School of Botanical Art & Illustration https://www.botanicgardens.org/education/school-botanical-art-illustration
Introduction to Botanical IllustrationStart at the beginning . If you are pulling from distant memory or drawing for the very first time, this gently paced course is for you . Through carefully explained demonstrations, simple exercises and helpful critiques, you will learn step-by-step how to draw what you see and build the skills required to enter the School of Botanical Art & Illustration with confidence .This course is an elective and is open to everyone . If you are already confident in your drawing ability, please proceed directly to Pencil I (Botanical Illustration) . The course fee does not include materials Tuesdays - August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29th - 5p.m. – 8p.m. MT ONLINE Wednesdays, September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18 ONSITE Pencil 1 - ONSITE This entry-level course is a prerequisite for all required courses . Beginning with an overview of the specific elements of botanical illustration, learn the skills of careful observation and realistic drawing in graphite pencil, including line drawing, shading and perspective . Step-by-step, add techniques to render accurate perspective, texture and detail, and emerge from this class with the tools you need to draw anything from observation. Prerequisites: Introduction to Botanical Illustration or Previous drawing experience Fridays - October 6, 13, 20, November 3 & 10 - 9-12pm MT
Watercolor I - ONLINECombine your drawing skills and knowledge of color mixing to become part of the watercolor botanical color tradition . From flat and graded washes, to highlights and dry brush detail, discover the delight of putting brush and pigment to paper with transparent watercolor . In this course, demonstration and practical exercises guide you to build washes for depth of tone and shading, as well as how to create soft and hard edges. This is a required course for the Botanical Illustration Foundational and Advanced levels . Prerequisites must be completed to register . The course fee does not include materials . Prerequisites: Pencil I (Botanical Illustration), Color Mixing in Watercolor, Light on Form, Botany for the Botanical Illustrator, Thursdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29th - 1pm-4pm MT
Watercolor Color Mixing - ONSITEThe first step in watercolor painting is mixing colors . In this course, learn about paint properties and choosing pigments to build a system for consistently combining colors and eliminating frustrating trial-and-error . Exercises, demonstrations and discussion show you how to achieve the broadest possible spectrum so you can practice mixing colors to match a variety of plant material . Gain confidence and skills to improve your watercolor techniques . Prerequisites: Pencil 1 Wednesdays, September 20, 27, October 4, 11 and 18th - 9am - Noon MT
Brilliant Butterflies - ONLINEExplore the life cycle of the butterfly as well as its habitats, feeding habits and anatomy . Demonstrations guide students to accurately draw a butterfly in a stylized manner inspired by traditional manuscript illumination . Use mixed media such as watercolor, colored pencil, watercolor pencil, iridescence and pen and ink to create a beautiful butterfly in context. Prerequisites: Pencil 1 Thursdays - September 7. 14. 21. 28, October 5th - 1pm - 4pm MT
Mixed Media: Pen & Ink with Graphite - ONLINEEnhance your pen and ink sketches, botanical art or illustrations using sketching and drawing techniques as you work with ink and graphite together . Encourage creative curiosity in your sketches or drawings as you discover a variety of wet and dry graphite media through demonstrations and exercises . This class is designed for both the curious beginner as well as the seasoned illustrator. Prerequisites: None Wednesdays - December 6 & 13th - 9am - 2:30pm MT