Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

We set up to draw inside the humid warmth of Kibble Palace, surrounded by the national tree fern collection (originally planted in the 1880’s impressively) partly as it was quite blowy outside. It was an enjoyable group and people found the two hours was a nice amount of time out of their usual day to focus on sketching.

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

We started with some warm up doodling inspired by the spikes of the cacti and curves of the ferns, then we took some to look at all the plants, their varied hues and textures, noticed their refreshing smell too, and the touch of some leaves.

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

We then continued with a few different types of drawings, each engaging with the shapes or textures of the ferns and plants. Afterwards Blair did another demo looking at the graceful long curving lines of the Kibble architectural space combined with the lush inter tangled plants and tree shapes.

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

Inside the palace there was certainly a palatial feeling of height and grandeur, with the decorative ironwork details, with a really exotic atmosphere and feeling. Folk found some really interesting angles and places to look through between the trees, twisting pillars, the curved light reflectors, and pathways.

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

A couple of drawing compositions looking at the glasshouse ceiling especially had an almost futuristic sci fi feel, which is really testament to the design and construction. Amazing that it was moved here from ferny environs of Loch Long in 1873, maybe it transported itself here like a spaceship?

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

After a wee break for a biscuit and drink we had about an hour to work on a longer piece, and some folk chose to continue some more doodly drawings. There was no feeling of pressure to come up with anything, no grand drawings expected, it was a time to relax and enjoy drawing the surroundings and play around with the materials. There were pencils and pens, as well as different types of paper such as cartridge, sugar paper and coloured paper.

To see past Drawing Group activities, please check the Drawing Group news page.

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens

Drawing in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens