Elusive Butterflies - Painting Course

Course duration: Friday 26 April - 5 July excluding 31 May and 7 June

Drawing / Watercolour / Acrylic / Mixed Media /etc

Spring blossoming into summer brings the fleeting iridescence of butterflies fluttering by flower meadows. Capture by sketching and/or shooting from different angles the intriguing shapes, wing patterns and colours of these welcome visitors, at rest (if you are fortunate) or skimming past.

In this engaging workshop series, you will learn the art of capturing the movement of elusive butterflies through drawing and painting. You will discover the techniques to capture the intricate details and patterns of butterfly wings. With the guidance of experienced artist and lecturer Dennis Parker, you will have the opportunity to draw inspiration from your own photos to create stunning artworks of these beautiful creatures.

Throughout the workshop, you will explore different materials and techniques to bring these elusive beauties to life. From the subtle textures of wings to the softness of a spring meadow, you will learn how to master the illusion of these natural elements.

By the end of the course, you will have created your own exquisite artwork featuring our winged friends. Not only will you have improved your technical skills, but you will also have a deeper appreciation for the beauty of nature's textures. Let your creativity soar!

Dennis Parker is an artist and lecturer in art with a BA and MA in fine art, printmaking and photography with over 30 years experience. He specialises in life drawing, photographic work including photographic shoots with models and ballerinas, landscapes, seascapes, animals, birds and flowers, in figurative, impressionistic and abstract styles, plus all aspects of calligraphy and illumination.

For levels from intermediate to advanced, with a mind open to exploring the wonder of the creative process.
  A series of completed artworks
  Acrylics -

• A3 pad of watercolour paper (300 gsm paper), NOT or cold pressed
• Acrylics starter pack: Daler Rowney or Winsor and Newton
• Brushes: bristle, small, medium, large, small bristle fan brush
• 2B pencil and eraser
• Large palette or plastic plate
• Small spray bottle
• Two large water containers
• Natural sponge
• Large cotton rag or old t-shirt

Drawing -

• A3 (at least) cartridge, watercolour, and any other 'toothed' papers
• A selection of drawing pencils, from 6H to 6B
• Carbon and charcoal pencils: soft grades e.g. 4B, 6B, 8B, etc.
• Erasers, including putty eraser
• Masking tape
• Board on which to rest your work (foamboard is ideal - firm and feather light)

Watercolours -

• A3 watercolour 140lb (300 gsm) paper
• Watercolours
• Nylon brushes, including fan brush
• Two large water containers
• Masking fluid
• Angled colour shaper
• Palette
• Large cotton rag
• Natural sponge

Mixed media -

• Watercolours
• Acrylics including structure gel
• Coloured pencils
• Felt tip pens
• Pastels: soft and oil
• Brushes
• Low-odour white spirit
• Mount spray
• Sponge and rubber rollers
• Plastic: 25 x 25 cm approx
• Scissors
• Coloured string and cotton
• Coloured tissue paper
• Bubble wrap
• Found objects
• Straws
• Fabric off-cuts
• Paper towels
• Supports: heavy paper / card / board / canvas

Please also bring:

• Photos and pictures of the subject matter. Photos to be in close-up from various angles and points of perspective and in various lighting; also from a distance. You could also bring photos or pictures of the background subject matter.
• Please also bring actual objects, models, or toys where possible and applicable, e.g. real or artificial feathers/fur.

This class series runs over 10 consecutive sessions, at the same time every week.