23 - 24 August 2025, Beetles in Watercolour, with Anna Voytsekhovich

Learn how to illustrate beetles in watercolour with Anna Voytsekhovich! 

Details:

• Date:        23 - 24 August 2025
  
• Time:        Saturday and Sunday 9.30am - 4.30pm
  
• Address:   NatureArt Lab, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, ACT
• Parking:   Free parking is available at the studio
  
• Food:        Please bring your own lunch and other snacks; coffee and tea is available; Griffith shops also has several cafes within walking distance if you wish to purchase lunch. 
• Pre-Requisites: Some prior drawing and watercolour experience is recommended. 

About the workshop: 

This is a scientific illustration workshop with opportunities to explore the fascinating world of beetles. Learn about their anatomy, ecology and morphology, while mastering watercolour techniques to capture their iridescence and textures. 

Anna will guide you through creating accurate beetle illustrations from initial sketches, how to scale your drawings, what to include in your composition, and then how to transfer these drawings onto paper. Anna will then provide step-by-step guidance on watercolour techniques to produce a beautiful scientifically accurate illustration of a beetle in watercolour.

This is one of NatureArt Lab’s unique art and science courses! Enjoy access to beetle specimens from our natural history collection, as well as access to our reference collection for further studies. 

Materials List: 

• Paints: e.g. Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith watercolour, Sennelier, Koh-I-Noor, White Nights or any other professional watercolours.
  
• Paper: a sketchbook for preliminary drawing and a hot pressed watercolour paper with smooth surface. Any of the following - Arches 300 gsm, Canson Moulin Dy Roy, Canson Heritage, Winsor&Newton, Fabriano or Bockingford.
  
• Palette or a flat white plate for mixing colours.
  Brushes: Sable or synthetic brushes with good points. Preferably no. 00, no.3 or 4 and no.6.
  
• Pencils: 3H, HB and 3B.
  
• Ink pen: Copic, Micron or any other black ink pen (no. 0,1 and 0,05) (OPTIONAL)
  Other minor things: Kneadable eraser, ruler and a clean cotton cloth to wipe your brush.

About the tutor:

Anna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Ecology, and a PhD in Botany. She is a professional scientist, scientific illustrator, award-winning botanical artist and wildlife illustrator, and a member of the Botanical Art Society of Australia and Florilegium Society. She exhibits and takes part in the organization of Australian and international botanical exhibitions. Her artworks and scientific illustrations are well known and very often highly commended during various events and exhibitions (Margaret Flockton Awards 2021, Flora: The Art and Science of the Plant 2019). Anna won the Best in Show Award at the Botanical Artists Society of Australia exhibition in Melbourne in March 2023. Anna currently resides in Sydney and works on a restoration of critically endangered plant communities as a professional Botanist and Bush Regenerator.  

NatureArt Lab Awards:

2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT; and National Finalist Award

Beetle illustrations by Dr. Anna Voytsekhovich