Home
Bio
Collections
▪Charcoal
▪Vellum
▪Edges
Vellum
Information
& Classes
Exhibition
Catalogs
Contact
Links
Painting and vellum have a long and
rich history from 8000 BCE, to
the manuscripts
of the Middle
Ages, to botanical paintings by such
artists as Redoute, Ehret, and
Rory
McEwen. The current resurgence
by contemporary botanical artists currently
working
on vellum attests
to its unique beauty and longevity.
Kate begins by selecting a live specimen and then composes the plant in a
way that best expresses the plant's individual and unique
characteristics. She then does a quick gesture sketch on tissue to
determine size and placement. Her specimens are drawn on vellum
with great detail and exactly to scale. Nessler prefers calfskin
vellum for her work because
the surface quality is unique, varied and rich.
Much
care is taken in the selection and preparation of a skin for each painting: the surface
is inspected for color, texture, visible markings, and
distinguishing characteristics before the decision is made as to where on
the skin the painting will be placed. After the drawing is completed,
transparent watercolor is applied in dry brush technique. Fine, light,
pencil-like strokes gradually build color upon color. This slow, methodical
process continues until the
depth of color and detail of the specimen is
completed and the essence of the plant is realized.
