Join us for a Life Drawing workshop where pumpkins, squashes and gourds will be our featured models for the day. Led by professional gardener and artist Jacky Mills.
Autumn brings a new season of changing light, shortening days and a rich harvest of robust produce in the form of pumpkins, squashes and gourds in an array of vibrant colours.
Come along and celebrate this wonderful time of year by capturing the voluptuous forms and vivid colours of these quintessential autumn vegetables on paper and board using the effect of Chiaroscuro or strong contrasting light to add drama to the composition.
We will begin the day with a series of quick warm up exercises to familiarise ourselves with the basic shapes of our subjects before looking at tonal values and how to capture their 3-dimensional form on paper. The emphasis will be on quick expressive sketches and having fun with pencil and charcoal studies before introducing colour with a selection of chalks, pastels and paints.
Exploring ways to encapsulate the beautiful curves of pumpkins and squashes, their contrasting flesh when cut open, their spiralling tendrils and the warty textural skin of gourds.
Jacky runs botanically themed art workshops through The Botanical Sketch Club and is a freelance writer and garden consultant. Her work has featured in Gardens Illustrated magazine. Having previously worked with leading garden designers Dan Pearson and Arne Maynard she currently works with Sarah Price landscapes.
Please arrive 9.30 – 10 am for coffee / tea and biscuits. A delicious, light vegetarian lunch with produce from the garden is included and afternoon tea and cake. If you have any specific dietary requests do let us know on the booking form.
What to bring
We will provide everyone with a range of art materials, equipment and different grades of paper but please feel free to bring along any of your own equipment that you may wish to use. Please bring appropriate footwear if you would like to see Caisson Gardens after lunch.
