Botanical Art in Watercolor: Squash Blossoms

This class is a great introduction to watercolor techniques for botanical art. We will explore part of one of The Three Sister’s Summer series, Squash Blossoms. In the first 20 min of the workshop, we will explore basic and common watercolor techniques to get us warmed up. The remaining portion of the class will be focused on breaking down elements of the squash blossom and applying the techniques we learned to create whimsical botanical art.

Main Concepts:

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

Tools 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, Cadmium Red Pale Hue, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine Blue
• 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 Squash Blossoms
• 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.