Recent work 2008

Here are a couple of examples of older work as a starting point to compare to new work as I progress through the Society of Botanical Artist Distance Learning Diploma.I've been exhibiting with the SBA off and on since 2002 and though a distance learning course seemed like a great idea!

Scots Thistle, Onopordum acanthium

 

Foxglove study on vellum, Digitalis purpurea. My first painting on vellum 2007

Gloxinia, exhibited at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation for the 12th International, painted 2004 or 2005 . This img from the catalogue

 A study of a foxglove flower Digitalis purpurea in the style of Arthur Harry Church and a Scots thistle, Onopordum acanthium. You can view more of my work at www.diannesutherland.com
The thistle is painted on Arches HP using Windsor & Newton Artists paint and Kolinsky sable WN brushes.
The foxglove study is on Kelmscott vellum. I prefer vellum as a surface because it gives a greater vibrance of colour and allows very fine detail that I find hard to achieve on paper.
The Gloxinia was exhibited as part of the 12th International at the Hunt Institute in 2007. I was invoted to participate in this exhibition by James White back in 2005. Such a shame that I didn't attend

Beginnings, the SBA Distance Learning Diploma

Having just started the Society of Botanical Artists Distance Learning Diploma Course I thought it might be useful to create this blog as a personal record and to share with anybody that might be interested. I hope there are others out there!  I've been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember but only started to focus on plants about five years ago.

RHS judge Gillian Barlow advised me not to bother with this course the last time I exhibited with the RHS in 2008 but I hope this course will help me to have a more disciplined approach and to focus on my weaknesses.

Looking forward to it. I finished my BSc in Biology in 2006 and several post grad heavy duty things so ready for a slightly more chilled subject.

Never blogged before so forgive me for I know not what I am doing!

UPDATED info May 2015.... Looking Back

I've been prompted to come back to the start and add some more information simply because I've been made aware that these posts can help potential students. At the time of writing this post in Jan 2009,  there was no communication between students it was a very isolating experience, there was also very little feedback from tutors and no videos but maybe that's changed. I believe there are new resources.  The books to accompany the course are fairly limited compared with what's available today and I think confusing. I wouldn't say I regret doing the course and some aspects were ok but I don't think it was the best value, at the time it was around £2000, I think its considerably more now so I assume it has a lot more to offer.