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Just Draw Botanicals: Beautiful Botanical Art, Contemporary Artists, Modern Materials
Just Draw Botanicals presents a collection of 90 beautiful botanical images by contemporary artists from around the world. Dip-in for advice or flick through the pages for inspiration.
Each image is accompanied by a short introduction, information on the approaches, techniques and tools used, and useful tips. Advice covers composition, colour, painting techniques and tips for working with plants. This is the perfect guide for artists and art lovers alike.
Each image is accompanied by a short introduction, information on the approaches, techniques and tools used, and useful tips. Advice covers composition, colour, painting techniques and tips for working with plants. This is the perfect guide for artists and art lovers alike.
- GenresArtNonfictionReference
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2020
358 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 22, 2020
What an inspirational book for drawing botanicals. Some of these examples are just amazingly well done. Don't expect step by step tutorials, though. That would be undoable looking at the amazing quality of these drawings. All of these are made by real artists, no casual painters. I could never paint anything remotely close to these. However, this is a great book for inspiration, and just dreaming away at these beautiful botanicals.
It has some great tips, some of them are more modern and discusses editing on the computer, which is great! At the end it has a summary of materials and other resources you can check out for more help.
Thank you Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to read in trade for my honest opinion.
It has some great tips, some of them are more modern and discusses editing on the computer, which is great! At the end it has a summary of materials and other resources you can check out for more help.
Thank you Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to read in trade for my honest opinion.
January 24, 2020
This is a gorgeous book full of just incredibly beautiful drawings and paintings of botanicals -- flowers, leaves, mint sprigs in a glass, patterns, you name it. They are often just stunningly beautiful works, but this is not a how-to book. Each two page spread shows the artwork on one page (with lots of white space around it) and the other tells you a little bit about that piece and the artist, along with a tip related to it. These are award winning pieces though, the stuff you flip through for the beauty and inspiration, not try to replicate. The end section tells a little bit about materials.
I'm not sure why this series is called "Just Draw" since most of the works in this book are painted. No matter, though, they're gorgeous and just wonderful to visit again and again.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
I'm not sure why this series is called "Just Draw" since most of the works in this book are painted. No matter, though, they're gorgeous and just wonderful to visit again and again.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
February 16, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This is a stunning book of many different pieces of art to be used for inspiration and ideas, rather than copy. This book is not a how to or step by step book to follow.
The book displays different pieces of art and then tells you about each piece and then gives you a top tip for advice if your thinking of trying a piece like it.
A beautiful book for any art collection.
This is a stunning book of many different pieces of art to be used for inspiration and ideas, rather than copy. This book is not a how to or step by step book to follow.
The book displays different pieces of art and then tells you about each piece and then gives you a top tip for advice if your thinking of trying a piece like it.
A beautiful book for any art collection.
March 4, 2020
AUTHOR
Helen Birch is the collator of this unique compendium of magnificent literary work of art. She lives in Manchester, United Kingdom.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE
This is suitable for any epicurean of exceptional artistic expertise.
SYNOPSIS
This work is far more than a coffee table book. It is of Gallery quality in its presentation and content. The publication consists of a corollary of disparate international artists, united in their ability to illustrate 90 plants and flowers to an extraordinary level.
The book has full-page spreads of incredibly detailed botanical subjects, from a broad range of subjects. The professional expertise shines through on page after page. This level of artistic skill requires many thousands of hours of practical and theoretical application; with each painting requiring days or weeks of work to complete.
Whilst this is not a training manual for aspiring artists, it would make for an invaluable tool for anyone wanting to attain a higher competency in their craft.
The artistic styles and objects vary throughout the literature, thereby presenting a diverse and interesting presentation across the book. The author includes descriptions of each piece and suggested methods should the reader wish to attempt a similar subject. The format of the display pages has illustrations on one page and the previously mentioned tips and information on the other.
The fulcrum of the work is the Gallery. Alongside the gallery is a student to professional resource where there is some guidance on how to get started in botanical painting. The author includes reference pages and bibliographies for further study.
CONCLUSION
This is a stunning treasure of skill and ability created by a collection of global painters. It would increase the beauty and visual value of any bookcase or home library. Just Draw Botanicals has elevated the standard of botanical drawing compositions exceedingly high, forsaking many others.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My sincere thanks go to Helen Birch, NetGalley, and White Lion Publishing for affording me the opportunity to review Just Draw Botanicals.
Helen Birch is the collator of this unique compendium of magnificent literary work of art. She lives in Manchester, United Kingdom.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE
This is suitable for any epicurean of exceptional artistic expertise.
SYNOPSIS
This work is far more than a coffee table book. It is of Gallery quality in its presentation and content. The publication consists of a corollary of disparate international artists, united in their ability to illustrate 90 plants and flowers to an extraordinary level.
The book has full-page spreads of incredibly detailed botanical subjects, from a broad range of subjects. The professional expertise shines through on page after page. This level of artistic skill requires many thousands of hours of practical and theoretical application; with each painting requiring days or weeks of work to complete.
Whilst this is not a training manual for aspiring artists, it would make for an invaluable tool for anyone wanting to attain a higher competency in their craft.
The artistic styles and objects vary throughout the literature, thereby presenting a diverse and interesting presentation across the book. The author includes descriptions of each piece and suggested methods should the reader wish to attempt a similar subject. The format of the display pages has illustrations on one page and the previously mentioned tips and information on the other.
The fulcrum of the work is the Gallery. Alongside the gallery is a student to professional resource where there is some guidance on how to get started in botanical painting. The author includes reference pages and bibliographies for further study.
CONCLUSION
This is a stunning treasure of skill and ability created by a collection of global painters. It would increase the beauty and visual value of any bookcase or home library. Just Draw Botanicals has elevated the standard of botanical drawing compositions exceedingly high, forsaking many others.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My sincere thanks go to Helen Birch, NetGalley, and White Lion Publishing for affording me the opportunity to review Just Draw Botanicals.
December 15, 2020
The advice given is very short, just a clue of the technique. I like the different artists portrayed but I hoped for more from the title and description of the book
February 29, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Just Draw Botanicals is a beautifully curated artwork collection and gallery book by Helen Birch. Due out 3rd March 2020 from Quarto on their White Lion imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in flexibound format.
This is both an inspiration book and (much less so) tutorial or instruction book. It covers a very wide range of artistic styles and subjects. The only common theme is the botanical subject. It includes a helpful picture gallery table of contents as well as an artist index, so readers can concentrate on one artist at a time or the entire smorgasbord of variety which is included.
A short introduction is followed by the gallery of works. Each of the studies has the work on a full page with a *short* info and tips section on the facing page. These explanations include techniques such as medium used and other contrast and style info.
The gallery is followed by a short fundamental tutorial for drawing botanicals: choosing tools and materials, getting started, painting, sketching, and working digitally. The tutorial chapter segues into a short (but fairly useful) bibliography and links for further reading.
This is a well done book showing a very wide variety of rendering techniques. This would be a valuable resource for a student up to professional artist, or as a beautiful art book in its own right. I'm emphatically not a gifted artist, but I found a number of good tips in this compilation.
Five stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Just Draw Botanicals is a beautifully curated artwork collection and gallery book by Helen Birch. Due out 3rd March 2020 from Quarto on their White Lion imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in flexibound format.
This is both an inspiration book and (much less so) tutorial or instruction book. It covers a very wide range of artistic styles and subjects. The only common theme is the botanical subject. It includes a helpful picture gallery table of contents as well as an artist index, so readers can concentrate on one artist at a time or the entire smorgasbord of variety which is included.
A short introduction is followed by the gallery of works. Each of the studies has the work on a full page with a *short* info and tips section on the facing page. These explanations include techniques such as medium used and other contrast and style info.
The gallery is followed by a short fundamental tutorial for drawing botanicals: choosing tools and materials, getting started, painting, sketching, and working digitally. The tutorial chapter segues into a short (but fairly useful) bibliography and links for further reading.
This is a well done book showing a very wide variety of rendering techniques. This would be a valuable resource for a student up to professional artist, or as a beautiful art book in its own right. I'm emphatically not a gifted artist, but I found a number of good tips in this compilation.
Five stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
March 7, 2020
This book is absolutely stunning. The pages are filled with gorgeous inspiring artwork and illustrations.
The artwork spans beautiful drawings and paintings of botanical's, flowers, leaves, fruit, and so much more.
The colors are so vivid and compelling it is truly inspirational. However, this is not a how-to book. Each two page spread shows the artwork on one page and the other tells you a little bit about that piece and the artist, along with a tip related to it's creation and the type of medium used. this book mostly contains painted and mixed media art and does not include many drawings but I absolutely love the book anyway.
The examples are just amazing and completed with a very high level of expertise. This book has no step by step tutorials but is worth its weight in gold for inspiration and beauty alone. All of the artwork shown has been created by real and accomplished artists.
It is filled with some great tips and discusses editing on the computer which, was very fascinating and more cutting edge graphic work but highly valuable information.
I loved loved loved this book!!! The layout, the art, the everything!!! I would literally buy this as a conversational piece on display on my coffee table and for friends. I really can't say enough about it. What a joy to read!!!
I received this book from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion Publishing for an honest review. Thank you sooo much this was an incredible read!!!
The artwork spans beautiful drawings and paintings of botanical's, flowers, leaves, fruit, and so much more.
The colors are so vivid and compelling it is truly inspirational. However, this is not a how-to book. Each two page spread shows the artwork on one page and the other tells you a little bit about that piece and the artist, along with a tip related to it's creation and the type of medium used. this book mostly contains painted and mixed media art and does not include many drawings but I absolutely love the book anyway.
The examples are just amazing and completed with a very high level of expertise. This book has no step by step tutorials but is worth its weight in gold for inspiration and beauty alone. All of the artwork shown has been created by real and accomplished artists.
It is filled with some great tips and discusses editing on the computer which, was very fascinating and more cutting edge graphic work but highly valuable information.
I loved loved loved this book!!! The layout, the art, the everything!!! I would literally buy this as a conversational piece on display on my coffee table and for friends. I really can't say enough about it. What a joy to read!!!
I received this book from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion Publishing for an honest review. Thank you sooo much this was an incredible read!!!
February 21, 2020
This is a good book with a poor title. 3 stars for living up to the title, but 4 stars overall if I ignore it.
This is a looking/ideas book, not a "let's draw" book. For one thing, there are more paintings than drawings in this book, so it's more "let's paint" except that most of the paintings are rendered at an intermediate to highly advanced level, and more likely to intimidate than instruct beginning artists. I believe it's part of a series, so I believe this is more a publisher than author issue.
Each 2 page spread has one painting/drawing on the right and on the left is an idea that the painting illustrates. For example, one might say "limited color palette" and then the text below will explain why the painting on the right is a good example of that idea.
The artwork is well chosen and lovely to look at. The artists names are given, making it a good book for finding new botanical artists to look into. I enjoyed looking at the book, and it did provide inspiration, if also at the same time being a bit intimidating, even though I have shown botanical work before in galleries.
I received this book for free for an honest review.
This is a looking/ideas book, not a "let's draw" book. For one thing, there are more paintings than drawings in this book, so it's more "let's paint" except that most of the paintings are rendered at an intermediate to highly advanced level, and more likely to intimidate than instruct beginning artists. I believe it's part of a series, so I believe this is more a publisher than author issue.
Each 2 page spread has one painting/drawing on the right and on the left is an idea that the painting illustrates. For example, one might say "limited color palette" and then the text below will explain why the painting on the right is a good example of that idea.
The artwork is well chosen and lovely to look at. The artists names are given, making it a good book for finding new botanical artists to look into. I enjoyed looking at the book, and it did provide inspiration, if also at the same time being a bit intimidating, even though I have shown botanical work before in galleries.
I received this book for free for an honest review.
January 31, 2021
This is a great, quick little flip-through reference book for botanical art and all the many approaches one can take with it. It's not an instructional book by any means, though it does provide tips and suggestions in relation to each featured piece.
The front of the book contains a great visual index so if you saw a piece of art that interested you during one of your flip-throughs and want to go back to that particular piece again, you can reference the image index to quickly find the artwork.
This book will be staying at my desk where I do my artwork.
If I had any complaints its just that the reds in this print are really flat. That's the problem with producing an art book in four-color process - you're not going to get the full range of color from the original painting that way, especially where cadmium reds were used. However, any other print method to honor the art would have made this book pretty cost-prohibitive.
The front of the book contains a great visual index so if you saw a piece of art that interested you during one of your flip-throughs and want to go back to that particular piece again, you can reference the image index to quickly find the artwork.
This book will be staying at my desk where I do my artwork.
If I had any complaints its just that the reds in this print are really flat. That's the problem with producing an art book in four-color process - you're not going to get the full range of color from the original painting that way, especially where cadmium reds were used. However, any other print method to honor the art would have made this book pretty cost-prohibitive.
June 13, 2021
Presented in a very clean way, the selected pieces stand out in all their beauty and color. I have been in a watercolor school for a few months and appreciating these paintings is very inspiring, as well as how enriching it was to read the Tips for each painting. You can see works with interesting styles of various artistic influences, peculiar looks that capture the light in a subjective and personal way, some with delicate brushstrokes and others with complex composition.
The style that seems most attractive to me is the realistic one, but I really admire the loose wet-on-wet style, with transparent stains that suggest the subject, give it movement and spontaneity. I enjoyed flipping through this book from start to finish, I am a hobbyis enthusiast of contemporary watercolor.
The style that seems most attractive to me is the realistic one, but I really admire the loose wet-on-wet style, with transparent stains that suggest the subject, give it movement and spontaneity. I enjoyed flipping through this book from start to finish, I am a hobbyis enthusiast of contemporary watercolor.
February 5, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.
The botanical prints in this book were beautiful. They were enhanced by the information the author shared about each artist. The information was useful to artists working in watercolor, pencil, mixed media, and pen and ink.
I especially found the ‘tips’ the author shared on each page,the most valuable.
This book would be useful to experienced artists as well as the novice.
This book belongs in your reference library if you are a botanical illustrator, artist or just someone that is interested in the art of nature.
The botanical prints in this book were beautiful. They were enhanced by the information the author shared about each artist. The information was useful to artists working in watercolor, pencil, mixed media, and pen and ink.
I especially found the ‘tips’ the author shared on each page,the most valuable.
This book would be useful to experienced artists as well as the novice.
This book belongs in your reference library if you are a botanical illustrator, artist or just someone that is interested in the art of nature.
January 31, 2020
This is an illustrated book about how to draw and color botanical works of art. This covers a little bit of history about botanical drawing and it's uses, as well the basics of drawing and watercoloring to capture both light and shadows. It includes lots of colorful works of art to demonstrate the basics of capturing specific subjects. Whether you are wanting to learn to draw and paint, or are just interested in the techniques of how it is done, this is the book for you!
Thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
February 29, 2020
This book is full of beautiful botanical pictures, professional and artistically done; we are told about the techniques used to create each picture, but not how to do the technique.
The plethora of pictures may be inspirational to an artist who needs inspiration of how to create a botanical, as in, what constitutes a botanical; the artist should already be knowledgeable about how to use watercolor/pen and ink/pencils because those techniques are not taught.
I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest opinion.
The plethora of pictures may be inspirational to an artist who needs inspiration of how to create a botanical, as in, what constitutes a botanical; the artist should already be knowledgeable about how to use watercolor/pen and ink/pencils because those techniques are not taught.
I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest opinion.
January 27, 2020
Wow I love this book and, having just finished and submitted a textile course based on botanical subjects, I wish I had had a copy beforehand! The book is beautifully laid out and very well organised. I think the photographic index at the beginning is a great idea to help you quickly find the page you want. The tips on how each image was achieved were fascinating and make me want to collect together my art media and experiment all over again.
March 20, 2020
This was a gorgeous art book. It features botanical illustrations from watercolour to coloured pencils to mixed media. And all of them are gorgeous, but also accompanied by a short text to give you context and how the desired effect was achieved.
What I can say is that this book showed me how you can create art from any source and how botanical illustrations can become so much more than that. I was impressed!
What I can say is that this book showed me how you can create art from any source and how botanical illustrations can become so much more than that. I was impressed!
February 16, 2020
This is fabulous book depicting different artist using various mediums to present some beautiful artwork. each piece is explained in the methods used, including tips and ideas. Much of the botanical material is painted in watercolour and mixed medium with some works in oils, pencil, pen/ink and digital. With one item to each page the are very beautifully presented and inspiring.
March 3, 2020
3.5-4 Stars! Good book if you’re looking for inspiration. This book does give a few tips and a bunch of pictures but it’s not really a step by step teaching book. This is more of a inspiration for botanical painting pictures!
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher and I voluntarily left a review.*
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher and I voluntarily left a review.*
March 6, 2020
While illustrated with beautiful artworks from a number of artists, each with a short description and a tip (technical or creative), and so showcasing various approaches to botanical illustration, it is a pleasant passtime to look at, but in my opinion, not very useful for the beginner or intermediate artist.
March 23, 2020
This is a book of beautiful examples of botanical art, although I would say painted rather than drawn. I'm an amateur artist, and while it inspired me somewhat, it didn't offer a lot in the way of practical help. However, it is nevertheless a worthwhile addition to the artist's bookshelf, for inspirational purposes.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
February 10, 2020
Really beautiful book the descriptions and tips on what methods and types or paints or pens were used were really interesting and helped me try out some new techniques I hadn't used before a really good instructive book for anyone who loves art in nature
September 12, 2024
Este libro me da la impresión de ser un mentor que te da consejos ya digeridos y bien planteados que te ayudan a mejorar tu trabajo de ilustración aparte de los buenísimos ejemplos de artistas que incluye.
December 29, 2024
Love this book. Exquisite photos of an assortment of botanicals painted by a different artist. Tells you what and how they did it with some tips. Not a how to book. I was fortunate to receive it as a gift. A great addition to my art library.
May 7, 2025
Beautiful book
Really enjoyed the art work presented here. Just really an excellent collection of beautifully painted botanical examples. Really very pretty and pleasing to page through.
Really enjoyed the art work presented here. Just really an excellent collection of beautifully painted botanical examples. Really very pretty and pleasing to page through.
February 6, 2024
This isn’t a how to paint book. It’s a collection of paintings and illustrations (botanical) by super talented artists. Love this one.
June 1, 2024
Beautiful
This is a book full of beautiful botanical art. The works are done in a variety of mediums in a wide range of styles.
This is a book full of beautiful botanical art. The works are done in a variety of mediums in a wide range of styles.
July 13, 2024
A beautiful book that will also be a great reference!
June 15, 2020
Just Draw Botanicals is a lovely book, full of pictures, and is aimed at people who can already draw.
It is about working with different mediums, and how to approach drawing plants, flowers and fruit
I really liked the pictures, and I think if you are an artist then it would be helpful for you to read and approach things in a different way.
I'm afraid I don't know enough about art for this to be as useful to me as I feel it would be!
Just Draw Botanicals is to be published on 3rd March 2020, and is available to pre-order on Amazon and on Waterstones . I've found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
You can follow Helen Birch on Twitter or through her blog.
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Quarto (the publishers) for this book.
Check out my GoodReads profile to see more reviews!
It is about working with different mediums, and how to approach drawing plants, flowers and fruit
I really liked the pictures, and I think if you are an artist then it would be helpful for you to read and approach things in a different way.
I'm afraid I don't know enough about art for this to be as useful to me as I feel it would be!
Just Draw Botanicals is to be published on 3rd March 2020, and is available to pre-order on Amazon and on Waterstones . I've found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
You can follow Helen Birch on Twitter or through her blog.
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Quarto (the publishers) for this book.
Check out my GoodReads profile to see more reviews!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews