ASBA 2025 - Andreas Hentrich - Cast Shadows in Watercolor

Cast Shadows in Watercolor with Andreas Hentrich

Saturday, October 18, 2025
9am – 4pm

A cast shadow is not normally necessary in botanical illustration. Occasionally, however, the botanical artist wishes to depict his specimen lying on a surface. In this case, it is important to pay as much attention to the cast shadow as to the specimen. This applies in terms of color, intensity and extension. In this class a motif with bean seeds (printed on watercolor paper, Dorée 300g, hot pressed) will be given and we will add the corresponding cast shadows with the help of a photo template. Essentially, it comes down to a technique of careful mixing and glazed blending.

Supplies:

• Set of watercolors: your instructor uses colors from Winsor + Newton: (Winsor Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Winsor Blue (Red Shade), Winsor Blue (Green Shade), Green Gold, Permanent Sap Green, Permanent Rose, Winsor Red, Cadmium Red, Burnt Siena, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Permanent Mauve, Alizarin Crimson, Ivory Black) You can also use your trusted brand with a variety of warm and cool shades.
•  Brushes: Sable hair brushes 0–6 (e.g. Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Brush Round or Blick Studio Sable Brushes, or your favorite brand)
• Watercolor paper hot pressed (4-5 sheets for mixing and testing, e.g. Arches, Fabriano, or your favorite brand)
• Small water containers, cloths