Roses by Rosie Sanders- Book review

Still catching up on posts this week- so many pictures to share with you!

In today's post I would like to share a book that I loved this summer. During this unusual last several months I have purchased several books for my studio. These have been carefully selected to focus on areas that I would like to improve. Many of them deal with mediums or techniques I already use and will hopefully help me make that jump from competent to excellent. I will let you know how it goes.

As many of you know, I have been doing quite a bit of botanical illustration and watercolour over the last few years. Have a look at posts here, here, here, and here to see more about that. Recently I have been noticing how some artists are really good at capturing light and 'glow'. The sun shining through petals or bouncing off of white surfaces. Since I love these effects I have decided to look into them a bit more. Rosie Sanders is really masterful at 'glow'.

This book is set up in a way that allows the reader a lot of chances to relax, enjoy, and learn. It is not a strictly 'how to' book, although she includes a lot of tips. The beginning contains a section on the history of the flower followed by a wealth of information from folklore to usage to meaning.

The artist introduces the us to a few of her sketching techniques, line drawings and quick watercolours.

Very often a sketch is paired with the finished work beside it. This side by side comparison is a good reminder that in our world of Instagram and urban sketching, a finished piece is still valuable and something to be cherished.

Included in the book are both old, faded, wilted flowers and fresh, young, fleshy blooms. I am surprised to say it, but I think my favorite are actually the decaying ones. The colours are so intense.

Next to most of the illustrations Rosie Sanders has included a short story or note, what she thought or wanted out of the picture; what her motivation was while painting it. Reading these notes is like a standing next to her while she flips through her work, pointing things out and elaborating. I found this a wonderfully charming book both as a painter and as lover of flowers and gardens. I can highly recommend it.