Friday, September 22, 2017

Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals Review & GIVEAWAY

I'm learning more about using colored pencils with the Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals: Secrets of Observational Drawing by Valerie Baines. This 112 page paperback was released Jan. 1, 2017 from Rockport Publishers. It's a beautiful 8.5" x 10" workbook about botanical illustration with colored pencils. Colored pencil art is becoming very popular. The author, a noted British botanical artist, guides you through 48 practical exercises, helping you to observe, select colors and draw. You add the colored pencils. The author lists 20 colors she finds most useful for botanical work. An exquisite collection of works by classic botanical artists serves as both inspiration and study. Valerie emphasizes analyzing these to gain a better understanding of values, composition, color etc. The floras are listed seasonally. For each plant: read the lesson notes, study the masterworks and draw. A demo sketch gets you started. Would you like to improve your colored pencil artwork? Get your copy below!

CONTENTS
Introduction
Tools and Materials
Sketchbook Opener

Crocus 
Pussy Willow
Spring Flowers
Narcissus
Primula

Lily of the Valley
Violets
Still Life with Flowers and Strawberries
Striped Tulip
Three Tulips

Still Life with Tulip, Melon and Flowers
Three "Broken" Tulips
Hyacinth
Strawberry
Apple Blossom

Iris
Bearded Iris
Hydrangea
Summer Flower Studies
Poppy: Pavot

Poppy
Anemones
Belladonna Lily
Lily
Agapanthus

Rosa Gallica
Branch of Roses
Still Life with Roses
Pink Rose with Buds
Bengal Rose

Eglantera Rose
Old-Fashioned Roses
Yellow Rose
Dandelion
Peony and Double Poppy

Peony
Cape Blue Water Lily
Water Lily
Morning Glory
Peach

Chrysanthemum
Yellow Chrysanthemum
Autumn Leaves
Oak Leaves and Acorns
Apple

Stone Pinecone
Eastern Pinecone
European Holly

About the Artist
Acknowledgments


Page 4 & 5. Tulips, Cornflower and Anemone. Nicolas Robert (1614-1685) French.


Image result for Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals
Page 8 & 9. Tools, material and tips.


Page 38 & 39. Scarlet Strawberry. William Hooker (1779-1832) British.


Page 78 & 79. Dandelion. William Kilburn (1745-1818) Irish.









Page 24, violets by classic artist for study. Page 25, lesson notes, palette and demo sketch. My 5 color palette is set out and I've begun working on the demo sketch.

Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals is available worldwide at Rockport Publishing, a division of the Quarto Publishing Group USA. Check out their unique catalog at Rockport Publishing. Quarto has generously offered to giveaway a copy! One winner will be selected at random. Open until October 6, 2017. Prize includes cost of shipping. Canadian and USA addresses only. Good luck!



46 comments:

  1. This is an awesome sketch book.!

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  2. I love this giveaway and I also love the book, Creative Marker Art and Beyond.

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  3. I love to read art books, especially about painting in oils and acrylics.

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  4. Id love to gift Make Buildings: A doodle-design activity book to my grandson AJ

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  5. The Faith Journaling for the Inspired Artist looks like a beautiful journal. I seen quite a few books/kits that i added to my want list, i liked The Shed Chick too.

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  6. My girls would really love the Moana book!

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  7. Another Quarto book that would be fun to give or receive is "You Tell Me" illustrated by Korky Paul.

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  8. A book i would like to gift is Happy Birthday to You!

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  9. I think the 'Draw Your Own Fonts' book is pretty cool.

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  10. I like the Centerpieces book. I'd like to get some dinner table ideas.

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  11. I'd like The Complete Photo Guide to Making Metal Jewelry by John Sartin.

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  12. I like the Drawing: The Head book.

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  13. Brain Bend by Mister Mourao is interesting

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  14. I like the "Pets" book. It's cute

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  15. My son would loveeee the Just Imagine & Play! On the Site book!

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  16. I would love the Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook.

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  17. Neat books! I like Zen Origami also! Enjoy your day!!

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  18. I would like the Brain Bend book-I love puzzles.
    Flyergal82 at /yahoo -dot ;com)

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  19. Another book I would love to receive is "Crystals for Energy Healing by Ashley Leavy". Thanks!

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  20. I'd love to get the "Beginning Acryclic" painting book.

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  21. Walk in the Park Note Cards is my cup of tea!

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  22. Another book I would love to receive is: "Draw 500 Fabulous Flowers" by Lisa Congdon (A Sketchbook for Artists, Designers, and Doodlers).

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  23. Another book I would like is Birds & Blooms Artwork By Geninne by Geninne

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  24. Wow, there are so many fascinating books there! I could sit here for hours looking. The first one I came across that caught my eye was Illuminating Wisdom by Craig Hassed. Its beautiful and sounds like my type of read. :)
    Jeanette G.

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  25. Another book I'd love is Classic Sketchbook: Cats by Patricia J. Wynne

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  26. Quarto has some great titles! I saw at least a few I'd love to have. In Search of Stardust sounds both fascinating and fun. And Pets looks absolutely adorable!

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  27. I also like the tangled circles and Mandalas book.

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  28. I'd love a copy of Drawing-Trees-and-Leaves!

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  29. I would love to have the Led Zeppelin book or the Beekeeper's Lab.

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  30. I love flowers and would cherish this book

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  31. Oceans in 30 seconds sounds like a book by little niece would enjoy.

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  32. Cooking with Nonna by Rossella Rago.

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  33. I'd like Sharpie Art Workshop for Kids.

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  34. Great books! i really like the The Art of Drawing Dangles by Olivia A. Kneibler

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  35. Lots of Dots by Ana Enshina
    Beautiful Art that Starts with a Dot love this book so cool

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  36. I would like the Square Foot Gardening: Growing Perfect Vegetables by Mel Bartholomew Foundation
    A Visual Guide to Raising and Harvesting Prime Garden Produce.

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  37. Would like to try the recipes in Comida Cubana, A Cuban Culinary Journey.

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  38. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  39. Drawing is very important to all for improving creative skills.I am glad to read your blog ,it helped me to know more details about drawing .Now i want to learn Drawing Courses In Chennai from best institute who can teach best Drawing Classes In Chennai

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  41. Hi Amazing Post!!! I like this website so much it's really awesome. Nice information About Drawing classes in chennai.Thanks for sharing good information with beautiful images.I hope you will be posting more like this beautiful posts.
    All the best

    ReplyDelete
  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete