Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Learning Opportunities’ Category

Cylburn Arboretum and the Natural History Society of Maryland will offer natural science illustration workshops this Fall.

See what’s new at Classes Near You > Maryland:


Cylburn Arboretum

http://cylburnassociation.org
The Cylburn Arboretum is the home of a post-Civil War estate built as a summer home for the President of Baltimore Chrome Works and his mother. Now a center for environmental education and horticulture, the Cylburn Arboretum hosts tours, events and activities for children and adults. The botanical art classes at Cylburn are taught by botanical artist, Molly O. Hoopes. Learn more about Molly in the ASBA Members’ Gallery.

  • Botanical Illustration Series – Thursdays, November 3, 10, 17, 2011; 6-9 PM. Traditional watercolor techniques, color theory, composition and plant morphology are the focus of this class. Participants will draw and paint berries, seeds and flowers. Greenhouse Classroom. Cost: $90 members, $120 non-members. To register, contact the Cylburn office at (410) 367-2217.


The Natural History Society of Maryland (NHSM)

http://www.marylandnature.org
Two classes about the plants and pollinators of Maryland will be offered. Classes will be taught at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8 West Overlea Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21206. Contact Linda Davis at (410) 252-4154.

    Botanical Illustration: Native Bees, Butterflies, and Wildflowers of Maryland
    Learn about Maryland’s important pollinators and how to identify them, while practicing traditional watercolor techniques. Participants will learn the traditional techniques of dry brush, wet-in-wet, wet-on-wet, and graded wash, while enhancing their skills of observation. Color theory and composition theory will be discussed. Honeybee morphology will be discussed using specimens from the Natural History Society of Maryland. Learn about pollinators and how they have been affected by climate change, pollution, and habitat loss. Participants have the option to contribute to a collection of watercolor illustrations—a ‘bee-ilegum’—to educate the public about native bees. Some drawing experience is helpful. Everyone is welcome.

    Workshop A (3-hr. classes) – Sundays, November 6, 13, 20 and December 4, 11, 18, 2011; 1-4 PM. Cost: $150, NHSM members; $180 non-members. Drop-in students: $30 per class meeting. Limit: 10 participants.

    Workshop B (4-hr. classes) – Thursdays, November 3, 10, 17 and December 1, 8, 15, 2011; 10 AM – 2 PM. No meeting on Thanksgiving. Cost: $200, NHSM members; $240 non-members. Drop-in students: $40 per class meeting. Limit: 10 participants.

    A reduced rate is available for college students and low-income attendees with a portfolio to show and proof of income. Contact Linda Davis for more information.

    To pay for the class, send a check or money order to:

    The Natural History Society of Maryland
    P.O. Box 18750
    6908 Belair Road
    Baltimore, MD 21206

    Please indicate if you are registering for Workshop A or Workshop B.

Materials List:

  • Kolinsky Sable or Windsor-Newton series 7 brush (or any natural sable brush that can be shaped into a sharp point when wet), size 0 or 00 and size 3 or 4. The larger one is for mixing paints and could be a less expensive style.
  • Palette paper (or paper palette), white plastic or ceramic palette with wells and a lid, if possible
  • Tracing paper or tracing vellum
  • Tubes of lightfast transparent artist-grade watercolors – suggested colors: Ultramarine blue, Cerulean blue, cobalt blue deep, Winsor blue (green shade), lemon yellow, yellow ochre, burnt umber, neutral, cadmium red, alizarin crimson, scarlet lake red
  • Syringe for squirting water
  • Mechanical pencil .005 with F or H leads
  • White eraser
  • Kneaded eraser
  • Any size block of Arches or Fabriano hot press watercolor paper
  • Desk lamp with full-spectrum bulb

Read Full Post »

Judging by the questions received from readers, there is a lot of interest in creating botanical note cards. This month’s group Q&A with the Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists (BSBA) focuses primarily on this topic. Today we’ll learn how BSBA members select an image for their cards, how they create a digital image of their artwork, how they create a layout for note cards and how they print their cards.

The conversation presented today is open to everyone, so please feel free to send in your comments or additional questions. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Thank you to readers who submitted questions. And many thanks to BSBA members who responded and to all BSBA members who are following this conversation ready to join in as the conversation develops.



Your Questions for the Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists
:

Read Full Post »

John James Audubon:
American Artist and Naturalist

Mobile Museum of Art
Mobile, AL
Oct. 14, 2011 – Jan. 8, 2012

View 80 original Audubon prints, including 64 of the original hand-colored Double Elephant Folio engravings from The Birds of America. Also see letters written by Audubon, rare books, photographs, and personal items from the John James Audubon Museum in Henderson, Kentucky.

This weekend, you will be able to learn from John James Audubon himself as author, naturalist, and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays Audubon in several programs.

    Birding Hike and Gallery Talk
    Saturday, October 15, 2011; 9-11 AM. A unique bird-watching adventure begins in Langan Park and ends in the Museum galleries. Audubon will bring his paintings to life, giving insight into bird behavior and providing tips on becoming a better birder. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.

    The Art of Storytelling and Interpretation
    Saturday, October 15, 2011; 1-3 PM. Learn how to create effective and memorable educational programs through storytelling and first-person monologues. Educators, docents, and naturalists will learn skills that can be used to interpret any kind of art, science or historical chapter.

    Adventures with Audubon
    Sunday, October 16, 2011; 1:30 PM. Learn about the natural history of North America as Audubon shares stories of his travels and what he saw in the early 1800s.

    Visit the museum’s website for information about workshops and lectures scheduled for November.


    Related

Read Full Post »

ART IN THE GARDEN
A Learn and Grow Educational Program

Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011
10 AM – 12 PM
For children 7 – 18 years old

During this special workshop, botanical artist Linda Miller will teach children how to draw in the garden. Artists will learn how to simplify complex structures and how to add color using watercolor paints and colored pencils while creating a beautiful journal page using words and images. All materials furnished by the instructor and the York County Master Gardeners’ Learning Garden committee.

The class is held outdoors in the garden. Please bring your own insect repellent, drink and snacks. Admission is free and open to the public. Pre-registration required by October 7, 2011. Contact the York County Cooperative Extension Office to register at (757) 890-4940.

If you register and discover you cannot attend for some reason, please notify the York County Cooperative Extension Office so someone on the waiting listing may attend in your place. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sponsored by the York County Master Gardeners of Virginia.

This workshop will be taught at the Public Learning Gardens at 301 Goodwin Neck Rd. at County Dr. in front of the Fire & Safety Building and next to York County Parks & Rec Building.

Read Full Post »

New at Classes Near You > North Carolina:


Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont

www.dsbg.org
The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden offers many learning opportunities for both children and adults. The garden’s classes about photography and Adobe Photoshop may be of special interest to ArtPlantae readers. View a complete list of current classes on the garden’s website.

    Organic Lines & Nature’s Treasures – Saturday, October 8, 15, 22, 29, 2011; 10 AM – 12:30 PM. Learn the fundamentals of drawing while observing Nature’s forms. Beginning and intermediate students encouraged. Cost: $80 members, $100 non-members. A materials list will be sent with confirmation of your registration.
    View all details & register online

Read Full Post »

A new resource for botanical art education has been added to the class page for Maryland. View the schedule of current classes and watch for announcements of future classes at Classes Near You > Maryland.


Cylburn Arboretum

http://cylburnassociation.org
The Cylburn Arboretum is the home of a post-Civil War estate built as a summer home for the President of Baltimore Chrome Works and his mother. Now a center for environmental education and horticulture, the Cylburn Arboretum hosts tours, events and activities for children and adults. The botanical art classes at Cylburn are taught by botanical artist, Molly O. Hoopes. Learn more about Molly in the ASBA Members’ Gallery.

  • Introduction to Botanical Art – Saturday, September 10, 2011; 2-4 PM. Botanical artist, Molly O. Hoopes, discusses the history of botanical art during this free lecture in the Greenhouse Classroom.
  • Botanical Illustration Series – Wednesdays, September 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 12, 2011; 6-9 PM. Traditional watercolor techniques, color theory, composition and plant morphology are the focus of this class.
  • Botanical Illustration: Autumn Foliage – Wednesdays, September 21, 28, October 5, 12, 2011. Learn traditional watercolor techniques as you draw and paint berries, seeds and flowers.

Read Full Post »

This month, we have the opportunity to learn from several artists in a group-style Q&A session.

Please join me in welcoming our Feature Group for October, the Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists!

The Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists (BSBA) was created by the first graduating class of the certificate program in botanical art offered by the University of Birmingham, England. Having worked alongside each other for two years, this class of 12 students wanted to continue to meet regularly so they could continue to learn from each other. They formed the BSBA and now members of the original group, as well as graduates from other classes, meet monthly at the Winterbourne Botanic Garden. Since its creation in 1999, the BSBA has grown to include 50 members, all of whom are actively painting and exhibiting their work.

The certificate program responsible for uniting this dedicated group of botanical artists was cancelled in 2005 because of university budget cuts. Fittingly today, this two-year university program has been replaced with two one-year programs taught by the Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists.

The one-year Certificate Program is a program leading students through the sequence of steps artists complete while creating a botanical painting. Students learn plant morphology, how to create accurate line drawings, how to create three-dimensional forms, and how to work in the field. They also learn how to work in a variety of media. Regular homework assignments and a final project reinforce what has been learned, as does sharing work with fellow students. According to BSBA member & tutor Jeni Neale, the certificate program encourages students to find their own style and to develop their own specialty.

The second program developed by the BSBA is called Aspects of Botanical Illustration. It can be viewed as either a continuation of the certificate program or as a standalone program for individuals who want to learn about botanical art, but who do not have the time to dedicate to the certificate program. The Aspects program is a one-year program composed of a series of monthly classes dedicated to a specific theme (e.g., leaves and stems in graphite, painting shine on leaves, etc.). Neale states the Aspect program “enables students to work on developing their own skills in botanical illustration or to adapt what they have learnt to their own particular area of interest.”

This month we have the opportunity to learn from eight members of the Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists in a group-style Ask The Artist Q&A. Each artist has their own specialty and their own approach to botanical art. You are invited to ask questions about their respective specialties or about how they approach drawing and painting plants.

Artists participating in this month’s group Q&A are:

  • Jan Beesley – Specializes in detailed illustration using graphite pencils.
  • Julia Blower – New to the world of botanical illustration.
  • Dawn Burford – Specializes in illustrating books for publishers in pen and ink.
  • Jenny Major – Loves illustrating foliage and non-flowering plants. Dislikes big blousy flowers.
  • Jeni Neale – Specializes in colour mixing using just six colours and printing cards of her paintings on her home computer.
  • Audrey Richards – Prints her own cards from her colourful paintings.
  • Bridget Rochford – Specializes in illustrating wild flowers combining watercolour with graphite in the background.
  • Sue Wilson – Loves wet-in-wet for both leaves and flowers. Dislikes drawing, so often does minimal lines and goes straight in with the paint.

Do you have questions about printing or selling note cards featuring your botanical paintings? Looking for insight into how to become a book illustrator? Have questions you have not yet had the chance to ask? Use this opportunity to ask your question(s) and to learn from this diverse group of artists.

Please send questions to education@artplantae.com or type your questions in the comment box below. If you type your questions below, please know they will not be published to the Web automatically. Your questions will be added anonymously to the list of questions submitted to the BSBA.

All questions are due October 10, 2011.
Replies from our visiting artists and tutors will be posted on October 24, 2011.


What do you want to learn?



UPDATE
: Go to The Birmingham Society of Botanical Artists Answers Your Questions

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »