For my next trick, I'm planning a proper botanical illustration. This isn't a new idea for me. I've wanted to do a proper botanical illustration for ages! I do have an ultimate goal in mind (aside from a finished illustration of course :). To help in my efforts to become a professional artist, I have been told by many different sources, that you must join professional associations. I want to join the BAC or Botanical Artists of Canada.
You don't necessarily need to be a professional illustrator to join the BAC. It only costs $30/yr and you will then be entitled to enter their juried exhibitions. It's also important to enter exhibitions and win awards! The more awards, the more you prove how good you are and the more you can charge :)!
I'm using the book "The Art of Botanical Painting" done in association with the Society of Botanical Artists. They are a very big deal in botanical illustration circles worldwide. They offer a program to teach you how to do it distance ed. It takes >2yrs, and you get an automatic admission to the SBA. They are much harder to get into than the BAC.
My first task is a drawing of a flower, from Chapter 4. I'm thinking of drawing a mallow plant that's currently in my garden. With fall coming on, flowers are getting to be a bit scarce and beggar's can't be choosers!
I've included the websites for both the BAC and the SBA so you can see the level of skill I'm aiming for:
http://www.botanicalartistsofcanada.org/
http://www.soc-botanical-artists.org/
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