Class Schedule January-April 2023

Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration Tuesday Session | January 24, 31, February 7, 14 IN-PERSON

This class explores drawing materials (papers and pencils), line quality and expressiveness as well as basic aids to drawing (types of rulers, compass and stencils). Students study the basics of proportion, perspective and composition in addition to simple approaches to rendering form with tone. The class works with botanical subjects appropriate to the season. Students complete one or more drawing(s) of a simple botanical subject of their choice, practicing the core concepts taught in the class. Instructors: Hazel Buys, Claudette Baker, and Tom Case

No prerequisites

---

Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration Saturday Session | January 28, February 4, 11, 18 IN-PERSON

This class explores drawing materials (papers and pencils), line quality and expressiveness as well as basic aids to drawing (types of rulers, compass and stencils). Students study the basics of proportion, perspective and composition in addition to simple approaches to rendering form with tone. The class works with botanical subjects appropriate to the season. Students complete one or more drawing(s) of a simple botanical subject of their choice, practicing the core concepts taught in the class. Instructors: Hazel Buys, Claudette Baker, and Tom Case

No prerequisites

---

Advanced Watercolor Workshop: Sepia Techniques for Botanical Illustration | February 21, 23, 28, March 2 IN-PERSON

Sepia allows for the creation of a detailed painting, focusing on structure and form, without the challenge of color matching. Students will continue to hone watercolor techniques and brush skills using sepia to develop form by observing and painting light and shadow while continuing to build experience in watercolor brush techniques such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and dry brush. The classes will also emphasize the observation of detail to create a monochrome work depicting the accurate size and structure of a dry specimen of the students’ choosing. Instructor: Patrice Hobbs

Prerequisite: Intermediate Watercolor

---

Introduction to Pen and Ink | February 25, March 4, 11, 18 IN-PERSON

This class builds on previous knowledge gained from intermediate graphite drawing for botanical illustration. Learn how to render form and value through the simplicity of a mere black line. Focus is given to exercises that promote thinking three-dimensionally (e.g. contour drawing), creative process and using simple techniques such as hatching and stippling (to name a few) —are all rendered with various drawing pens. Instructor: Stephey Baker

Prerequisite: Intermediate Drawing for Botanical Illustration

---

Graphite Techniques: Building on Basics | March 6, 10, 13, 17 IN-PERSON

This course builds and expands on the knowledge learned in Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration. Practice toning the key shapes found in Nature using graphite. Learn how to set up your light source in order to achieve the full range of values needed to create three-dimensional form for your subject. Learn to translate colors into black and white, how to enhance the illusion of depth and space in your work and create various textures.  Instructors: Claudette Baker and Stephey Baker

Prerequisite: Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration

---

Intermediate Drawing for Botanical Illustration Tuesday Session | March 28, April 4, 11, 18 IN-PERSON

Continue to explore line quality and expressiveness in this follow-up to “Introduction.” Students continue to develop the basic techniques and knowledge covered in Introduction to Drawing. Complete one or more drawings of a seasonally-appropriate botanical subject of your choice, practicing the core concepts taught in the class. Accuracy of drawing is emphasized as well as artistic expression. Instructors: Hazel Buys and Claudette Baker.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration

---

Intermediate Drawing for Botanical Illustration Saturday Session | April 1, 8, 15, 22 IN-PERSON

Continue to explore line quality and expressiveness in this follow-up to “Introduction.” Students continue to develop the basic techniques and knowledge covered in Introduction to Drawing. Complete one or more drawings of a seasonally-appropriate botanical subject of your choice, practicing the core concepts taught in the class. Accuracy of drawing is emphasized as well as artistic expression. Instructors: Hazel Buys and Claudette Baker.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration

---

Botany for Botanical Illustration | April 29, May 6, 13, 20 IN-PERSON

Botanical illustrators need to be well versed in the intricacies of plant forms. Morning sessions help you learn to understand the structure of flowering plants and conifers and to study and draw a diversity of plant parts under the guidance of a botanist. Students keep an illustrated study journal. Scientific names in botanical illustration are discussed and used. Afternoons are devoted to graphite illustrations of plants related to the morning’s discussion. Emphasis is placed on observation, accurate representation of details, and labeling.  Instructors: Sheila Hayden and Tom Case

Prerequisite: Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration

---

Color Mixing for Botanical Illustration | In-Person May 3, 4, 24 & Independent Virtual May 5-23 HYBRID

It can seem watercolor painting needs only water + watercolor paint. Mix them together, apply to paper with a brush and voila! It’s not quite that simple. It helps when you can identify the physical properties of paints and pigments plus understand how to read paint labels. Learn why all these characteristics–and more–matter to creating a successful botanical painting. The goal is to decode the basics of color theory and mixing watercolor paint with hands-on exercises. Stephey Baker guides you through the process step-by-step. Hone your color mixing skills in a relaxed and inspired environment through creative discussion and testing/evaluating of watercolor paints.

Prerequisite: Intermediate Drawing for Botanical Illustration