We are pleased to feature student Tao Barry’s work from our Botanical Coloured Pencil Diploma Course here at the London Art College. Tao has submitted a beautiful sequence of drawings based on a single tulip study, showing her exploration through pen, coloured pencil, and combined media.
Tao shared that this assignment pushed her out of her comfort zone, especially when using pens for the first time. She described early attempts as looking like the flowers were “covered in black fly,” which we found very relatable, pen work can be notoriously tricky, particularly when aiming for botanical accuracy. After experimenting with different flowers, Tao settled on a tulip as her subject and gradually refined her technique.
Her coloured pencil work was created using her favourite Faber-Castell pencils, applying four tones of orange, lemon yellow, and three shades of green. While she initially tried Prismacolors and blending with Zest-It, she ultimately chose a more straightforward approach that suited her style and tools better. The result is a delicate and quietly expressive botanical study, demonstrating clear development across the stages.
About the Course
Our Botanical Coloured Pencil Diploma Course is designed for students who want to develop their observation and coloured pencil techniques specifically for botanical subjects. It covers structure, texture, tone, and layering, all crucial for producing accurate and realistic plant illustrations. No prior experience in botanical art is required, just a keen eye and a willingness to slow down and observe. Throughout the course, students explore a variety of flowers and plants while learning how to work with precision and subtlety.
We would like to congratulate Tao on her perseverance and progress, it’s a lovely example of how pushing through the difficult stages of an assignment can lead to rewarding results.
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