'Beautiful British Bees' - Microscopy Art Workshop with Cath Hodsman

We all know bees are amazing pollinators,  and part of the lifeblood of our planet, but, did you know  for instance that worker honey bees are really so cute and fluffy close up? And that they  have been trained to 'sniff' out drugs and explosives more quickly than dogs? They are simply, amazing!

Cath Hodsman is a nationally acclaimed wildlife artist, who's specialty is bugs! (Entomology for my posh readers :) )  I had an amazing time last week, first, learning many new and fascinating facts about the honey bee, and then studying, and drawing them under the microscope, using Cath's expertise and knowledge to guide me.

For someone like me, who's passionate about nature, art and detail, this was a truly wonderful experience!

Here's my Worker honey bee, outside hind leg x 15 magnification.

It's incredible when the teeny tiny little thing on your slide suddenly becomes this  huge, amazingly detailed furry limb!

Cath explained how to actually take a photo through the microscope itself. (This is not a great shot as it's really hard to do, you can hardly breathe;  but, it gives an idea of what we were looking at, and some of the incredible detail.)

 Cath suggested we also do a label, which was great fun to play around with after the intensity of using the microscope. I loved using it, but it is an entirely new way to draw, and can initially, cause eye strain.  You must take breaks. We worked in graphite and colour pencil on hot press watercolour paper,  building up layers after laying the initial foundation drawing.

 

Cath explaining something - opposite  my workstation with microscope and slides!

For anyone worrying, all Cath's 'subjects' are natural bee deaths and very reverently preserved and looked after. She's a passionate conservationist and a lady after my own heart! There was a lot of fun and laughter during the day.

                Fellow students at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, enjoying our day.

Here are a couple of examples of Cath's work, please visit her website to see more of her beautiful art.

I thoroughly recommend her workshops. The knowledge I gained will help me in my nature art journaling, and, in helping to save our precious bees!

Third week of sketches - almost there!

Well,  I'm still managing to keep up my sketching challenge - and thank you  all for you lovely comments and support, which are very welcome and appreciated.  In the spirit of my journal  I kept it local and meaning full to me,  and it's another mixed bag again this week.

Day 18: Dusk/sunset. This is the lovely old Edwardian lighthouse just down the road! Watercolour

Day 19: A self portrait!  Okay this was scar , no, terrifying,. But I did it! Graphite and coloured pencil.

Day 20: Something made with chocolate. Slurp! Watercolour

 Day 21: Tools! Well, I had to choose these didn't I! Noodlers flex pen/Lexington Grey ink and watercolour.

Day 22: An historic building -  Kings Weston House of course! Noodlers flex pen/Lexington Grey ink, watercolour, and water soluble graphite.

Day 23: A machine - again, I had to try and draw my lovely old Singer! Noodlers flex pen/Lexington Grey ink and watercolour.

Day 24: A barn or shed. This is the lovely C13th century Tithe Barn at Frocester in Gloucestershire, just down the road from my old home. Watercolour.

 

Just one more week to go. I'm determined to keep  sketching daily after the challenge is complete!

Of Doodles and Tangles

Are you straight or curved?
It came to me that whatever the situation I am always going to take the wiggly path.  Straight lines and I do not agree, or understand each other! Similarly, drawing the same thing over and over is also something I find difficult.  I would never make an animator! So, I always thought pattern was something I  just couldn't 'do' properly.

This month though, left little time for creating due to family issues. I was introduced to  the world of tangling by my lovely cousin Glenys (who creates (the most amazing) - official Zentangles). To my amazement, I found lots of the patterns similar to my regular notepad doodles and scribbles.  Even more strange - it was really fun, and relaxing, using pattern to unwind, and de-stress over not getting any work done! For the last two weeks I've been playing around and being whimsical each evening - and I feel as if I've actually done some art.

This is a whole new world for me - and I see many uses for design which I wouldn't have thought of before.

My main reason for sharing is that, if you like me, are very late to this concept of 'formalising' your doodles -  give it a try! They're a fantastic warm up exercise before sketching, and  really help you relax and free up.  There are loads of books and info on the net if you're interested - and lots of expert advice. 

These aren't Zentangles in any way, as they have a very specific remit -  they might be Zen doodles though?  Anyway,  they're certainly very basic compared to many of the wonderful creations I've seen. I've no idea if any of these are 'named' patterns, they're just my scribbles,  so apologies if I should be crediting anyone, I'm not familiar with Tangle etiquette! It's  just great to try something you thought you'd never do formally - and find it enjoyable!

I got so carried away I got out the coloured pencils!

 

 And even got seasonal! 

 

 I'll be introducing  this idea to my embroidery students next term, because I think they'll love it!