Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Learning Opportunities’ Category

Teaching Ecology with Pop-Up Books

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, Special Events on September 1, 2012| 13 Comments »

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed). © Shawn Sheehy. All rights reserved

Say the phrase “pop-up book” to people and often the first thing to pop (pun intended) into people’s minds are children’s books with animal characters, pull tabs and that creaky noise pop-up books tend to make.

However pop-up books are not just for children. In fact, the earliest form of this book was created for adults, not children (Van Dyk et al., 2010). And while we may like to think that pop-ups are a modern-day invention, this format has been in existence for 800 years (Van Dyk et al., 2010).

Shawn Sheehy is an environmental educator and a book artist whose specialty is pop-up books about the environment. Through his work, Shawn brings attention to ecosystems and ecological topics such as population dynamics, resource allocation and speciation.

Shawn has a degree in education and a Masters of Fine Art in Book and Paper Arts. He has taught English to second graders in Mexico, environmental studies at YMCA camp, and various community-level arts and crafts classes.

Shawn began teaching classes in the book arts while in grad school. Over the years, he gradually shifted the focus of his classes to paper engineering because he likes the challenge of teaching this subject.

Shawn’s next workshop will occur on September 27 in Salt Lake City. His workshop will precede the meeting of the Moveable Book Society. In this workshop, Shawn says he will “focus on integrating pop-up structures with movable structures, with the goal of creating a sense of animation in the pop-ups.”

Shawn will also teach two classes about vegetable pop-up cards on October 26 and November 2 at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Then in April 2013, he will teach his wildflower workshop at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Information about these learning opportunities can be viewed in Shawn’s listing at Classes Near You > Illinois.

Join me in welcoming Shawn Sheehy, our featured guest for September!


Literature Cited
Van Dyk, Stephen, Elizabeth Broman, Ellen G. K. Rubin, Ann Montanaro and Elizabeth Periale. 2010. Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop and Turn. Brochure. The Smithsonian Libraries Exhibition Gallery, National Museum of American History. Washington, DC. June 2010 – October 2011. Web. http://www.sil.si.edu/pdf/FPPT_brochure.pdf [accessed 31 August 2012]

Read Full Post »

Study the Art of Scientific Illustration

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, scientific illustration on August 29, 2012|

New at Classes Near You > New York:


The Arts Center of the Capital Region
www.artscenteronline.org
An art center in Troy, NY offering classes in drawing, painting, art history, the business of art, and the digital arts. View their extensive schedule of classes online.

    Micrographia: The Art of Scientific Illustration
    November 3-4, 2012; 12-4 PM
    Study nature’s forms under a magnifying glass and learn how to draw objects, patterns and textures with instructor, Monica Bill Hughes.
    Cost: $104 members, $115 non-members. Materials Fee: $25.
    View Details/Register

Read Full Post »

Colored Pencil Class for Children New Afterschool Treat at L.A. Arboretum

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, sketchbook on August 29, 2012|

Here is what’s new at Classes Near You > Southern California!


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 Events & Classes for more information. The Arboretum is located in Arcadia, CA. To register, contact Jill Berry or call (626) 821-4624.

    NEW
    Drawing with Colored Pencil for Children
    Children ages 9-13 will use pencils to develop observation and fine motor skills, focusing on color mixing and drawing techniques while using  objects  from  nature  and everyday life. This class will be held on Thursday afternoons (3:30 – 5:30 PM). Two sections of this class are available for Fall 2012. Cost: $145 Arboretum members, $160 non-members; 10% discount for siblings. Minimum enrollment: 5 children, Maximum enrollment: 10 children.

    Thursdays, September 6, 13, 20, 27
    Thursdays, October 4, 11, 18, 25

    Ongoing…
    Using Colored Pencil in Botanical Art
    Learn the colored pencil techniques used by botanical artists! All levels of experience are welcome. Students will receive a supply list. Pre-registration required. Registrants may bring a lunch or buy lunch at the Peacock Cafe. Both Tuesday and Saturday classes will be offered beginning in May. The Summer/Fall 2012 schedule is as follows:

    Tuesdays, 2012
    Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25
    Oct 2, 9, 16, 23
    Nov (No Classes)
    Dec 4, 11, 18 (Dec classes 10:00 AM – 3:15 PM)

    These classes will focus on techniques, composition and color mixing. All levels of experience are welcome.

    10 AM – 2 PM (includes lunch break)
    $255/mo. Arboretum members per month
    $275/mo. Non-members per month
    Pre-registration required; please call (626) 821-4623

    Saturdays, 2012
    September 15
    October 13
    (No class in Nov.)
    December 15

    Each individual class will explore flowers, fruits, vegetables and related subjects. Participants will learn how to use colored pencils techniques to achieve beautiful, painterly results. You may register for one class at a time. A supply list will be provided upon registration; you can also bring your lunch or purchase it at the Peacock Café.

    10 AM – 4 PM, includes a one-hour lunch break (5 hours of class)
    $95 Arboretum members per Saturday
    $115 Non-members per Saturday
    Pre-registration required; please call (626) 821-4623

Cristina Baltayian is a botanical artist with a background in drawing (graphite, charcoal, pen & ink), two-dimensional design, watercolor and colored pencil. Her work has been shown at Filoli, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Chapman University. She is a member of the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California and the American Society of Botanical Artists.

Read Full Post »

Drawing, Painting and the Old Masters at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center

Posted in botanical art, drawing, Education, Learning Opportunities on August 29, 2012|

Lala Ragimov
www.LalaRagimov.com
A Southern California artist who studies the techniques of Renaissance painters and uses these techniques in her work. Her work is currently on view in the solo exhibition, Envisioning the Natural World, at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center. Lala’s classes appeal to a general audience and can accommodate participants working on independent projects. Botanical artists are welcome! The classes below are taught at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center in Torrance, CA.

Adult Classes:

    Exploring Watercolor Techniques
    Thursdays, September 20 – November 29, 2012; 6:30 – 9:00 PM
    (no class Nov 22)
    Learn new techniques at each meeting. Students have the option of participating in the class project or working on their own. Cost: $135 Torrance residents ($150 non-residents). View Details/Register


    Fundamentals of  Oil Painting
    Learn oil painting techniques and apply your new knowledge using still life sets or in your own independent project. Topics addressed include: color theory, composition, positive space and negative space. Two sections of this course are available. Cost per section: $135 Torrance residents, ($150 non-residents)

    Mondays, September 17 – November 26, 2012; 6:30 – 9:00 PM
    (no class Nov 12)
    View Details/Register for Monday option

    Tuesdays, September 18 – November 20; 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
    View Details/Register for Tuesday option


    Learn to Draw and Sketch
    Tuesdays, September 18 – November 6, 2012; 12:30 – 2:30 PM.
    In this introductory course, participants will learn how to observe subjects. They will also learn about shading, composition, expression and style. Cost: $100 Torrance residents, ($110 non-residents)
    View Details/Register


Children’s Classes:

    Drawing and Watercolour Painting (Ages 10-16)
    Young artists will work in pencil, pen, ink and watercolor while learning about perspective, shading and color. They will also draw and paint from life and imagination and learn the techniques of the Old Masters. Two sections of this course are available. Cost per section: $79 Torrance residents, ($89 non-residents)

    Fridays, September 21 – November 9, 2012; 4:00-5:30 PM
    View Details/Register for Friday option

    Saturdays, September 22 – November 10, 2012; 3:15-4:45 PM
    View Details/Register for Saturday option


    Botanical Illustration for Children     – Coming soon!

This information can also be found at Classes Near You > Southern California.

Read Full Post »

Study the Shades of Autumn at North Cascades Basecamp

Posted in Education, Learning Opportunities, Photography, Watercolor on August 27, 2012|

Now 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.

    Capturing the Shades of October with Photographer, Teri J. Pieper
    October 7-9, 2012; Friday 1 PM thru Sunday 1 PM
    Up to ten photographers will have the opportunity to explore the Methow Valley with cameras and tripods in hand while Teri J. Pieper helps them discover their own unique vision of fall colors in the Methow Valley. Workshop fee includes two nights lodging, six meals and materials. Teri’s work has been featured in a variety of publications including the National Audubon Society magazine and The Nature Conservancy of Washington magazine among others. Her formal photography education was at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, MT. View Teri’s gallery of nature photography online. Location: Methow Valley, Mazama, WA
    View Details/Register


    Painting Watercolors of Autumn with Watercolorist, John Adams
    October 13-14, 2012; 10 AM – 1 PM
    Learn to paint brilliant, colorful autumn scenes in the North Cascades mountains. Each day will include an instructor demonstration of painting mountains and trees with bright watercolors of fall, followed by individual instruction as you create your own painting based on the demo or an idea that you bring to the class. All levels of experience are welcome. Instructor John Adams is a professional artist, designer, teacher and signature member of the National Watercolor Society.
    Location: Methow Valley, Mazama, WA
    View Details/Register

Read Full Post »

Botany & Botanical Art at the Eden Project

Posted in botanical art, botany, drawing, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities on August 22, 2012|

The Eden Project
www.edenproject.com
Located in Cornwall, England, the Eden Project is a non-profit whose focus is connecting people to the natural world through educational programs, social programs, music and art. See how the Eden Project was transformed from a clay pit to an international institute for learning.

    Botanical Illustration – October 5-7, 2012; 10 AM – 4 PM. A three-day class about botany and botanical illustration. On Day One, participants will learn about plants, their structures and their functions. On Day Two and Day Three, botanical artists Mally Francis and Ros Franklin will teach botanical drawing using fruit and the autumn harvest as their themes. Open to beginners and more experienced students. Cost: £180, includes entry to the Eden Project, lunch and refreshments. View Details/Register

This information can also be viewed at Classes Near You > England.


Related
Mally Francis Paints the Lost Gardens of Heligan

Read Full Post »

New Intermediate Online Class for Pencil Artists

Posted in Drawing in Graphite, Drawing to Learn, Education, Learning Opportunities on August 22, 2012|

Do you prefer pencil over paint?

Check out Mike Sibley’s new intermediate online drawing class!


Mike Sibley Fine Art
www.sibleyfineart.com
Mike Sibley is the author of Drawing from Line to Life, an inspiring instructional book about creating realistic drawings in graphite. Mike teaches classes in England, the US and Canada. He is looking into teaching a class in Australia in 2013. He also teaches an online course and is currently creating instructional DVDs. Mike’s website is a rich resource for the graphite artist. If graphite is your preferred medium, be sure to visit!

    Drawing from Line to Life (Beginner) – An eight-week online course based on Mike Sibley’s book of the same name. Beginners will learn fundamental drawing techniques, shading techniques and how to break a drawing down into manageable parts. Weekly homework will be assigned. Students may work towards certification or take this class as an auditing student. There are two versions of this course. Version 1 includes instructor critique and credit. Version 2 is an audit situation through which students can follow along, but cannot receive feedback about their work or receive course credit. Cost: $228 certificate course, $114 audit course. View Start Dates/Register

    Drawing from Line to Life (Intermediate) – A continuation of Mike’s class for beginners. In this eight-week course, students will begin to think about the message within their art and learn how to create textures, and explore negative space. There are two versions of this course. Version 1 includes instructor critique and credit. Version 2 is an audit situation through which students can follow along, but cannot receive feedback about their work or receive course credit. Cost: $228 certificate course, $114 audit course. View Start Dates/Register

This information has also been posted to Classes Near You > England.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »