KARL BLOSSFELDT: MONUMENTAL BOTANY

THIS IS A RECORDED CLASS

THE CLASS IS AVAILABLE TO WATCH IMMEDIATELY UPON BOOKING

THE RECORDING WILL EXPIRE 11TH MARCH 2026

TAUGHT BY Jo Blaker

Join visual artist Jo Blaker for this week’s practical session exploring composition, form, tone & texture, through close observation we will create intricate miniatures.

Karl Blossfeldt is best known for his iconic photogravures that reveal the architectural magnificence of everyday plants. Nearly 100 years after the publication of his first book Urformen der Kunst (Archetypal Forms of Art, 1929) his work is still prized & celebrated. Blossfeldt’s stunning images provide a rich source of subject matter for drawing. In this class we will take inspiration from Blossfeldt’s eye for detail & explore the potential for drawing that his work presents.

“Plants are a treasure trove of forms — one which is carelessly overlooked only because the scale of shapes fails to catch the eye and sometimes this makes the forms hard to identify. But that is precisely what these photographs are intended to do — to portray diminutive forms on a convenient scale and encourage students to pay them more attention” Karl Blossfeldt

As suggested by this quote, Blossfeldt’s images were initially created as teaching aids. The specimens he chose, & his treatment of them creates a stark clarity of form. His images used magnification to reveal underlying patterns of growth & structure. In his images diminutive plant-forms are shown to possess monumental, architectural qualities.

The exercises in this session will help you pay close attention to the visual qualities of his work such as composition, form, tone & texture. We will work at a small scale, suitable for sketchbooks, as we test varied media & methods of drawing. We will hone in on the exquisite tonal qualities of the images & practice building tone with different drawing media. We will consider the clarity of his photographic images & play with our ability as drawers to edit or abstract.

MATERIALS

Cartridge paper or sketchbook

Drawing pencils (HB - 6B)

Charcoal

Eraser

Pen - filled with Black water-based ink

Wax crayon - Black, White

Brushes (soft/small) & water - or water-filled brush pen

Washi tape (optional)

Water-soluble black crayon (optional)

ABOUT THE TUTOR

Jo Blaker is a visual artist whose holistic drawing practice combines playful material enquiry with a love of observation. Jo draws to see, think, feel & express & shares this practice with people of all ages. Jo holds an MA in Visual Communication from the Royal College of Art & has been teaching for over 15 years. Natural forms, cycles, rhythms & their interconnectedness often inspire Jo’s work on paper & with people. As both a student & ‘teacher’ of drawing Jo’s ongoing exploration is a source for much reflection which she shares throughout her sessions as well as with wider audiences online. Jo is based on the edge of the West Yorkshire Moors, a dramatic landscape which plays a very active role in the ongoing development of her practice.

https://www.joblaker.com/

Instagram: @jo_blaker

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SIGNING IN

Once you have booked your place, you will be able to access information on how to join the event via your Eventbrite "Online Event Page". You can access this by signing into Eventbrite using the email that you booked with.

RECORDING

The recording will be sent out after the event finishes, within 2 hours of the end of the class. Please add londondrawinggroup@gmail.com to your email contacts to ensure you receive the recording as expected.

(Please note that the recording can be viewed once within 7 days)

IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS THEN PLEASE EMAIL: londondrawinggroup@gmail.com

And that's it!

We're really looking forward to you joining us.

Love,

LDG