I am pleased to share with you some updates on workshops I will be giving later in 2019 and in 2020.
Barcelona
October 31 – November 3, 2019
I am delighted to be returning to Barcelona in late October to offer a workshop in botanical art. While I will be covering the basic techniques needed for beginners in botanical art, this time I will also be preparing a specific ‘first day’ of the course for those with a little more experience and those who have attended previous workshops.
Contact:
Please contact Laura Alonso for further information:
Having just finished a wonderful three day workshop for beginners in botanical art techniques in Waterford, facilitated by Classical Art Atelier, we are now planning another workshop to be based in Cork from September 6 – 8, 2019. This will be a great opportunity for those who would like to learn the essential techniques required to make a botanical painting.
Contact:
Please contact Adrian Cooke of Classical Art Atelier for further information.
Easy and slow…..! Learning the art of botanical painting with MaryDillon
I am happy to give you details of some upcoming workshops I will be giving. I look forward to sharing with you my love for plants, painting and botanical art.
Spain – February 21 – 24, 2019
October 31 – November 3, 2019
Austria – May 17, 2019
Ireland – November 19 – 23, 2018
Spain
Barcelona
Course 1: February 21 -24, 2019
Course 2: October 31 – November 3, 2019
ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS:
Barcelona
February 21- 24, 2019
October 31 – November 3, 2019
Studio: Art Valles, Carrer Pallars, Barcelona. Time: 9 am to 3.30 pm each day
Cost: €280
Taking our inspiration from the changing seasons we will practise observational drawing to focus on light, form and composition before moving on to learning the basics of wet and dry watercolour techniques. By exploring a vibrant but simple colour palette we will use transparent layers of colour to bring vitality to our painting.
A small group will allow for demonstrations and individual tuition. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.
Enquiries to Laura Alonso: lauraalonso27 @gmail.com
To facilitate broader group collaboration, the Vienna School of Botanical Illustration are organising GET TOGETHER 2019 where artists can meet, exchange ideas and work together in practical workshops. Specialist visits to museums and archive collections along with a field trip to the Donau – Auden National Park will also be included. Portfolio showcases will be given by botanical illustrators and the workshop instructors. These will last one to two hours in the mornings and will be followed by a discussion.
All components of the programme are independent so that attendees can decide on their own level of involvement.
Botanical Art – Painting the flowers and bulbs of Spring
with experienced artist and tutor, Mary Dillon
Tulipa ‘Black Parrot’ WIP,Mary Dillon
Friday April 22nd and Saturday April 23rd 2016
Located in Kilkenny city
close to the ring road around the city – with easy road and rail access
(1hr 12mins by car from the Red Cow, Dublin)
Paint in an easy relaxed atmosphere.
Whatever your level of experience, learn techniques to enhance your painting.
Numbers limited to allow for one to one tuition
Subjects will be included
Morning and afternoon refreshments included
Please bring your own materials for watercolour painting
Euro 120
For more information: phone – 087 2224260 / email – dillonmary@eircom.net
Tulipa rococco Mary Dillon
Tulip MD
I have been involved in Art Education for many years, both with students in post primary school and in the area of providing continuing professional development for teachers.In 2011 I decided to focus specifically on my interest in Botanical Art and pursued the diploma in botanical art and illustration with the Society of Botanical Artists, graduating in May, 2014 with a diploma with distinction.
In March 2014, I became the founding Chairperson of the Irish Society of Botanical Artists. I coordinated the team responsible for the inaugural ISBA exhibition project, Aibítir, involving over seventy five participating artists.
In 2015, I was invited to become an associate member of the SBA.
I find teaching botanical art particularly rewarding as it gives me an opportunity to share my skills and to encourage others to see the world of plants in a new and exciting way.
What is it about flowers and plants that stirs us, that makes us stop in our tracks to take a second look? Is it colour, form, or the complexity or simplicity of their structure? For many of us, seeing a flower will evoke a memory, bringing us to another time or place.
Nasturtium, MD
Sweet Pea, MD
White Tulip, MD
Each of us will have our own personal response to this question. That’s the wonder of what makes us just as, if not more diverse and intriguing as these beautiful objects of interest that capture our imagination. If you are like me and you also love to paint then you too will be compelled to learn the art of painting plants!
Fuchsia magellica, Deora De, Mary Dillon
Life throws us lemons every once in a while and happily for me some time ago, just when I most needed a focus, I embarked on a course in botanical art and illustration. For me the SBA distance learning diploma course was a huge challenge, stretching me in ways beyond my expectations. In time, painting botanical art proved to have powers of healing both in body and spirit!
Canna ‘Black Knight’ WIP Mary Dillon
Learning the skills required to paint botanical art was invaluable. Albeit from a distance, I reaped the benefit of constructive criticism and unwavering encouragement from experienced tutors, like Margaret Stevens, Founding Director of the SBA course, among others. Simon Williams became the new course Director in the latter months of my studies, ably forging the way forward for the course.
Having spent many years as an Arts Educator both with students in post primary school and in providing continuing professional development for teachers, I firmly believe in the value of face to face tuition. While the SBA diploma course fulfilled so many of my needs, I felt I needed to learn directly from others too.
I’m grateful to inspiring artists and teachers, Susan Sex, Fiona Strickland and Robert McNeil for their generosity of spirit marking them out as true teachers. Just as we learn to love from those who love us, I feel we learn to teach from those who teach us. Margaret, Simon, Susan, Fiona and Robert all belong to a wide group of artists and teachers, whose wish is not just to keep their artistic talents to themselves, but who want to share their experience with others, simply because they love painting and plants!
Botanical Painting Days
In recent times, I’ve enjoyed the privilege of guiding people as they explore this beautiful art form.
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced and keen to learn some new exciting approaches to painting plants in a systematic and enjoyably relaxing way, these days are for you.
Come along and join me!
Where: Kilkenny City
When: Saturdays, March 28th, April 18th and June 6th. 10am – 3pm
If you’d like to join me for a day painting flowers and plants,
I was recently introduced to this beauty and commissioned to paint it in all its glory. Tricyrtis formosana or Toad lily is full of interesting features. From its deep magenta unopened buds through to its curiously spotted flowers, its seed head and its magenta marked leaves.
Tricyrtis formosana, Work in Progress
Here are some photos of the work in progress…….
Tricyrtis formosana nearly completed
Finally….. Ready for its new home!
Detail of Tricyrtis formosana
Mary Dillon +353 87 2224260 dillonmary@eircom.net.
