ARTIST IN FOCUS: RACHEL RUYSCH
Welcome to Artist in FOCUS, a series of relaxed monthly art sessions exploring an artist's life and work then trying out three exercises based on what we've seen.
At each Artist in FOCUS session you’ll meet a different artist working in painting, printmaking, textiles or sculpture. Together, you’ll look into their story, how they worked and try three short creative exercises inspired by their style. You’ll finish each session with a focused activity to explore on your own, helping you develop your skills and spark new ways of thinking about art.
Perfect for all levels, Artist in FOCUS is for anyone who wants to give art a go, build on their knowledge, explore different techniques and fill their sketch book with fresh ideas.
rachel ruysch 1664 - 1750
This month, we’re looking at the exquisite work of Dutch still-life painter, Rachel Ruysch. Her detailed paintings of plants and insects are absolute masterpieces, but look closer and she reveals nature’s imperfections, highlighting damaged petals and decaying leaves.
Few of us can paint with the realism of Ruysch but we can learn so much from her use of texture, contrast and light.
Rachel Ruysch paintings collage
Image credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org
for this session you'll need:
Sketching pencil (4B)
Charcoal or black chalk pastel
White chalk pastel
Lime green chalk pastel
Bright red chalk pastel
Paper - from your sketchbook or use the back of wallpaper or thick brown packaging paper
Alternatives are offered in the video tutorial.
The idea isn't to go out and buy lots of new stuff (unless, of course, you want an excuse!) but to use what you have and give it a go.
resources used in the video
Google Arts & Culture link
Link to the webpage so you can lose yourself for hours on end, zooming in and out of Rachel Ruysch's painting, Roses, Convulvulus, Poppies and Other Flowers in an Urn on a Stone Ledge.
Images used
You may have difficulty seeing the images in the video so here they are:
Roses, Convolvulus, Poppies, and Other Flowers in an Urn on a Stone Ledge 1680s
Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington
Convolvulus
Image credit: https://pixabay.com
Poppy
Image credit: https://pixabay.com
Flower with ladybird
Image credit: https://pixabay.com
Mallow
Image credit: https://pixabay.com
watch and draw along
Ready to find out about Rachel Ruysch and have a go at drawing what she drew?
Just press PLAY >
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