Botanical Art
Botanical Art, Fresh and inviting, the botanical trend is a simple way to add character and energy to a scheme. I found “Botanical Art” a bit interesting so thought of expressing it.
“What is Botanical Art?”
Botanical Art is any kind of artistic, accurate representation of plants. Artists and experts in this field would distinguish between botanical art and botanical illustration. Both should be botanically and scientifically accurate, but art can be more subjective and focused on aesthetics; it does not have to be a complete representation.
On the other hand, artists who make pictures of plants are known as botanical illustrators. A botanical illustration, is for the purpose of showing all parts of a plant so that it can be identified. Both are detailed, accurate representations as compared to other works of art that just happen to be of or contain plants and flowers.
The trend of decorating with green plants, flowers and cacti is still going strong. Botanical Art isn’t a new trend; it has actually been growing on a very steep upward climb for the last 3 years. The closer we get to the warmer months, the faster our botanical posters are flying off the shelves. The tools required for botanical art are Vellum, cotton paper, watercolor paper, archival paper. Vellum is the unique and perfect type of paper for exploring the surface topography of plants. 100% cotton paper is considered to be the best for botanical art.
3 Basic types of watercolor paper:
· Rough: this type has a pronounced surface, known as tooth. It has bumps and dips which means color can puddle in the dips.
· Cold pressed: This has a slightly bumpy surface.
· Hot pressed: Smoothest paper, often used by botanical artists using watercolor or colored pencils.
Other types of Papers used for illustrations are illustration boards (smooth board suits artists who use dry media such as graphite and colored pencils). Bristol paper/Board is a super smooth plate surface often used for pen and ink by botanical illustrations.
Papers are made of cotton linters, cellulose (made from wood pulp). Sizing is the most important factor otherwise without sizing many papers would behave rather like blotting paper and fine marks would be impossible. For sizing the absorption, strength and smoothness matters for its resistance and fuzziness also how fast paint sinks into a paper.
This video has explained technique tips and ideas in the botanical art adventure via YouTube: https://youtu.be/Chq944lI1aU
Very famous botanical artists such as George Ehret and Pierre-Joseph Redoute both illustrated gardens. Many botanical artists develop their artwork by working through themes- creating collections of paintings of varieties of a species. All over the world a lot of famous artists are there who keep on practicing and implementing new ideas and techniques in the field of botanical Art.
As the earth loses its biodiversity, botanical drawing is an important way to examine and document plants that might disappear. During the age of Discovery, when botanical illustrators accompanied explorers and plant hunters, botanical illustration became a way of making a record of what a plant looked like. Botanical art captures the beauty of the natural world in all its intricate detail. It also has an important scientific function; producing images used by botanists to identify plants. Even more than this, it is crucial in the documentation and conservation of species.
Adding a touch of botanical Art into your home décor, office and other places you live is what invites the freshness, greenery, documentation and conservation of species.
The tips and techniques shared in our blog, might motivate you to try botanical art too if you are someone who is interested in the field of Art and plants.