Introduction to Botanical Drawing

James S. Sisti

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www.hikeanddraw.nyc

❖ Introduction

❖ Botanical vs. Classical Drawing

❖ Getting Started

❖ Identifying Plants

❖ Scope of Work

❖ Ethical Research Guidelines

❖ Botanical Drawing Kit

❖ Techniques & Mediums

❖ Long-form Exercise

❖ Staying Inspired

Today’s Agenda

• To accurately demonstrate the morphology of a plant species

• Botanical illustration is always a true and lifelike representation of a plant

• Plant morphology – “represents a study of the development, form, and structure of plants, and, by implication, an attempt to interpret these on the basis of similarity of plan and origin”

• The union of science and art

Definition of plant morphology – Wikimedia

Botanical Drawing

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Classical Drawing• To craft an interpretation of life – an

object, experience, emotion, etc.

• Classical drawing is not bound by scientific accuracy, but instead held to the standard of artistic traditions and particular movements throughout time

• Still life – a collection of art objects where “…the artist does not literally imitate nature, but instead uses (their) awareness of the visual properties of nature to fashion (their) materials into a representation."

Definition of still life – Michael Vandy

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❖ Gather (or find) at least three specimens of the same species - always follow ethical guidelines

❖ Use the plant ID system

❖ Record data points

❖ While drawing, prioritize unique specimen attributes to help differentiate from similar species

Getting Started

• Start with…

‣ Noting the plant’s location (GPS) and the date the plant was observed

‣ Describe the nature of the habitat (weather)

‣ Observe the growth stage of the plant

• Then consider…

‣ Leaves (simple or compound?) – Note shape, margins, texture, leaf arrangement on stem, and whether or not there is a stalk.

‣ Flowers (petals or no petals?) – Note color, time of season (peak season?), shape and petal arrangement

‣ Sex – Note the presence of seed pods, fruits, and reproductive structures

• Verify observations…

‣ Consult an expert at a Botanical Garden or local nature center

‣ Online via PlantNet or the USDA plant database

• Share findings with…

‣ Family and friends

‣ A local nature club

‣ Online community pages or social media

Botanical Drawing Plant Identification System

©2020 Hike and Draw, LLC

• Comparing the structural form of multiple specimens (same species)

• Observing Vegetative (somatic) and reproductive structures

• Observing specimen structures from smallest to largest (cells, upward)

• Examining patterns of development over the course of a specimen’s lifecycle

Image: “Rosa centifolia foliacea,” 1824 by Pierre-Joseph Redouté. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Scope of Work

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• Know the laws of the land and get a permit or permission when required

• “Leave no trace”

• “Leave it better than you found it”

• Never disturb a member of an endangered or protected species

• Do not take more specimens than your studies require

• Keep all living specimens happy and healthy

• Return all specimens to their proper place

• Never collect for commercial gain

Ethical Research Guidelines

Prepare a suitable field kit that is accessible. Only bring what you know you are going to use.

• Scrap paper for warming up

• Quality hot-press (smooth) paper

• Mechanical or B Pencil

• Embossing tool (toothpick will do)

• Color pencils (or watercolor paint)

• Compact lens (or microscope)

• A pair of drafting compasses

• Measuring tape

Botanical Drawing Kit

❖ Time to draw! Start planning your drawing in pencil before moving on to the line work

❖ Accurately record data

❖ TIP – use an embossing tool before shading in order to “highlight” a leaf’s veins

❖ Emphasize the important parts of the plant

❖ Blend colors accurately on scrap paper before adding color to your drawing

Techniques & Mediums

Field study with measurements Annotated study of botanical aspects & variations

Specimen Name: Date/Time:

Weather: Location/GPS Coordinates:

Measurements of other attributes

Color notes for study of specimen

Additional notes

Botanical Drawing Example❖ This drawing depicts

the Northern Red Oak (Quercus Rubra)

❖ Color notes create a reference for variations in color palette ie: the fruit presents in several color variations.

❖ Baseline data helps pinpoint where the plant is located

• Family: Aquifoliaceae (beech, chestnut, chinquapin, oak)

• Plant Type: Tree

• Foliage type: Simple leaf, alternating arrangement, pinnately veined, broadleaf evergreen

• Tree height: Average 15-30 feet (4.5 - 12 meters)

• Native Habitat: Deciduous – Massachusetts to Florida, west to Texas and Missouri

• Trunk width: 50 cm (20 in)

• Flower Color: Greenish-white, both male and female

• Fruit: Red drupe (stone fruit)

• Sun/light exposure: Full sun to part shade

• Water requirements: Well drained, sandy soils, but will tolerate those which are somewhat poorly drained

• Bark: Light gray, roughened by small warty lumps.

• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen, vibrant red berries in autumn

• Link: https://plants.usdahttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_ilop.pdfa.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_quru.pdf

American Holly (Ilex opaca)

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Specimen Name: American Holly (Ilex opaca) Pinnately-veined leaves with alternating arrangement

Photo credit: W.D. Brush. Provided by National Agricultural Library (left) USDA-NRCS (right)

Specimen Name: American Holly (Ilex opaca) bark, twig, and profile

Photo credit: W.D. Brush (left), Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation (middle), W.R. Mattoon (right)

Specimen Name: American Holly (Ilex opaca) dioecious flowers Male/staminate (left) and Female/pistillate (right)

Photo credit: By Cressler, Alan (left), Brundage, Stephanie (right)

Specimen Name: American Holly (Ilex opaca) Seeds

Photo credit: By Steve Hurst

• Make hiking or nature meditation a part of your weekly or daily routine

• Read up and become knowledgable on your favorite nature subject

• Teach someone what you’ve learned

• Start a nature journal

• Join an online community or group

Staying Inspired

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Discounts, downloadable resources and more!

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Join the Hike and Draw Facebook Community

• 11/27/20 – Hike and Draw Community LiveDraw Social @ 6:30 - 8:00 PM EDT

• 11/28/20 – Nature Journaling @ 12:00 - 1:30 PM EDT

• 12/10/20 – Nature Drawing Intro @ 6:30 - 8:00 PM EDT

• 12/21/20 – Botanical Drawing Intro @ 6:30 - 8:00 PM EDT

• HOLIDAY TIME :)

• Visit www.hikeanddraw.nyc for all workshop updates.

Workshop Schedule – November/December

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Thank You!

J A M E S @ H I K E A N D D R A W . N Y C

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