Virtual Illustrating Fishes Workshop—Mixed Media Techniques (2-day/8 hours total) 14-15 November

11am - 4pm US ET each day (with one-hour break each day)

During this two-day workshop, students will work with a variety of media including watercolors, pen and ink to illustrate fishes. This is an intermediate class, and participants should have some experience working with watercolors, pen and ink.

The class will begin with a brief overview of scientific illustration and specifically the history of illustrating fishes. We will also touch on tools, procedures, and best practices for working with specimens in the studio space. 

The second half of the workshop will be dedicated to guided illustration using the techniques we've learned and working with our fish specimens.

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

For dissection trays, I noted on the Material’s List that you could purchase them online from a place like Carolina Biological (or even Amazon). I have a few purpose-built ones myself, but most of the ones I use for in-person classes are ones I made. To make your own, buy some paraffin wax. Gulf Wax Household Paraffin Wax is available at my grocery store, hardware store and places that sell canning goods. I use four 16 oz bars for one deep baking pan. It’s recommended to melt the wax using a double boiler method on the stove top and then pour it into the cake tray. Having said that, I usually do it in the oven given that I am lucky enough to have an oven that is very precise at low temps (120°F to 200°F). Regardless of how you melt the wax, then just set it on a level, heat resistant surface to cool. Please note, melting paraffin wax in the oven can be dangerous, so if you don’t have an oven with reliable low temp settings, stick to stove top or heat plate. Finally, if you don’t have/can’t make a dissection tray, a piece of foam and some pins will work, as we are simply pinning the fish and not doing an actual dissection.

For your specimen, we will all be working with formalin preserved perch for this workshop. Please use the link to purchase your specimen directly from Carolina Biological. Select Plain, 7-9", and 1 per Bag for the options. The fish should cost $4.75+shipping.

Finally, for pins, if you have Handi-Pins or another pin designed for dissection, that’s great. Otherwise, most any stout pin will work, including kitchen pins and even straight pins.