Draw plants

Lucy T Smith, botanical artist: “To draw a plant from life, start in pencil, using lighter marks at first, closing in on the smaller details once you have the basic shapes in place. Investigate individual elements of your plant; for example, take a flower and pull it apart – understanding the internal structures will help you grasp the external form. Once happy with your drawing, try to match the colours from life. You can erase the pencil underneath a little or not at all.” Lucy’s course, Capturing Seasonal Plants, runs 26-28 April at Clayhill Arts, Somerset. www.clayhillarts.co.uk