This workshop, organised by the Chilco Foundation, is open to both Chilean and international students. The course will be taught by Işık Güner, one of the talented Turkish artists who painted many of the watercolours for the acclaimed book Plants from the Woods and Forests of Chile.
We invite you to the 2024 residency at the Ko-Panqui Cultural Artistic Organisation, located in the town of Curarrehue in the Araucanía region, 38 km from Pucón.
The workshop runs for four full days, from Monday 25 November to Thursday 28 November 2024. The venue has all the amenities needed to make this an extraordinary experience, with accommodation and meals included. Its proximity to local forests will allow us to take walks and excursions to learn about the native flora, which will serve as the reference material for our workshop projects.
Language: English
Prerequisites: Basic watercolour knowledge required
Materials: Not included
Location
The Ko-Panqui Cultural Artistic Organisation was established in 2016 around the management of Espacio Arte Ko-Panqui. Its work focuses on artistic residency projects for the research, experimentation, creation and exhibition of multidisciplinary cultural works, as well as fostering connections with the local community and promoting local expressions and imaginaries.
Located in the Panqui Valley in the commune of Curarrehue, its curatorial approach seeks to celebrate local and regional multiculturalism, foster cultural exchange, and play a meaningful role in the service of ecology and environmental protection.
Classes
Classes will demonstrate the different watercolour techniques used in botanical illustration, using plant material collected by participants in the forests, hills and meadows. We will explore this unique ecosystem in the company of a local botanist, learning about the plants and gathering wild specimens from which to prepare watercolour sketches. You will also benefit from Işık's extensive experience working in the field — she will share many practical tips and professional insights along the way.
Over the course of these days you will learn drawing techniques and how to build up watercolour in layers. Işık will demonstrate how her techniques and skills are applied to depict these beautiful plants and achieve precise, representative paintings. The workshop is designed to further develop your abilities in composition, drawing, colour, perspective and tone, with the aim of producing high-quality botanical illustrations.
The class is limited to 10 students and takes place in a welcoming studio-classroom in a stunning setting, surrounded by the forests of Araucanía. Each student will have their own workspace with personalised tuition throughout the course, alongside group demonstrations.
Programme
Day 1 — 24 November: Arrival in Curarrehue / Welcome dinner
Day 2 — 25 November: Half-day exploring the area and collecting specimens; return to the studio for first drawings
Day 3 — 26 November: Botanical illustration classes in the studio
Day 4 — 27 November: Botanical illustration classes in the studio
Day 5 — 28 November: Botanical illustration classes; review of final works / Departure after lunch
Cost
The workshop fee is CLP $985,000 per person. Please note that all rooms accommodate three people and have a shared bathroom.
Included:
Return transport from the airport (or from the town of Pucón) to the workshop venue in Curarrehue
Accommodation, studio space and all meals from Sunday 24 November (dinner) through Thursday 28 November (lunch)
Three meals per day: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Not included:
Insurance
Transport to/from your home to Puerto Montt
Art materials
How to Apply
Applications are now open. For more information and to apply, please contact: contacto@fundacionchilco.cl
Payment
A 50% deposit is required to secure your place
The remaining 50% must be transferred by 21 October (before the workshop)
Accepted payment method: bank transfer (details will be provided upon approval)
Credit card payments will incur an additional fee
Recommended Materials
Drawing pencils (2H, HB, 2B, 4B)
Propelling pencil (with 0.35 point 2H, HB lead)
Divider
Eraser and Putty rubber
Sharpener
Ruler (if possible)
Tracing paper
Sketching paper (smooth cartridge paper or pad, 120–160 gsm, A4 or A3)
Watercolour sable brushes (sizes 4, 3 and 2; a selection of finer brushes for detail work, Winsor & Newton Series 7 recommended, though any preferred brand is suitable)
Palette
Watercolour pigments (Winsor & Newton Artist's Value recommended, though any preferred brand is suitable. Suggested colours: Indigo, Payne’s Gray, French Ultramarine, Winsor Blue (green shade), Perylene Maroon, Winsor Red, Winsor purple, Permanent Rose, Cadmium Lemon, Green Gold, Sepia)
Watercolour papers (minimum 300 gsm, hot pressed, 100% cotton recommended, A3 or A4, *Cold press papers are not suitable for this course)
Drawing board (if possible)
