Garden Design Newbie

Warren Ely

Hi everyone I would like to study garden design has anyone got any online course providers they have studied with? 

Also I have been driving my own designs but when it comes to colouring it in just doesn't look right I'm a bit of a profectionist which I suppose is a good thing in this field of work. I was wondering do a lot of designers just draw out their work scan it into AutoCAD then colour it in using that software?

I have a set of DERWENT watercolour pencil set but I'm not sure if I'm using them the right way might sound silly but anyone go any advice?

 Just a rough drawing obvouisly my first go lol thanks everyone

Fairygirl

I studied with KLC in London as an open student Warren (about ten years ago) but was unable to finish the course for personal reasons. They often advertise in G's World magazine but they also have a website. I particularly enjoyed the technical drawing - elevations and axonometrics etc.

The watercolour pencils are used like ordinary colouring pencils, then you use a wet paintbrush over them. If you practice different levels of shading on drawings it works really well - gives a nice effect. I liked using them - it takes a little practice but the more you practice the better you get - like most things! If you get a basic sketch pad and just play about with different sketches - of anything- and use different mediums to colour them it will help you enormously. I expect most designers use Autocad but there's nothing like a hand drawn design. I don't have any of my work apart from a sketch pad - if I can find it I'll see if there's any pix that might be of use to you and put them on here. 

Good luck with it all! 

Warren Ely

When I add water feels like its to much

 

Fairygirl

Damp rather then wet Warren. You can always add but you can't take away! Are you using a good quality cartridge paper? It needs to be decent paper or it doesn't work.

X

I started the KLC course as well, it's good for design. Didn't finish it as work took over .  Like Fairygirl I used water colour pencils.

Warren Ely

I think so I got sketch paper lol What sort of quality paper should I be looking for and I have just ordered some http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251323755301?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 and thinking bout getting some markers aswell but not sure what colouring markers I should get thank you both for your input sorry to hear you both couldn't finish your course I found a course Garden Design Level 3

Fairygirl

Sorry for taking so long to reply Warren. I found my sketch book so here are a few pix using watercolour pencil which have then had water applied. I've never used the pens you show on the link- just normal brushes. In the 2nd pic - the sketch on left is pencil and the one on right has water applied so hope you can see difference. Last pic should right itself when you click on it! Hope that might be of some use. You can probably also see teh weight of the paper.it's just a fairly standard sketch book which most art shops would stock.