Drawn from the Wild
Drawn from the Wild
A practical guide to making your own foraged art materials
Caroline Ross
Search Press
Introduction
Glancing at this book’s title, I noted the word foraged. Immediately my mind conjured up a mid-forest scene, maybe a truffle hunter or a wood cutter from a long forgotten tale. In other words, I had a definite description and a vision of what foraging was - is. Turing to the inner page, I am wrong. Let me tell you more.
About the author/artist
This artist is quite obviously at one when in nature, She tells of her own days spent mostly outdoors and she teaches from her studio in the south of England. She literally lives her life as she teaches, the same themes explored which basically cover using at hand, natural materials to make art. This is her second title, however the first one will also be hosted in my review collection here online.
What is the books basis?
For me personally, the lockdowns we saw beginning in early 2020 sparked a new way of working. I was at home like the rest of the world and actually, I was thriving. Why? I was allowed to do all the things I had not hand ‘time’ for before; namely presence with my family, appreciation of friends connected in new ways and more time to walk around my area. Yes I am rural, but I could have been living anywhere - it is not the location but how you learn to discover it. This time period saw a high rise in art as a practice, we all needed a new vice or interest. I began teaching much more online and because of this adjustment saw countries I am yet to travel to. The outside was brought in and that is exactly what this book does.
Ross soon points out within her introduction that it is not a ‘rural idyll’ that we have to wait to be brought to, there are other ways, ‘ancient techniques’, ‘easily found natural materials’.
So in short need to know terms, within this title you will learn many techniques using natural materials, to draw and dye and paint without needing to live in a woodland or forest.
Who is the book branded at?
The author herself on page nine tells us that it is ‘accessible’, no matter age or experience. There is a running thread of nature and a need to live for the earth and care for it - so all the methods and ideas are founded upon a seal of care, kindness to the land we trod so well. We are all aware that nature and the outdoors is a healing, we just need to be less picky about what it looks like - what is your own area? Get out there and experience it - that is this book’s message.
Methods and materials mentioned
This title is driven into certain sections which each cover a theme. Moving on from the initial section which covers foraging, I am noting Charcoal, Surface’s to get your work on (think bark and even lessons on making sketchbooks), paint making, inks…..it goes on.
What I will tell you is that this is not about using the pre-made. This about being interested enough to make your own tools, your own paints and inks and then because you’ve had such a story with them already - use them to make art.
One point to consider
I love the universal feel of this book, but it is not for the part time artist - this is for someone who really loves the theme, is passionate about it and can devote time and care to what they do. That is not a put off or a put down of the book itself - just treasure it and use it.
Final thoughts
Please turn to the sketchbook pages from page one hundred and learn to make your own, I know from experience how personal and fulfilling making your own sketchbook can be - so do try it for yourself.
The artist includes other like artists throughout, so there are plenty of examples for visual variety and interest, yet they all marry together.
