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Archive for the ‘Learning Opportunities’ Category

You, Your Sketchbook, Tuscany. Are you in?

Posted in Learning Opportunities, Sketching & Journaling, Watercolor on February 14, 2011|

Brenda Swenson, Los Angeles
www.swensonsart.net
Brenda Swenson, WW, NWWS is the author of Keeping a Watercolor Sketchbook and Steps to Success in Watercolor. She is a very popular, award-winning artist who teaches across the U.S. and abroad. See Breanda’s new section about tips, techniques, and tools for artists on her blog.

Tuscany En Plein Air / Watercolor Sketching with Brenda Swenson
September 3-13, 2011. Spend 10 days in Italy at a restored Tuscan farmhouse! All levels of artists will benefit from demonstrations, friendly critiques, and personalized instruction. Get all the details and see sample pages from Brenda’s travel journal at Abbondanza Toscana.

Also posted at:
Classes Near You > Italy
Classes Near You > California

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Humboldt Field Research Institute Offers Courses in Insect Illustration, Botanical Art

Posted in Learning Opportunities on February 7, 2011|

New at Classes Near You > Maine:

The Humboldt Field Research Institute / Eaglehill Foundation
Steuben, ME
www.eaglehill.us
The Humboldt Field Research Institute is a field research station providing field experiences for natural history professionals. The Eaglehill Foundation creates interdisciplinary learning experiences in natural history, including workshops and retreats for artists.

Botanical Illustration: Sketching and Painting Wildflowers in Their Natural Environment – July 24 – July 30, 2011
This workshop will focus on sketching and painting wildflowers in the field with watercolors, with an emphasis on depicting them in their natural environment. With the inclusion of a plant’s surroundings in a painting, not only is the plant captured, but also the immediate habitat which supports it. This brings a new and intriguing dimension to one’s paintings. One can add just a simple suggestion of surrounding vegetation or a more detailed study of it, or even incorporate a larger-scale landscape, as in the orchid paintings by Martin Johnson Heade from the 19th century. The objective of field trips will be to gather inspiration and information which is essential in understanding and capturing the plant, its growth habit, and its interconnection with the natural world. Through close observation, participants will record what they see with pencil sketches, watercolor studies, and field notes. When possible, participants will be able to collect specimens from the field to continue working on them in the classroom. There will be daily sessions in the classroom during which participants can integrate their gathered information and observations and work towards one or more final paintings. The workshop will also focus on the importance of overall design, i.e., how to create the most effective composition to which the plant and its habitat lend themselves. There will be discussions of the importance of values in a painting, and of light tones, mid tones, and darks. There will be demonstrations on color mixing, brush strokes, and a wealth of other watercolor painting techniques. Through books and slides, there will be an opportunity to study and discuss the work of successful artists over generations who have depicted plants in their habitats, all within the context of works by contemporary artists. Participants of any level are welcome and will receive individual instruction and critiques as part of the workshop.

Angela Mirro studied art and illustration at Parsons School of Design, while also developing a career as a textile designer. Over the past 20 years, her focus has been on botanical watercolor paintings of orchids, with a continued interest in landscape painting. When possible, she has combined the two in various degrees, painting orchids in situ as they grow in nature. Her work has been widely exhibited at such venues as: Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC (2010); The American Orchid Society, Delray Beach, FL (2008); the Brooklyn Florilegium Society, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, NY (2003, 2005, 2007-2008, 2010); Orchids in Contemporary Botanical Art, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA (2006); and the Ashmolean Museum, A New Flowering: 1000 Years of Botanical Art, the Shirley Sherwood Collection, Oxford, England (2005). Her work is also contained in many private collections. In addition to painting orchids and landscapes, she also creates textile designs at Polo Ralph Lauren for the home furnishing market. Registration Information
Scientific Illustration of Butterflies, Moths, and Other Insects
June 26 – July 2, 2011
This workshop focuses on scientific illustration of butterflies, moths and other insects from the instructor’s collection. Participants may work in the media of their choice. Preliminary sketching will be done in graphite. Instruction will stress drawing skills, accuracy, and technique, with instruction tailored to individual student needs, in order to produce exacting images of the chosen subject. Field exploration will include observing the surrounding beauty of the Humboldt Institute with the goal of discovering interesting insects in their natural habitat. Participants will be encouraged to explore mixed media options during the week’s studies. Microscopes will be available for up close observation of subjects in order to fully see the complexity of these delicate creatures. The instructor will provide hands-on demonstrations. Instruction is geared to all levels, beginner to advanced, and all participants will receive individualized attention throughout the week.

Dolores R. Santoliquido is a freelance illustrator, an adjunct professor of illustration and drawing at Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY and an instructor in the Botanical Illustration Certificate Program at the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY. She has a thirty-four year career in commercial art and her work has been exhibited extensively, including group shows at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. and the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Pittsburgh, PA. She has illustrated over one hundred books including several in the National Audubon Society Field Guide Series and produced numerous illustrations for Fine Gardening Magazine. Her work has also been published on the May 2006 cover of Orchids Magazine. Registration Information

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Document the Tropical Flora and Fauna of Guatemala with Cynthia Padilla

Posted in botanical art, Learning Opportunities, Sketching & Journaling, Special Events on February 7, 2011|

New at Classes Near You > Texas and Classes Near You > Guatemala:

Cynthia Padilla, Dallas
http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com
Cynthia Padilla teaches painting and drawing classes at prestigious universities, major museums, arboreta, art societies across the US, Canada, Central America and internationally. She curates exhibitions, serves as a juror of exhibitions, lectures and conducts demonstrations, and leads painting retreats worldwide.

Botanical Arts/ Nature Sketching the Tropical Flora and Fauna of Guatemala with Cynthia Padilla

Class will be based in lovely Antigua, a delightful bougainvillea-draped town with an international ambiance of internet cafes, art galleries, artisan crafts and warmhearted, welcoming people.

Participants will also head into the highlands where volcanoes rise out of early morning mist and spend 3 days on Lake Atitlan.

Begin a lifelong habit of journaling in nature and return home with a collection of sketches, tiny vignettes, notes & notations, measurements and musings, and frameable works of art in breathtaking detail. All media and all levels welcome.

Registration/Information: Liza Fourré, Director, Art Workshops in Guatemala, call 612-825-0747 or contact Liza Fourré, Director.

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Natural Science Illustration Classes Begin at Yale Peabody Museum’s West Campus

Posted in botanical art, Learning Opportunities on February 7, 2011|

Connecticut Natural Science Illustrators In collaboration with the Yale Peabody Museum
www.ctnsi.com

Connecticut Natural Science Illustrators LLC is comprised of professional artists and scientists who have developed educational programs in natural science illustration. The members of CTNSI also provide illustrations, printed material, murals and exhibits addressing environmental and biological topics. The team at CTNSI works with environmental groups, nature centers, schools, and event managers. Download the CTNSI Spring 2011 schedule for more information. All classes are taught at the Yale Peabody Museum Education Center/West Campus, 117 Frontage Road, Orange, CT 06477. Register online at www.ctnsi.com or contact ctnsicontact@gmail.com.

Fundamentals of Natural Science Illustration – Wednesdays, February 9 – March 30, 2011; 1-4 PM. All you need is a pencil. Learn to observe and render natural science subjects accurately by applying what you will learn about line, value, proportion, and perspective. Supply list provided. Cost: $275
Fundamentals of Natural Science Illustration – Saturdays,
February 12 – April 2, 2011; 10 AM -1 PM. All you need is a pencil. Learn to observe and render natural science subjects accurately by applying what you will learn about line, value, proportion, and perspective. Supply list provided. Cost: $275
Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I – Wednesdays,
February 9 – March 2, 2011, 1-4 PM. Sketch, draw and paint fresh flowers and plants. Cost: $140
Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I – Saturdays,
April 16 – May 7, 2011; 10 AM – 1 PM. Sketch, draw and paint fresh flowers and plants. Cost: $140
Botanical Illustration in Watercolor II – Wednesdays,
March 9 – March 30, 2011; 1-4 PM. Build upon what you learned in Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I, which a pre-requisite for this course. Learn about backgrounds, composition, and color. Prerequisite: BIW I or previous experience with permission of instructor. Cost: $140
Botanical Illustration in Watercolor II – Saturdays,
May 14 – June 4, 2011; 10 AM – 1 PM. Build upon what you learned in Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I, which a prerequisite for this course. Learn about backgrounds, composition, and color. Prerequisite: BIW I or previous experience with permission of instructor. Cost: $140
Botanical Oil Painting – Saturdays, February 12 – April 2, 2011;
10 AM – 1 PM. Systematic study of the methods and procedures used by 17th-century Dutch flower painters. Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Natural Science Illustration or permission of the instructor. Cost: $275
Pen & Ink I: Basic Techniques – Wednesdays, April 13 – May 4, 2011;
1 – 4 PM. Master techniques used in scientific illustration using crow quill and technical pens. Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Natural Science Illustration or permission of instructor. Cost: $275
Pen & Ink II: Natural Science Specimens – Wednesdays,
May 11 – June 1; 1 – 4 PM. Illustrate subjects from the Peabody’s museum collection. Create a note card or business card using the completed image. Prerequisite: Pen & Ink I or permission of instructor. Cost: $140.
Natural Science Illustration in Mixed Media – Wednesdays,
April 13 – June 1, 2010; 1 – 4 PM. Capture birds, plants, reptiles, and other wildlife on paper with scientific accuracy. Learn how to combine different media so that they are suitable for publication. Previous experience helpful. Completion of Fundamentals of Natural Science Illustration is recommended. Cost: $275
Drawing and Painting Birds – Saturdays, April 16 to June 4, 2011;
10 AM – 1 PM. Avian anatomy, field sketching, and drawing from mounted specimens and skins are the focus of this class. Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Natural Science Illustration. Cost: $275

Now at Classes Near You > Connecticut.

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Botanical Illustration in Tennessee

Posted in botanical art, Learning Opportunities on February 7, 2011|

The state of Tennessee has been added to the Classes Near You section. Meet Mary Gwyn Bowen!

Mary Gwyn Bowen
www.marygwynbowen.com
Mary has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with Honors from The Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. and is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. She is currently working on a research project she designed that employs the use of art in the cardiac rehabilitation process. Mary works works in oil and watercolor.

Botanical Watercolor – Thursdays, February 10 & 17, 2011; 6 -8 PM. Learn traditional botanical illustration techniques and experience how art and science work together. For artists age 15+. Students must bring basic painting supplies. Contact instructor for more information. Cost: $35, plus $5 materials fee. More Info & Register

Now posted at Classes Near You > Tennessee.

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Beginners Learn to Capture Nature’s Elegance in Chinese Brush Painting Class

Posted in botanical art, Learning Opportunities on January 31, 2011|

BEGINS THIS WEEK!

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, Arcadia
www.arboretum.org
Courses in introductory botanical drawing, beginning and intermediate watercolor, colored pencil, sketching and Chinese brush painting are taught throughout the year. Go to the Events & Classes for more information. The Arboretum is located in Arcadia, CA. To register, contact Jill Berry or call (626) 821-4624.

Introduction to Chinese Brush Painting – Thursdays, February 3-24, 2011; 12:30 – 2:30 PM. In this introductory course the student will learn the difference between Chinese brush painting and other watercolor painting. Beginning students will learn how to use Chinese brushes and ink to create beautiful paintings on rice paper. At the end of this course, a completed painting will be ready to be framed and displayed. Experienced students, will continue to refine their work and learn new techniques. Instructor, Gloria Whea-Fun Teng, is a very talented artist who has taught a variety of courses over the years. She has also studied botanical illustration at Otis College of Art & Design.
Cost: $120 members, $130 nonmembers

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

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Keep an Eye on Nature with Julie S. Ljubenkov

Posted in botanical art, Learning Opportunities on January 19, 2011|

Updates at Classes Near You > California:

Julie Schneider Ljubenkov, San Diego
www.artnatureeducation.com
Julie is an artist, author, educator, naturalist, and native plant consultant. Download Julie’s current brochure to learn more Julie, her limited edition prints, and her projects.

Eye on Nature, Beginning Watercolor Landscape Painting – Thursdays, January 20 – March 17, 2011; 6-9 PM. UC San Diego Extension, La Jolla. Cost: $275. Register
Watercolor Painting for Kids – Tuesdays, February 1-22, 2011;
3:30 – 5:00. Ages 8-13. City of Escondido, East Valley Community Center. Cost: $30. Register online or call 760-839-4691.
Gardening & Landscaping with California Native Plants – Tuesdays, February 1-22, 2011; 6:00-8:30 PM. City of Escondido, East Valley Community Center. Includes field trip to a local nursery. Cost: $65. Register online or call 760-839-4691.
Mosaic Art – Mondays, March 21 – May 2, 2011; 5:30-8:30 PM. Mira Costa Community College Community Services, Oceanside campus. Cost: $109, plus $35 materials fee. Register online or call (760) 795-6820. Registration line open 24 hours.
Introduction to Mosaic Art – Tuesdays, April 5 – May 31, 2011; 6-9 PM. UC San Diego Extension, La Jolla. Cost: $275. Register
Gardening & Landscaping with California Native Plants – Mondays, May 9-23, 2011; 5:30-8:30 PM. Mira Costa Community College Community Services, Oceanside campus. Includes field trip to a local nursery. Cost: $57, plus $5 materials fee. Register online or call
(760) 795-6820. Registration line open 24 hours.