In this behind the scene's look at the work of the well-known botanical artist, Charlottesville-based Lara Call Gastinger (CLAS '98). Lara started her career with the goal of being a field botanist and after graduating, illustrated over 1,000 plants for "The Flora of Virginia", a botanical reference book. She is also a two-time gold medalist at the Royal Horticultural Society Botanical Art Show in London (2007, 2018).
Lara has maintained a perpetual journal since 2001, documenting Virginia plants in pen and watercolor. She led us through her process and give us a window into her life as an illustrator of the natural world. The event included a moderated Q&A during the live demonstration.
Follow Lara:
Instagram: / laragastinger
Website: www.laracallgastinger.com/
Patreon: / laragastinger
Lara's Materials:
Journals:
Page size should be around 6 x 9, hot press (smooth paper) and heavy weight paper. Not spiral bound.
- Stillman & Birn Zeta series
- Etsy - wondercabin shop - my custom journal made by Lindsay Mears
- Strathmore 500 series
Tools:
- Micron pen (size 005, 003)
- Portable watercolor set (Beam paints, Art toolkit, Woodward&Father, Winsor&Newton, Schmincke)
- Waterbrush (Niji)