Floral Illustration for Couture Interiors with Charlotte Gaunt

Location: Hand & Lock School for Embroidery & Creative Arts, 86 Margaret Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W 8TE
Duration: 2 Day Workshop (10am - 4:30pm each day) 

Over this two-day workshop in botanical illustration, students will focus on the art of observational drawing using pencil, fine pen and ink. Each session will begin with warm-up exercises designed to awaken the eye and spark the imagination before moving into detailed study. Working from a beautiful selection of sweet peas, students will explore the direction of mark and the accuracy of silhouette, paying close attention to the delicate leaf patterns, fine curling tendrils, paper-like petals and strong twisted stems. The emphasis will be on embracing your own natural style and way of seeing, finding enjoyment in the close study of this scented bloom. By the end of the workshop, each student will have created a carefully observed drawing full of character and mark, which can then be developed further in other courses into embroidery and surface embellishment.

• Please check your email address is correct before ordering.
  

• Please read all of the course description information above and the “How the Course Works” information below before booking.
  

• All courses are non-refundable. If you cannot attend, please let us know as soon as possible and we will try to move you to another course.
  

• If you have any questions, please check our FAQs page here.

This course is inspired by the engravings and paintings of Maria Sibylla Merian as well as the rich source of botanical illustration available in the archives at Kew Gardens.

Maria Sibylla Merian was a distinguished 17th-century botanical artist.“An unconventional figure, she is best known for her publication of drawings documenting the natural world of Suriname, which were created with support from her daughters. The strikingly composed pieces are notable for their artistic merit and contribution to natural science and brought her international acclaim” British Museum link: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/animals/maria-sibylla-merian-pioneering-artist-flora-and-fauna

Her works on insect development and the transformation of insects through the process of metamorphosis contributed to the advance of entomology in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

• Mark making – Exploring different ways of creating marks on the page, from light, delicate strokes to bold, expressive lines, to capture both texture and movement.
  

• Directional marks – Using the flow and direction of your marks to follow the natural form of the subject, helping to describe shape, structure and growth.
  

• Three-dimensional shading – Building depth and volume through the careful application of tone, creating the illusion of form and solidity.
  

• Tonal line – Varying the weight and darkness of your line to suggest light and shadow, adding subtlety and interest to the drawing.
  

• Observation – Training the eye to look closely at the subject, noticing fine details and capturing its unique character with accuracy.
• Pen and ink work – Developing control and confidence with fine pens and ink, using them to create precise lines, textures and patterns.
  

• Detailed, accurate silhouettes – Paying close attention to the outline of the subject, ensuring the overall shape is true to life and forms a strong foundation for further detail.

You will be given a full course kit with everything you need to take part. All materials and tools are provided, so you only need to bring yourself.

If you would prefer, you are welcome to bring your own mug for refreshments and your own drawing materials. This is entirely optional and not required for the course.

Charlotte is the creative director of textile and wallpaper company Rediscovered By, a small independent creative studio specialising in the hand made as well as the rediscovery of historical textile techniques. Trained at Goldsmiths University and the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, Charlotte reinterprets historical textile methods for modern interiors. Her work blends history with contemporary design, drawing from nature to create intricate prints and macabre yet beautiful motifs. From foxglove-printed tablecloths to botanical wallpapers with flocked bumblebees, her designs capture nature’s beauty and fragility. Charlotte’s creations have been featured in Homes & Gardens, World of Interiors, Period Living, Tatler, Country Living, The Times and more. Her recent collaboration with Knots Rugs saw her original artworks interpreted into hand-knotted rugs in silk, wool and linen by traditional artisans in Nepal – a perfect example of her respect for heritage and craftsmanship. Charlotte has also worked closely with Gainsborough Weaving and Burghley House, drawing from historic archives to reimagine classic motifs through printed textiles, woven fabrics and embroidery.