Botanical Illustration Classes
Courses are designed to provide a thorough foundation in the classical approaches and disciplines of botanical illustration. Arranged in a series format, courses are structured for students pursuing the Garden Education Certificate in Botanical Illustration. Courses must be taken in sequence as listed in the curriculum, and courses in the series after the introductory drawing courses are open only to certificate students, unless otherwise noted. Pre-requisites are listed under individual course descriptions.
We are excited to announce that new entry into the program will resume in 2025! Program details will be available by mid-2025, but introductory classes for the new program are a part of the Winter/Spring 2025 course catalog. We are offering 2 sections of Botanical Art History – Becoming Part of an Enduring Tradition and 2 sections of Introduction to Botanical Drawing I. Both classes are required Core classes in the new curriculum and Introduction to Botanical Drawing 1 is the required introductory drawing class needed to begin your journey in the program.
Looking for additional drawing and painting courses open to non-certificate students? Check out Art in the Garden.
Classes are offered in-person, as synchronous (live) online programs, or using hybrid methods with both in-person and virtual content. Class delivery methods are denoted next to each listing as VIRTUAL, IN-PERSON, or HYBRID.
Class Schedule December 2024 – April 2025
Botanical Illustration Workshop: Focus on Fungi | December 14 | IN-PERSON
Although no longer considered formally to be members of the plant kingdom, fungi make fascinating subjects for botanical illustrators. The class opens with a session to help you understand the structure of these distinctive organisms through lecture and observation under the guidance of botanist John Hayden. Descriptive morphological terms and scientific names are discussed and used. The illustration session, coordinated by Sheila Hayden, is devoted to graphite illustrations of fungi related to the morning’s discussion. Emphasis is placed on observation, accurate representation of details, and labeling. Instructors: John Hayden and Sheila Hayden
Prerequisite: Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration or equivalent coursework.
DRAWING WORKSHOP SERIES WITH INTERNATIONAL ARTIST ROGÉRIO LUPO
Explore various drawing techniques through virtual workshops with award-winner, scientific illustrator and artist Rogério Lupo, who will teach from Brazil. Each course includes drawing demonstrations of the various skills discussed. Students enrolled in the Garden’s Botanical Illustration certificate program will earn elective credit.
NEW! Translating Colors into Grayscale Values | January 15, 22, 29, February 5 | VIRTUAL
There is great appeal in all black & white drawings, but although colors get suppressed, their tonal values can and should still be faithfully represented in botanical art. The result of such an endeavor is surprisingly enchanting, although the process is sometimes quite challenging. This course aims to navigate those challenges and explore logical and easier ways to observe, perceive, compare, and represent all values to achieve a harmonious and precise outcome, eliminating noise or confusion in the cognition of visual information. In this process, colors restricted to their tonal values contribute to conveying an enhanced sense of realism. We will explore methods of representation mainly using graphite or gray colored pencils on white and toned paper, but the principles to be taught apply to any other black & white technique like pen & ink, scratchboard, engraving, ink wash, etc.
NEW! Multicolored and Pattern-colored Objects Rendered in Colored Pencils | February 26, March 5, 12, 19 | VIRTUAL
Different colors in the same object make it so exuberant that their appeal can easily catch the viewer’s attention, hence the subtle shades and volume can often be bypassed or missed. Besides, the profusion of visual information is at times so overwhelming that the artist may get confused as to how to start. To clarify and make these issues simpler, this course provides a logical examination of the object through a step-by-step process that eliminates the perceptual noise, focusing on one aspect at a time. This procedure evolves in degrees, starting with the rendition of the most evident traits and gradually progressing toward the most complex and subtle. We will employ colored pencils (water or oil/wax-based, according to each student’s preference) on white and toned paper.
Pen & Ink for Botanical Illustration | January 18, 25, February 1, 8 | IN-PERSON
This course builds on the skills learned in intermediate graphite drawing for botanical illustration. Using shapes and basic pen and ink techniques, we explore the art of representing form with line. Class activities improve observational skills, line quality, and three-dimensional drawing (e.g. surface contours). In addition to learning pen and ink techniques, students also acquire critical thinking skills and complete a botanical drawing. As a reminder, dip pens and crow quill pens are not used in this class, they are learned in the advanced pen and ink class after students have gained practical experience with rendering forms. Instructor: Stephey Baker
Prerequisite: Intermediate Drawing for Botanical Illustration
Colored Pencil II | January 27, 29, February 3, 5 | IN-PERSON
Develop your skills as we explore more advanced layering and blending, effects of various solvents, and substrates, and the creation of texture and atmospheric effects. In particular, you will practice layering colored pencil and watercolor to bring your subjects to life. Once you have explored and practiced techniques, you’ll choose which techniques to incorporate in a multi-layered finished work. Prerequisite: Colored Pencil I or equivalent class approved in advance by the instructor. Instructor: Gail Goodrich Harwood
Prerequisite: Colored Pencil I
NEW! Botanical Art History – Becoming Part of an Enduring Tradition | February 19 OR March 15 | IN-PERSON
Explore the beautiful and intriguing history of botanical art! Join us for this 3-hour session, designed for art lovers and current and prospective Botanical Illustration certificate students. Learn about what it means to become a part of the enduring tradition of botanical art and illustration. Discover Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s library collections and archival resources, along with how to access those resources to enhance your botanical art journey and add impact to required and elective certificate coursework. View artwork and resources first-hand through a guided library tour. Instructors: Gail Goodrich Harwood, Betsy Lyon and Ann-Marie Parrish
Prerequisites: None
NEW! Produce Aisle Botany for Botanical Illustration | February 20, 27 | IN-PERSON
Explore the botanical structure and artistic potential of common food items from the produce aisle of a grocery store. The first session will focus on foods that come from the soil, i.e., modified roots or rootstocks. The second session will address fruits, definable as any food item that encloses seeds. Each session will include pertinent botanical information and ample time for drawing and painting. Students are asked to bring their own plant materials to each session as the subject for a watercolor painting; a list of suggested possible produce items will be provided to registrants. Instructors: John & Sheila Hayden
Prerequisite: Introduction to Watercolor for Botanical Illustration.
NEW! Introduction to Botanical Drawing I | March 29, April 5, 12, 26 OR April 10, 17, 24, May 8 | IN-PERSON
This class is designed to provide foundational drawing skills and inspire a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world. Any age can learn to draw. Marks on paper are all a drawing is. Marks can be made on paper by anyone. Despite this, not everyone takes the time to learn how to draw. It isn’t easy to develop drawing skills without spending a lot of time drawing. This class provides time, motivation and inspiration for you to draw. Learn to think like an artist, get curious, ask questions, and play— all while learning how to draw. We start with an overview of botanical art and learn about the benefits drawing provides for the brain and our physiology. Drawing habits and dealing with the inner critic are also discussed. Using pencil marks on paper, participants explore sketchbook work, basic line qualities, light on forms, and transforming reality into three-dimensional illusions. Sketching, contour drawing, negative space, and measured drawing are also covered. Instructors: Claudette & Stephey Baker
Prerequisite: None
ART IN THE GARDEN SUPPORTING WORKSHOPS
These drawing workshops provide excellent foundational skills prior to Introduction to Botanical Drawing I.
Introduction to Basic Drawing | February 21 OR February 22 OR March 8 | IN-PERSON
Discover your artistic potential and ignite your passion for drawing with our Introduction to Basic Drawing workshop! Learn to turn a simple line into a three-dimensional drawing with pencil and paper, and embark on a journey of self-expression and artistic growth. Play with different mark-making techniques and learn how to integrate basic elements of art like shape, space and form into your drawing. When you draw regularly, you can improve your brain function, enhance your memory and calm your mind, improving your physical and mental health. Instructors: Claudette & Stephey Baker
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We adapted a new Garden-wide system as of March 6, 2024. Please create or activate your account the first time you use the system.
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Updated Adult Learning Cancellation Policy
As of April 12, 2024, the Garden has an updated cancellation policy for Adult Learning programs.