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Archive for the ‘drawing’ Category

Reveal Nature’s Forms and Optimize Your Colors

Posted in botanical art, drawing, Education, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Events on May 8, 2013|

Summer classes with artist Susan T. Fisher have been announced at Wellesley College Botanic Gardens in Wellesley, MA.

Here is the latest at Classes Near You > Massachusetts.

Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens
Certificate Program in Botanical Art and Illustration
www.wellesley.edu/wcbgfriends
This program offers several weekly and two- or three-day classes on botanical art and scientific illustration with Sarah Roche and Jeanne Kunze and and visiting instructors. The courses offered through this program cover all aspects of botanical art. Here is a peek at the 2012-2013 schedule:

Graphite Fundamentals: Basic Drawing Skills
Learning Botany by Drawing
Leaves 101
Plant Painting for the Petrified
Photoshop Demystified
Extreme Lumps and Bumps
smART Business
Colored Pencil Fundamentals

Summer 2013 Classes
Don’t miss these summer classes with visiting artist, Susan T. Fisher!

Turn on the Lights!

Optimizing Colors in Botanical Paintings
Tuesday, July 30 – Thursday, August 1, 2013
9:30 AM – 3:30 PM BAC 14 114
You understand how to mix color, now focus on a systematic method for manipulating color to create your vision. How do you optimize color mixtures in your botanical watercolors? Do you use washes or glazes? Do you mix colors on the paper or on the palette? When you need to make adjustments what do you adjust first – value, hue or chroma?

Increase your ability to make good color choices for different painting situations in a series of fun exercises with Susan Fisher. Learn to anticipate drying shifts and how they affect your work. Recognize various lighting aspects and see how they encourage or derail color choices. Focus on the challenging qualities of plant/vegetable specimens to practice color-mixing possibilities. A selection of watercolor exercises will guide students in the skillful use of warm or cool; light or dark; vivid or neutral colors; and related darks in botanical paintings. Although minimal drawing is needed, some watercolor experience mixing colors is required. Cost: WCBG Friends Members $350 / Non-Members $440

To register: email: wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu or call (781) 283-3094

Learn more about Wellesley’s certificate program.
View current schedule

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Drawing & Learning in 1861

Posted in botany, drawing, Teaching & Learning on May 3, 2013|

Teach a person to see any one thing, just as it is, in form and color, and as it stands related to other objects around, and you accomplish much.

— Lewis P. Clover (1861)

As Marianne North painted habitat studies, plant portraits and botanical still life paintings while traveling the world, she had an educational objective in mind. Because she was alarmed at how little people knew about plants, North drew and painted plants so that others could learn about them.

Learning about nature and the world through the drawing process is the subject of a presentation Lewis P. Clover made to the State Teachers’ Institute in Quincy, Illinois in 1860. His presentation was reprinted in The Crayon in 1861 and it is this reprint we’ll take a look at today.

An advocate for “educating the eye” (Clover, 1861), Clover makes a case for drawing to become a core requirement in all schools. He makes his case in Drawing, as Connected with the Common and Higher Pursuits of Life.

Clover (1861) argues that there is not a pursuit in life that does not benefit from the act of drawing. He explains how botanists, geologists, machinists, physicians, carpenters, builders, architects, mechanics and even lawyers can benefit from knowing how to present information visually. He also argues that anyone can learn the principles of drawing, learn how to measure distances between objects, and learn to see (and appreciate) nature in a new way.

In his paper, Clover agrees with philosopher John Locke and states that drawing instruction in the school system should not be about creating master artists. It should instead be about equipping students with the skills to “represent tolerably on paper anything (one) sees.” (Locke, as quoted in Clover, 1861).

Clover argues that students need to be taught to see and to learn through drawing so they can have “awakened thoughts” (Clover, 1861) about the world and other things that would otherwise go unnoticed. Clover’s plea to teachers is best summarized in this statement:

Make drawing a branch of study in the schools, and you adopt the most successful mode of teaching pupils to discriminate.

— Lewis P. Clover (1861)

To get a copy of Clover (1861), search the stacks at your local college library.

Literature Cited
Clover, Lewis P. 1861. Drawing, as connected with the common and higher pursuits of life. The Crayon. 8(4): 73-77

More About Marianne North
This month we will learn more about Marianne North from featured scholar,
Katie Zimmerman. We’ll learn about North’s work and her contributions to botany. I hope you take advantage of the opportunity to learn from Katie directly and to ask her questions.

Join the conversation

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Jewelry Artists Inspired by Plants

Posted in botanical art, drawing, Education, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Events on April 30, 2013|

Yuka Saito’s Spores Brooch and its plant life inspiration. Image courtesy of Peninsula School of Art.

The Nature of Jewelry: Botanical Design & Symbols
Peninsula School of Art
Fish Creek, WI
April 19 – July 13, 2013

Inspiration from plant life provides both lyrical and geometric design possibilities for 29 notable jewelry artists from throughout the United States, Ireland and Canada. Representing a range of today’s media and techniques, some of the works are also symbolic of the human experience – growth, femininity or even life itself. Artists display a sampling of process drawings and reference materials to trace the creative process for their works. A retrospective of the jewelry of master silversmith and Peninsula School of Art instructor, Sylvia Youell, is also part of this exhibition.

The variety of work presented in The Nature of Jewelry is indicated by the following partial listing of artists: Paulette Werger (metals), Jeffrey Lloyd Dever (polymer clay), Sabrina Meyns (handmade paper and metal), Yuka Saito (polypropylene), and Annie Pennington (mixed media).

There will also be a representation of the jewelry created from real plant life from the Philadelphia Flower Show by Jane Kilduff.

View a slide show about this exhibition and download an exhibition catalog and a poster at the Peninsula School of Art.

Among the media that Sarah Hood uses to create her jewelry is model railroad landscape materials. Image courtesy of Peninsula School of Art.

Jeffrey Lloyd Dever polymer clay jewelry. Image courtesy of Peninsula School of Art.

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Journals, Landscapes, Butterflies and Hints of an Expedition at North Cascades Basecamp

Posted in botanical art, drawing, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities, Sketching & Journaling on April 16, 2013|

Ready for Summer in the Cascades?
Here is the latest update at Classes Near You > Washington:

North Cascades Basecamp, Mazama
www.NorthCascadesBasecamp.com
A bed-and-breakfast style lodge surrounded by acres of protected cedar forest, the North Cascades Basecamp serves as a homebase for outdoor adventures such as hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing and a host of other activities offered through the camp’s Ecology Center. Biologists Kim and Steve Bondi purchased the recreation center in 2010 and created the Ecology Center to offer learning opportunities for guests. Visit the website to view the entire course schedule.

Nature in Art and Science: A Field Journaling~Naturalist Workshop with Hannah Hinchman and Bruce Thompson

View Details/Register

The Art and Science of Nature Presentation by Hannah Hinchman
May 24
Cost: $5/person
Register at 509/996-2334 or info@northcascadesbasecamp.com

Painting Balsamroot Landscapes with John Adams
June 15, 2013
10 AM – 2 PM
Learn techniques to paint the beautiful landscape at North Cascades Basecamp. John Adams will demonstrate techniques and discuss composition and color. Cost: $40/person. View Details/Register

Treasured Landscapes of the Methow Valley
Monday, July 29 – Thursday, August 1, 2013
US Forest Service, National Forest Foundation, and the North Cascades Basecamp
Daily outings all week to exploration, educate, and participate in hands-on learning projects where you will learn from experts in the field about the North Cascades Ecosystem. Projects include : beavers, wolverines, wildflowers, and native plant restoration. Be a part of the Treasured Landscape Initiative to restore and revitalize this amazing landscape.
Register at 509/996-2334 or info@northcascadesbasecamp.com.

Monarchs in the Pacific Northwest Presentation
by Robert Michael Pyle
August 16, 2013
Cost: $5/person
Register at 509/996-2334 or info@northcascadesbasecamp.com

Butterflies of the North Cascades Workshop
with Robert Michael Pyle
August 16-18, 2013
Explore high valleys, slopes, meadows, and peaks of the North Cascades seeking butterflies. Discover how to find, harmlessly detain, identify, and learn about their lifeways, needs, and natural history. Cost: $225 Locals Rate includes partial meals; $385 shared lodging and 6 meals. Clock hours: 8. View Details/Register

Plein Air Watercolor Retreat with Maria Coryell-Martin
September 6-8, 2013
Explore the summer landscape of the Methow Valley with expeditionary artist Maria Coryell-Martin and learn techniques for painting expressive skies, wooded forests, and rocky peaks. Cost: $185 Locals Rate includes partial meals; $345 shared lodging and 6 meals. Clock hours: 8.
View Details/Register

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‘Drawing from Plant Life’ Begins April 15

Posted in botanical art, drawing, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities on March 26, 2013|

Enjoy the spring season and plan ahead to summer. Here is an update to
Classes Near You > England.

Lewisham Arthouse, London
www.lewishamarthouse.co.uk
The Lewisham Arthouse once served as the central library of Deptford. Designed by architect Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas (1868-1948) and funded by Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), this former library is now features a public gallery and studio space for professional artists. Artist studios are open to the public once per year. Exhibitions in the gallery are open to the public year-round, free of charge. Ten-week botanical illustration classes are taught by Alison Day. Watch for information about her next class.

Drawing from Plant Life

This introductory course aims to provide an opportunity to explore the art and science of botanical Illustration. Students will have the opportunity to explore both drawing and painting plants whilst learning a range of graphic techniques used to represent plant material. Some basic theory is taught and where relevant historical and contemporary practice is referenced.

The course is taught by a practicing artist who has a background in the science of botany and the practice of fine art.

Students are asked to bring their own ideas and specimens to the course. Basic materials and reference literature are provided, students must provide their own sketchbook pencils and colours.
All are welcome, no experience needed.

This is a small class and provides a supportive and relaxed environment in which to draw. Places are limited so booking is required. Please contact Alison Day.

The Lewisham Arthouse is located at 140 Lewisham Way, New Cross, SE14 6PD.

Transport: BR/overground. New cross/New Cross Gate.
Bus 136, 21, 436, 321
Disabled access

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Bush Skills, Plants & Botanical Art

Posted in botanical art, botany, drawing, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities on March 20, 2013|

The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC)
www.emrc.org.au
Provides environmental services, waste and recycling services, and other management services in Perth, Australia. Host of Bush Skills for the Hills, free community workshops connecting people to their natural environment. This program includes classes such as:

Native Tree Decline – May 18, 2013; 9:30 am – 12 pm. Learn about keystone species Corymbia calophylla, a woodland and urban tree whose numbers are declining. How will the loss of this tree affect the local ecosystem?
Botanical Drawing – August 3, 2013; 10 am – 12 pm. Learn how to create and maintain a nature journal and how to make observations in the field. For individuals with little or no experience in drawing.
Secret Life of Plants – October 16, 2013; 7-9 pm. Hidden secrets. Interesting characteristics.Learn about the secret life of plants!
Bushtucker Walk – October 19, 2013; 10 am – 12 pm. Learn about food plants and traditional hunting and gathering techniques.
Native Grasses: Walk and Talk – October 26, 2013; 9 am – 12 pm. Lean about local native grasses and how to tell them apart from introduced species.
Native Grasses Advanced – Bring your hand lens and take an in-depth look at native grasses.

View all workshops in the Bush Skills program.

Pre-registration for these free workshops is required. Contact EMRC to register.

This information has also been posted at Classes Near You > Australia.

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Tips & Tools: Proportional or Academic Dividers?

Posted in botanical art, drawing, Education, Learning Opportunities on March 13, 2013| 5 Comments »

Cesieco Deluxe Proportional Divider

A reader asks:

What kind of dividers do you use? Proportional dividers or the academic dividers you can buy at the art supply store? If you own both kinds, do you use one more than the other? Which one is the wisest investment for someone new to botanical art? Thank you.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment box below.