ASBA 2025 - Donnett Vanek - Silverpoint Drawing for the Botanical Artist

Silverpoint Drawing for the Botanical Artist with Donnett Vanek

Friday, October 17, 2025
9am – 4pm

Silverpoint is a traditional medium that has been used for centuries. Join contemporary botanical artist, Donnett Vanek, as she demonstrates techniques in silverpoint for botanical artists. Silverpoint is not about the shiny silver. Silverpoint will patina overtime giving the rendering subtle gradations. That is the beauty of the silverpoint medium. Join Donnett in this workshop to broaden your understanding of how to use the subtle gradations of the silverpoint medium for a successful rendering. Donnett will discuss the differences of working in graphite and silverpoint. Silverpoint techniques of hatching, crosshatching and of linear layering of marks to achieve darks, will be demonstrated and practiced by workshop participants.

Supplies:

• Legion Art Coated Cover Paper - 20"x 26", 270 gsm, One or two sheets. Cut the sheets of paper into 8"x10" rectangles for use in silverpoint techniques Note: to protect surface of the Legion art coated paper that has been cut into 8"x10" sheets, place tracing paper or glassine paper between sheets.
• One 9"x12" tracing paper pad
• Silverpoint drawing tools. What the artist uses: Silverpoint Dual Stylus - available online at Natural Pigments -
• Sterling Silverpoint one in thin (0.9mm) and one in wide(2mm)

Optional supplies:

• Aurum Aluminum Wool Pad
• If interested in trying drybrush watercolor with the silverpoint technique, bring your favorite watercolors and small tip brush. sizes 1/0 or 2/0