ArtPlantae Today

Updated at Classes Near You > California:

Virginia Robinson Gardens, Beverly Hills
www.robinsongardens.org
Read about the Friends of Robinson Garden Botanical Art Group and the Robinson Garden Florilegium here. Download the 2010 schedule here.

• Watercolor Brush Techniques for Botanical Art – June 8, 9, 10, 2010.
  Basic plant elements such as petals and simple fruits will be selected for understanding the application of washes, glazes, color blending, color layering for increasing intensity. How to build form and shadow while avoiding making muddy colors and overworking the paper surface will be covered as well as wet brush, dry brush and lifting techniques. The class will also focus on brushes and papers best suited to the various techniques required in creating botanical art. Extended topic study and exercises will be provided as homework.
• Botanical Art Composition I – August 4, 5, 6, 2010.
  How to inject strong eye appeal into a botanical art painting is often challenging from subject to subject, no matter how skilled the artist. Margaret will lead the students through exercises designed to train the eye on how to plan and create visually appealing and natural compositions. Traditional compositions and contemporary works will be studied to expand the students awareness of how to influence the viewer. The impact of color placement, areas of dark and light, positive and negative spaces will all be covered.
• How and When to Add Details – September 2010 (Dates TBA).
  How to build washes to get the right intensity and give value to the subject. How “not to” achieve a muddy color and destroy your paper by overworking and when to add the details that give final painting its personality and more.
• Full Flower Painting – November 2010 (Dates TBA)
  Students should have prepared a final detailed drawing for review by Margaret. This will be used for a full and detailed water color study, utilizing all technical elements learned throughout the 2010 program. A special emphasis will be placed on innovative composition and accurate use of color.