Floribunda: Exploring your subject matter using drawing and painting techniques

[@lorrainerobertson338]

THANK YOU Liz! I have been trying to create a body of work with the theme of insects. After viewing this way of working I am now off to a flying start with preliminary works. I can’t wait to go further.

[@LizAckerley]

Hi Lorraine thanks for your comments- I’m so glad that this video was so helpful. In my channel I share lots of ways that I try to capture my subject matter ( look at other videos in my sketchbooks and location playlists) and it would seem that these could be readily applied to your insects project. Good luck with it.

[@cziłałakart]

Wow, I love this. It's so inspiring it's almost overwhelming thank you!

[@LizAckerley]

You are welcome.

[@wendybaileypr]

Wow ! Just watched this and am mesmerised by the techniques and exercises. Thank you x x

[@LizAckerley]

Thanks Wendy I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheDabshear]

I love that you are committed to life long learning. We sometimes need a jolt to break out of our comfort zone and this is truly inspiring!

[@LizAckerley]

Thank you!- I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@susanpriestart]

I am working with wild flowers at the moment liz, this has really helped me, because I am really into charcoal at the moment, I’ve been walking through meadows etc and am really wanting to bring these out, so thank you x

[@LizAckerley]

Great Susan I’m glad this video is helpful. Enjoy your wandering! x

[@christineatkinson6665]

Thank you Liz for this personal "take" on how you've developed your experience of Emily Ball's Floribunda course, and more importantly how you're adapting the process to the seasons. So once again, you've inspired me to get on with that project, not being discouraged by the lack of summer blooms, but using whatever wild material is available right now...sticks, seed heads, new buds etc. Thank you for sharing your great enthusiasm.

[@LizAckerley]

You are very welcome Christine. Thank you for your message and I am glad it has been helpful - yes!- whatever is available right now - that’s the key .

[@susanpriestart]

I absolutely love your work liz thank you so much x❤

[@gillsartspot-gillallennzartist]

Thank you for sharing Liz - loving the freshness of this work.

[@LizAckerley]

Thanks Gill I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@AkshayAmeria]

Very helpful video. Thanks for sharing.

[@LizAckerley]

You are welcome !

[@leilaskye8143]

I'm back again here Liz thinking about my exploration of the local landscape. I'm beginning to explore how I can intergrate material with the subject in the back of my mind. So far its representative and need to push my bounderies. I keep going back to this inspirational video using the steps you take towards abstracting and subtracting. I still love equally the transparency of watercolour and heavier materials. So back to play and quick sketches. Thank you.

[@LizAckerley]

You are welcome. I’m glad it’s helpful.

[@johnmawer253]

Love the freshness of the work and the music is so appropriate.

[@LizAckerley]

Thanks so much for commenting John. I am so sorry not to respond until now. I only saw your comment by chance when I was coming to the video as I didn't receive a notification.

[@johnmawer253]

@@LizAckerley Don’t worry about it. I wasn’t really expecting a response. Just wanted to encourage people to watch it.

[@LizAckerley]

@@johnmawer253 and this time I was notified of your comment! Thank you!

[@leilaskye8143]

You have inspired me to prepare my constertina book for my visit to the bluebell wood. Looking at Janettes workshop on flowers and the conversations here , I feel I'm only at the beginning of my journey. How intriguing....

[@LizAckerley]

That’s brilliant Leila!- enjoy your explorations!

[@ViolettaBorigard]

Really cool! ❤❤

[@LizAckerley]

Thank you!

[@pamelaharrison4843]

I love the b&w drawings. Such varied mark making. I feel inspired to collect some wild flowers and have a go. Thanks.

[@LizAckerley]

Pamela Harrison brilliant do have a go- it’s a lot of fun to do.

[@nicolabishop996]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@LizAckerley]

You are very welcome.

[@maieyanni1473]

Thank you Liz for this wonderfully inspiring video, any chance that you will be running your own Floribunda online workshop soon ? I think you would be magnificent at it !

[@LizAckerley]

Thank you- I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Ha no not a floribunda workshop but I am developing another online course focusing on sketchbooks.

[@maieyanni1473]

I look forward to hearing all about it. I am on your mailing list, is that how you will make the announcement ?

[@LizAckerley]

@@maieyanni1473 yes I’ll keep you informed there mostly. Other social media but my newsletter is the best way.

[@christinebarone2151]

Gorgeous

[@LizAckerley]

Thank you

[@GilliBryan]

Lovely work as always 😊

[@LizAckerley]

Thanks Gilli I enjoyed the course but want to make sure I take away some lessons for future work!

[@susanpriestart]

Painting for me may be a different thing x❤

[@susanpriestart]

Are you able to mix charcoal back grounds with water color and ink and other mediums x

[@LizAckerley]

Sorry I didn't see this comment before. I think the problem with that would be that you would make a bit of a muddy mess. Practically, it could be done, but I'm not sure the results would be great! x. Suppose it depends what your intention was. x

[@magdalenastonesart]

Inspiring stuff, Liz... the paintings and the drawings. I love Emily's approach to working. Have you read her book on drawing & painting the figure? From memory, I think much of it could be applied to any subject. One of my favourite books! Do you feel you've learned things that you'll be able to take into your own subjects?

[@LizAckerley]

Magdalena Stones Art hi Mags and thank you for responding. Yes I do have the book but need to go back and reread it. Yes I feel her approaches are very applicable to my landscape subjects. In fact the video I have just posted uses her quick 3 minute approach but out in the landscape using simple mark making

[@magdalenastonesart]

@@LizAckerley Ooh, I'll head over and watch that now!

[@mandyowen1808]

So different from your other work. Thank you.

[@LizAckerley]

Thanks Mandy - that’s interesting because aside from the fact that I don’t often draw flowers ( although definitely interested in more hedgerow work!) , this feels more like me than ever! Thanks for commenting and I hope you enjoyed.

[@mandyowen1808]

I could see that it gripped you. How fulfilling it must be to be able to do painting after painting and have the room to display it so you can see your good/intetesting/off marks. Keep uploading x

[@LizAckerley]

Thanks Mandy, I will! x

[@pamelaharrison4843]

What paint are you using, Liz?

[@LizAckerley]

Pamela Harrison hi Pamela this is done using system 3 acrylics.

[@lindaellis9349]

Great stuff Liz!! Is this in your studio or actually at Emily's? I'm going to sign up for this online course..flowers are my thing.. may I ask what that beautiful fat brush is please. Thanks for sharing 💕

[@LizAckerley]

This is my studio - it’s my Woodend mill studio and the course is online. The fat brush is actually a decorating brush from a diy store

[@LizAckerley]

Hope that helps Linda - I think the brush is from B&Q - they work really well and there are different sizes ( I may well get more!)

[@lindaellis9349]

Thank you Liz.... I'll add the brush to my list .....waiting to be free of shielding here in Wales!

[@LizAckerley]

Linda oh do take care and I wonder if you could order online?