ARTICLE : Eleanor Burton – artist

 Botanical illustration – December 2005

Ripogonum scandens Illustration: Eleanor Burton, December 2005 Newsletter.

Botanical illustration is a synthesis of science and art, the idea being to depict clearly all the relevant features of the plant, including as many parts and stages as possible, in an aesthetically pleasing manner.   A good botanical illustration will not only show all the parts of the plant, it will also convey a sense of its character as well.

Botanical illustration has been around in some form or another for centuries, from cave paintings through herbals to illustrated floras.   We are a highly visually oriented species, and “don’t eat that one” carries much more weight when accompanied by a picture.

I have always been able to draw.   When I was in the 7th form my mother (who used to have a student job in the herbarium at the National Museum and who recalls with distaste trying to decipher endless permutations of badly labelled Juncus) took me to meet Nancy Adams, who told me to study botany so I would know what I was looking at.   It was good advice, and I am glad I had the sense to take it.   I find drawing very satisfying, and I am always trying to improve my technique and knowledge, so botanical illustration presents continuing challenges.

I have included a drawing of Ripogonum scandens, supplejack.   While it does show all parts and stages of the plant’s growth, this has made it a very busy drawing and it requires some concentration to separate out all the different parts.   This is not ideal, but frequently happens to botanical illustrations in the interests of getting all the information into a small space.   The juvenile growth stage in particular is difficult to separate out, and the problem is exacerbated here by the plant being large and spreading in its habit.   It would be more comfortable on a piece of paper four times the size!

The parts of the drawing are 1. juvenile growth form; 2. adult branch with fruit; 3. flowers showing minute tepals, large stamens and globose gynoecium (if you look closely, you will see that this part should really be drawn larger); and 4. climbing stem with leaves entirely different from those on the adult branch.

Eleanor Burton

 Eleanor Burton – 2004-5 Newsletters

We are grateful to Eleanor Burton for being able to feature some of her line drawings in past issues of the Newsletter.   Some of the recent contributions are illustrated here.

Dec 2004 Newsletter.

Northern Rata.   Illustration: Eleanor Burton, April 2004 Newsletter.

I am lucky – I have always been able to draw, and have always preferred drawing plants because they sit still and don’t complain.   I remember when I was still at College, Mum took me to meet Nancy Adams at the Natural History Unit at the Dominion Museum.   Nancy looked at my drawings and told me to study botany so that I would know what I was looking at.   So I did, and I am still drawing plants.

Eleanor Burton, April 2004

 “Spring Sketching” – September 2004

Black Mamaku.   Illustration: Eleanor Burton. Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, “Spring Sketching” event.

On 18th September 2004 a “Spring Sketching” event was held at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.   Many participants then chose to submit their entries for judging by Sanctuary Educator Maree Limpus, children’s workshop tutors Miranda Jackson and Hayley Robertson, adult workshop tutor Mark Hill and Sanctuary Visitor Centre Host Susan Cunningham.   This entry by Eleanor Burton was given a ‘notable’ mention.   “Fantastic Forest – Black Mamaku” by Eleanor Burton – Pastel pencil drawing mounted on to card with burgundy frame.

Juvenile pokaka foliage.   Illustration: Eleanor Burton December 2006 newsletter.