ArtPlantae Today

Download flyer

Helen Allen is coming to Wellesley!

Helen is the Principal and Diploma Course Director at the Chelsea School of Botanical Art in England. She will visit the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens this summer to teach three courses for artists of all experience levels.

Save these dates on your calendar:

Let’s Get Started
Does the white expanse of a beautiful clean sheet of paper fill you with dread? About this one day course Helen Allen says, “I love to draw, compose and prepare my paper carefully before contemplating adding paint. I will demonstrate throughout the day the methods of careful preparation with no fuss, therefore no stress. Move from observations into drawings on tracing paper to composition and transfer of the drawing to watercolor paper.” While this course is for all artists, Helen also adds, “If you are taking either of the following painting workshops with me this should help you get ahead of the game.” (CBA: non-credit)

Monday, June 22, 2015
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
BAC 15 150X
WCBG Friends Members $135 / Non-Members $170

Dare to Be Different! … and achieve the perfect flower portrait composition
Work through the logical stages of a flower portrait to create the best composition and drawing which should then be a JOY to paint. With Helen Allen as your guide, begin with a review of the drawings you have brought in and a discussion of various ways of recomposing the elements to reach a stunning layout – including how to use aerial perspective effectively. Work on quick tonal drawings to evaluate your composition’s balance of line, form and color. Color notes and checks are essential to really know your combinations work and you won’t be left with MUD! Helen’s demos of techniques and how to maximize the drama in your painting help you to finish the painting with confidence.

Please note: In preparation for this course please bring with you drawings on tracing paper (vellum style) of your chosen plants and the plant you are depicting. We shall be working on a small composition with the constraints of a margin. The finished size should fit into a 12” square small works frame, with or without a mat.

Tuesday, June 23 – Thursday, June 25, 2015
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
BAC 15 150/BAC 15 250
WCBG Friends Members $395 / Non-Members $495

Arthur Harry Church: the Man, the Magnification & the Magic
Arthur Harry Church was an English artist and science teacher who made botanical plates showing enlarged sections of flowers to illustrate floral mechanisms. His use of floral diagrams was integral to his work. Study his methods and finished work with Helen Allen as your guide. Although there will be an opportunity to draw using a microscope, Helen will also have some pre-drawn examples that you may like to trace onto watercolor paper. Precision in drawing is key to this exacting and exciting way of creating an interesting piece that is botanically accurate and aesthetically pleasing. (CBA: half elective) Plan your piece within the constraints of a 12” square small works frame, with or without a mat. Your color work will involve working with watercolor in a flat way but showing detail.

Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, June 28, 2015
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
BAC 15 151i
WCBG Friends Members $265 / Non-Members $330

To register for a class, contact wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu or call (781) 283-3094

This information has been added to Classes Near You > Massachusetts.

Related
Hellen Allen discusses traditional and contemporary approaches to botanical art