, colour theory, dissected view, correct to life aspects of the plant depicted, life like size, etc) - the artwork can be used for a wider variety of purposes across science and art. Also, even if the illustrations aren't exactly accurate (like a lot of mine) and they would not be appropriate for botany...they could however still be used to gain interest in the sciences and natural world via educational routes and publications. As well as scientific and educational purpose, this work also has the potential for decorative purposes, formats, distribution (screen print collection, stationary, apparel, textiles etc). Scientific purpose, educational and decorative.
Practical Tasks / To Do:
- Research / decide on subject content (plants species)
- Research KEW herbariums specimens
- Contact Kew for a visit?
- Create a dummy book - papercut herbarium
- Experiment creating herbarium specimens out of paper (Ref. Kew Gardens )
- Try tissue paper?
- Continue to play with media - start making decisions / narrowing down approach
- try lino cut piece?