NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

Hello, little beans.

It's been a while since the last time I posted something in this blog, so you probably do not even remember my name. Well, I'm Nat. And today I'm gonna show you what I usually do when I finally decide to go out.

I remember when my mom bought an encyclopedias set. Geography and Botanics were my favorite ones. I used to spend hours flipping through the pages, learning about plants and pointing places over the maps I promised myself I´d visit some day. I still keep those in my shelf and I would like to read them again. 

Well. A few weeks ago I went to the National Botanical Garden. It was the very first time I visited that place and I decided to film my adventure and draw something springish inspired by the ambient there.

I packed my camera, wallet, sketchbook and pencil case, then took the bus and 30 minutes later I was in front of the NBG.

These first two illustrations (actually sketches for upcoming digitals pieces) were made inspired in the two things that I enjoyed the most there. I visited the Nursery Garden and The Ferns Pavilion.

Also, I was able to visit the Butterflies Pavilion and OMG! many caterpillars and cocoons! I loved that place. (have to point out that when I was a kid I used to fear caterpillars)

I stopped by the Japanese Garden. It´s beautiful!

Finally I decided to sit on the grass, enjoy some sparkling water and draw. 

Notes

The color palette I used for my sketches is basically an interpretation of what saw there. Lots of green, yellowish green, olive and brown. 

I was a little worried about the outlining. I was thinking about using color pencils or black multiliners, but then I tried on the first page with sepia and I fell in love. It matches beautifully with the palette and concept. 

The Gardener illustration (the first one) is a print now. I made a digital version but also filmed the process and it will be on my Youtube channel soon. (and in my shop too) 

The materials I used: Canson Mix Media sketchbook, Faber Castell Color Pencils, Copic Multiliner in sepia, Winsor and Newton watercolor. 

Well, that's all by now. Thank you so much for passing by. See you soon.