Art of Botanical Painting [Hardcover]

Margaret Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2004

The first definitive instructional guide to the art of botanical illustration, published in association with The Society of Botanical Artists and featuring step-by-step work by members of the Society. This beautifully illustrated book covers all aspects -- from plants and flowers to fruit, vegetables and gardens as a whole. Botanical illustration has been a popular art form for many centuries, with its appealing traditions of detail and beauty. Reflecting continued interest in the subject, The Society of Botanical Artists has, for the first time, decided to put together a practical teaching guide to the art. The Society's membership includes only the most highly-esteemed artists in the field, many of whom regularly teach, and this book reflects that depth of expertise. Packed with demonstrations, step-by-step exercises and stunning illustrations, this is an inspiring, practical guide, as well as a visual treat. Contents include: * Materials * Practical botany * Techniques for drawing, coloured pencils, watercolour painting and gouache * Painting greens & leaf library * Flower library * Composition * Working in the field * Fruit & vegetables * Working with photographs * Flowers in the garden * Botanical illustration * Presentation and framing * Exhibitions -- advice on showing

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Society of Botanical Artists was founded in 1985 to bring together artists of repute in this field. Members include winners of prestigious awards, including the Royal Horticultural Society's Gold and Silver Gilt medals, and their work is held in collections worldwide. Margaret Stevens, who wrote and co-ordinated this book, is the Society's Vice President. As well as teaching the subject, she has also previously published a practical guide to the art.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Reference Hbacks (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007169884
• ISBN-13: 978-0007169887
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,626,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

154 of 154 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best available book on Botanical Painting, December 31, 2004

By 

S. Bruntlett (Leicester, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Art of Botanical Painting (Hardcover)

What a fabulous book!

If you paint flowers in watercolour or are enrolled on a course of Botanical Illustration, as I am, then this is the book for you.

Written by Margaret Stevens in association with the Society of Botanical Artists, the book takes the reader briefly through the beginnings of Botanical Art to a useful chapter on materials including paper, watercolours and brushes. Whilst it doesn't proscribe a palette of colours, the great majority of the illustrations detail the colours used. The chapter on plant anatomy is useful for the non-botanist as is the one on drawing technique for those new to this aspect of painting.

What gives this book a considerable edge over others of this type is that its other purpose is as the text book for a two-year diploma course in Botanical Illustration run by the SBA. (The author is the course director.) There are up to a dozen examples of work covered from start to finish over several pages produced by members of the SBA, some of whom are tutors on the course. There is excellent detail of watercolour technique and superb coverage of the production of varied coloured leaves and flowers and the colours used in their painting. The chapters on composition, working in the field and painting fruit and vegetables are extremely useful. All chapters are illustrated by high quality botanical paintings, mostly by SBA members.

A beautiful book to own, better as an inspiration to painting but best of all as a reference when painting flowers in watercolours.

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the best, April 8, 2006

By 

Dragon Lady "flowerchild" (Chatham, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of Botanical Painting (Hardcover)

I've bought all sorts of books on botanical painting but this is the best of the best. The illustrations are fabulous, the instructions clear and comprehensive. Have you ever heard of "botanical gray"? This book is something you can't live without.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book, June 26, 2009

By 

Isabelle "Isabelle" (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Botanical Painting (Hardcover)

The illustrations in this book are phenomenal. The instructions very precise and clear. All together a very useful book which provides information that one can use to learn botanical painting.