'Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about vellum?

Botanical artist, Lesley Alexander will share her knowledge of painting on vellum.

Used as a writing and painting surface since before the Middle Ages, Lesley loves the luminosity and glow that can be achieved working this traditional way.

You will learn:

what vellum is
how it is prepared
it's uses now and in times past
how to prepare the vellum with pumice powder and
watercolour techniques to work on this very beautiful surface before spending the rest of the time painting a small colourful Pohutukawa leaf.

Ideally you will have some experience using watercolour but that is not essential.

Materials provided:

A small piece of natural vellum

Materials participants need to bring:

A small piece of natural vellum will be supplied, and some art supplies will be available for you to use, but please bring:

Watercolour paper for practicing techniques - a small A5 piece is all you will need
Notebook or paper for taking notes
A4 piece of tracing paper
Watercolour paints - professional quality is best, but bring what you have making sure they are transparent or semi-transparent pigments
White gouache
Watercolour brushes - you will need small sizes such as #00, #1, #2, #4
HB or H pencil
Putty rubber
Masking tape
Board - A4 to tape the vellum to
Scalpel – with rounded blade
Palette
Soft cloth or kitchen roll
Small water container x 2
Magnifying glass

There may be a chance to buy pieces of vellum at the end of the workshop.

Contact the host of Botanical Watercolour on Calf Vellum