Botanical Watercolour on Calf Vellum

'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.