Class Information
Understory Alphabetica is an ongoing artist’s book project that documents the forest floor one letter at a time—R for Resinous Polypore, C for Chicken of the Woods. This two-day workshop brings that project to the RAL campus. Participants walk the Henlopen Acres woodland until a specimen earns their attention, research it, then spend two days learning to draw and paint it with Micron pen and watercolor. Day One focuses on observation, research, and ink mark-making; Day Two introduces watercolor as a tool for describing form. Participants leave with one finished naturalist’s spread and the method to continue the book independently. All 26 letters are waiting.
Supply List
A complete list will be provided upon registration. General requirements: Etchr studio sktechbook 8 X8, Micron pens in a variety of sizes (black, sepia, or gray), basic watercolor set, small porcelain palette, watercolor brushes
Materials
Watercolor, graphite, Micron pen: Your sketchbook can have one or all three! You’ll need basic colors of watercolor and a travel set/pan is excellent for what we are doing. Brushes, water vessels, paper towels. Graphite means pencils AND sharpeners. And erasers. Micron pens come in black, graphite, or sepia. I like the sepia color, but whatever you decide on, please find a variety of pen sizes.
Watercolor specifics: Watercolor:
Suggested set: Daniel Smith Watercolor Half Pan – Set of 12, Metal Box, Assorted
https://www.dickblick.com/products/daniel-smith-watercolor-half-pans/?Item=01683-1129
Porcelain palette:
Richeson Flower Porcelain Mixing Tray
https://www.dickblick.com/products/richeson-flower-porcelain-mixing-tray/?fromSearch=/search/?searchword=porcelain palette
Brushes (suggested):
Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Brush – Long Tapered Round, Short Handle, Size 4
https://www.dickblick.com/products/da-vinci-maestro-kolinsky-brushes/?Item=06753-1004
Good to have:
Magnifying glass, a small ruler, a straight edge for planning your page layout, a rechargeable or battery-powered light, a small basket or bag for collecting items to draw