Virtual Illustrating Fishes Workshop—Intermediate Mixed Media Techniques (1-day/4 hours total) 26 September

11am - 4pm EST

This is one-day intermediate workshop designed for those who have taken an illustrating fishes class with me. Each participant should come to the class with a good pencil drawing of a fish. We will NOT be working with specimens, nor we will be going into much detail about creating the pencil drawing. I'm happy to look at your drawing before the class to make sure it will work for the purposes of this workshop. 

During this workshop, we will work with a variety of media including watercolors, pen and ink to bring you drawing close to a finished scientific illustration. Participants should have some experience working with watercolors, pen and ink.

Unlike my other workshops that involve history and procedures for working with specimens in the studio, the entirety of this workshop will be dedicated to guided illustration.

Participants may select the Post Workshop Critique Option (+$50), which will allow them to send their finished illustration to Karen after the workshop for additional feedback and discussion (30 minutes via Zoom, phone, or in-person).

Recommended experience level: A previous class (or commensurate experience) in illustrating fishes is desirable but not essential. 

Materials list:

For watercolor paint, we'll be using traditional European-style colors. I'll be using Holbein watercolors. If you are purchasing watercolors for this class, this set would be a good choice: Holbein Artists' Watercolors - Set of 12, Assorted Colors, 5 ml Tubes

For colored pencils, we will be working primarily with professional-quality, wax-based colored pencils. I will be using Prismacolor watercolor pencils, but you’re more than welcome to use any professional-quality, wax-based colored pencils (e.g., Caran d'Ache, Prismacolor). This class does not focus on oil-based colored pencils like Faber-Castell Polychromos. Here’s a link to Blick’s selection. The Set of 24 Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils is a good choice if you need to purchase for this class.

For pens, we will be using fineliner pens (e.g., Sakura Pigma Micron Pens). I will be using Micron Pens in sizes 01,03 and 05. This set of three Sakura Pigma Micron Pens would be a good starting point if you are purchasing new. Also, please have a Sakura Gelly Roll Opaque White Pen (set of three is fine) and a Micron Brush Marker.

For watercolor paper, what you have will work! Having said that, in general, the watercolor paper choice is the single most impactful choice you can make as far as the quality of the finished piece. My preference personally would be hot-press watercolor paper or Bristol paper (which is not watercolor paper, but works well given its smoothness). It is easier to find cold press watercolor paper, and that will work. The hot press has a smoother surface, and that’s what I usually choose for scientific illustration because the smoother surface, the more detail it will accept. Weight is also an important factor. The heavier the weight, the more the paper can withstand without buckling or damage. I will likely be using 300-pound, hot press watercolor paper this weekend.

For tracing paper, any tracing paper or vellum will work.

In terms of pencils, it’s good to have at least one soft graphite pencil (B) and one hard graphite (F or H) for transferring the line drawing.