© 2023 Donnett Vanek, graphite on paper
"Sunflower," graphite on paper, © Donnett Vanek 2023.
Fundamentals
of Drawing for the Botanical Artist with Donnett Vanek
Online Zoom
Join artist Donnett Vanek as she explores and demonstrates the Fundamentals of Drawing for the Botanical Artist. Mastering the techniques of drawing is an essential skill for botanical artists. Join Donnett as she discusses the elements of drawing, graphite techniques, perspective, and composition. Participants are welcome to follow along as Donnett demonstrates techniques using a sunflower as the subject matter. This workshop is suitable for artists of all skill levels.Limited to 20 participants.The workshop will be recorded—Donnett has generously agreed to allow us to video this workshop demonstration so those who are unable to participate on the day of the live event, or those who simply want to review will be able to watch it for seven (7) days following the workshop. Everyone who signs up for the workshop will have access to both the workshop and the recording.
Materials List
Graphite comes in various “grades”. “B” pencils feature softer graphite. “H” pencils feature harder graphite. The artist usually uses 2mm graphite leads HB, 2H, 4H and 6H grades. This type of graphite requires a lead holder. For this workshop either 2mm leads or traditional drawing pencils will work. To explore the different grades of graphite a set of drawing pencils may be a good choice.
If you order art supplies from Blick, CLICK HERE each time before starting your shopping. By doing so, ASBA will receive a portion of your purchase price at dickblick.com when you link to their website from this page, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting ASBA!
Drawing pencil sets:
https://www.dickblick.com/items/prismacolor-turquoise-pencil-set-sketch-set-graphite-set-12/
https://www.dickblick.com/products/faber-castell-9000-pencils/
For those interested in exploring or using 2mm graphite leads:
https://www.dickblick.com/products/faber-castell-tk-9400-drawing-pencil-lead/
https://www.dickblick.com/products/staedtler-leads/
https://www.dickblick.com/products/koh-i-noor-duette-lead-refills/
Lead holders:
https://www.dickblick.com/products/staedtler-mars-technico-780-lead-holder/
https://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-lead-holder/
https://www.dickblick.com/products/koh-i-noor-technigraph-lead-holder/
Pointer for 2mm lead:
https://www.dickblick.com/products/staedtler-mars-lead-pointer/
https://www.dickblick.com/products/alvin-rotary-lead-pointer/
Drawing paper:
The artist uses Arches hot pressed watercolor paper for finished renderings. For this workshop your favorite drawing pad or block is fine. Below are a few suggestions for drawing paper:
https://www.dickblick.com/products/arches-drawing-paper-pads/
https://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-400-series-drawing-paper-pads/
https://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-drawing-pads/
Kneaded eraser or vinyl eraser or your favorite eraser
https://www.dickblick.com/products/faber-castell-dust-free-vinyl-eraser/
https://www.dickblick.com/products/faber-castell-kneaded-eraser/
"Fundamentals of Botanical Drawing," graphite on paper, © Donnett Vanek, 2023.
Information at a Glance
DATE:
Saturday, August 12, 2023
9:00 am – 12:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time
WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS:
This is an online, Zoom workshop.
Limited to 20 participants.
FEES:
BAGSC Members: $65.00 US
Non-Members: $75.00 US
This workshop will be recorded and available for one week (seven days) following the live workshop.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WORKSHOP?
Contact BAGSC Education Committee by clicking here.
PROBLEMS WITH REGISTRATION
OR CONNECTING VIA ZOOM?
Contact BAGSC Media Committee by clicking here.
About the Instructor
Donnett Vanek is a contemporary botanical artist working in the traditional botanical art techniques of drybrush watercolor, graphite and block print. The artist’s studio is in the Los Padres National Forest,
near Los Angeles, California. Donnett’s work reflects her interest in California native plants and pollinators. Each rendering informs the viewer about a particular plant or pollinator’s unique characteristics. Inspiration for her work comes from walks in forests and nature preserves near her studio. Donnett’s observations of nature through art invite people to consider the important role that native plants have in the ecology of our landscape.
Donnett will be an exhibiting artist at the American Society of Botanical Artists/Marin Art & Garden Center 26th Annual International Exhibition, September 17, 2023 - November 26, 2023. She has been a featured artist in the prestigious ASBA’s the Botanical Artist; Journal of the American Society of Botanical Artists. In 2020, Donnett had a solo show: California Wildflowers and Pollinators, at the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants. Donnett has participated in several exhibitions with the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California. She has been a lecturer and demonstrating artist for BAGSC’s Day of Botanical Art 2021, 2022 and 20223.
Before pursuing botanical art full time, Donnett was a commercial textile designer. After leaving the commercial textile industry, Donnett opened Dishragstudio where she created a line of hand block printed kitchen linens. All blocks were hand carved by the artist and then hand printed onto a line of linens that included tea towels, napkins and tablecloths.
For more information on the artist please go to her website:
Contact information :
Social media and website:
https://www.instagram.com/donnett.dishragstudio/
https://www.facebook.com/DonnettatDishragstudio