Botanical Art in Watercolor: Desert Penstemon

This class is a great introduction to watercolor techniques for botanical art. We will explore Desert Penstemon Blooms through a unique medium that has been used by artists and illustrators throughout the years. These plants are native to the southwest and a wonderful bright delight when they bloom! We will use some of the illustrations we created in the March’s ink class as our base illustrations for this one.

Main Concepts:

• Basics in watercolor color application & techniques
• Discover organic shapes and line contour

Materials Needed:

• 2H or 4H, & HB pencil, eraser (Streader), kneaded eraser & ruler
• 140lb 9”x12” Cold press or Hot press Watercolor
• Watercolor – Main ones used in this class: Winsor & Newton-Sap green, prussian blue, Mauve, Perm Rose (May substitute brand)
• Colored Pencils – Verithin Prisma color pencils work best
• 3 Round brushes: #4 Long Round, #6 Long Round, #3 or #5 Synthetic inexpensive brush for mixing
• 2 water jars/cups, towel or paper towel
• Mixing palette
• Photo of Claret Desert Penstemon (A few photos will be sent with the Zoom link email before class)
• Optional – Small spray bottle or eye dropper
• Optional before workshop – tracing options: Tracing paper, light box or bright window to transfer subject to watercolor paper

Instructor

Adela Antoinette

Adela Antoinette (She/Her) is a published illustrator, designer and makeup artist. As a southwest born desert dweller, Antoinette’s work primarily centers on Sonoran Desert flora but fluctuates within botany through visiting different regions across the states. She specializes in various traditional mediums including her favorite, watercolor in which she has taught in workshops and classes at the Denali Education Center and The Drawing Studio. Her work has been displayed in various galleries in Arizona, Alaska, and California. Antoinette studied illustration and design at the University of Arizona, receiving her degree in Visual Communication. She is a Tucson, Arizona artist currently living in New York City.