New 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 current class schedule here.
- 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 Best will lead 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 1-3, 2010. Margaret Best will show you how to build washes to get the right intensity and how to give value to your subject. She will also teach you how to avoid creating muddy colors and how to avoid destroying your paper through overworking.
- Botanical Art Composition and Final Flower Drawing – October 6, 7, 8, 2010. Final class in a series taught by Margaret Best. Students will apply what they have learned about form, composition, color mixing, and watercolor techniques to create a finished painting.
- Botanical Painting with Anne-Marie Evans – Session #1: February 21-24, 2011; Session #2: February 28 – March 4, 2011. Anne-Marie will teach her five-step approach to botanical painting using a subject direct from the garden. Students may attend both sessions.
- Watercolor with Elaine Searle – March 28-31 and April 1, 2011. In this five-day class, Elaine will teach students how to compose a painting and how to capture those inspiring details. Visit PaintBotanical.com to learn more about Elaine.
- Watercolor on Vellum with Elaine Searle – April 4-5, 2011. Take on the challenge of painting on vellum. Elaine is one of the few artists who teaches how to paint on vellum.
ArtPlantae Today 
I am interested in signing up for the October,2010 classes. However, I have not taken any of the previous classes. Would it be best if I started in February. Thank you,
Suzanne
Suzanne,
The October class with Margaret Best is the last class in a year-long series. You may enjoy learning Anne-Marie’s methodical five-step approach to botanical painting when her classes begin in February.