About Anchusa officinalis

Part of the "Gmünd 2023" series.
Watercolor on classic vellum (mounted on wood).

Vellum is a traditional material made from animal skin, prepared by hand through a slow and meticulous process to create a beautifully smooth painting surface. Each piece of vellum has its own unique patterns and markings. Its natural translucency enhances the luminosity of the watercolor.

This vellum is imported from one of the last remaining producers, William Cowley in England. They use only animal skins that are byproducts of the meat and leather industry—materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Sold and shipped by Isabel Mischka.

About Isabel Mischka

Born in 1996 in Austria, Isabel Mischka graduated with distinction from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 2019 and received the James & Eve Bennett Trust Fund Award. She is a fellow member of the Society of Botanical Artists, UK.

"Artistically I am often drawn to ordinary plants, trying to capture their subtle and sometimes hidden beauty, which is often overlooked in everyday life. For my paintings I am layering lots of thin, transparent watercolor washes with tiny brushes for maximum detail and radiant colour."