ArtPlantae Today

Study Plants and Birds with Illustrator Kathleen McKeehan

December 3, 2012 by Tania Marien

Here are the latest updates at Classes Near You > Washington:

Kathleen McKeehen, Scientific Illustrator
Kathleen is a teacher and freelance illustrator. Her work has appeared in Organic Gardening Magazine and The Herb Companion. View Kathleen’s artwork in the ASBA Members’ Gallery or at the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators’
Science-Art.com. Kathleen welcomes both beginners and advanced students to her classes.

Painting Birds with your Botanicals

www.winslowartcenter.com

Painting Nature
Fridays, January 18 – March 22, 2013 (1:30-4:30)
Gage Academy of Art, Seattle
The classic dry brush watercolor method is excellent for portraying other natural science subjects besides the botanical; feathers, shells, bones, stones–all lend themselves well to the precise and accurate technique. Basic techniques on simple botanical subjects will be taught, and students can select either botanical or other natural subjects on which to practice these techniques. All levels welcome.
Cost: $430. View Details/Register

Botanical Drawing
Fridays, January 18-March 22, 2013 (9:30-12:30)
Gage Academy of Art, Seattle
The basics of drawing will be covered, beginning with using line expressively to portray botanical subjects, then progressing to use of various methods of shading to show form and three-dimensionality. While the class focuses on plant subjects, the methods and techniques taught work well for rendering any subject realistically. All levels welcome; intermediate students can take on more complicated subjects with instructor supervision. Cost: $430 View Details/Register

Botanical Drawing
Mondays, January 28 – March 18, 2013 (7:00-9:30 PM)
Poulsbo Parks & Recreation
Beginning with measurement techniques, observational skills, and the unique requirements of botanical art, the class teaches the use of line, then shading to accurately and beautifully render botanical subjects. While focusing on plants, the methods learned apply to any realistic rendering, and are an excellent preparation for the botanical watercolor class. Cost: $129. Download Adult Programs guide (see page 33).

Painting the Pine Cone in Watercolor
Weekend Workshop, February 9-10, 2013 (9:30 – 4:30)
Gage Academy of Art, Seattle
Explore classic botanical watercolor techniques of small graded washes and dry brush. Beginners may practice on simpler cones, while more the more experienced may tackle complex specimens. Cones are supplied, but feel free to bring other cone specimens that interest you. All levels welcome.
View Details/Register

Botanicals in Watercolor: Painting the Produce Section
Weekend Workshop, March 2-3, 2013 (9:30 – 4:30)
Gage Academy of Art, Seattle
Explore important basics for botanical painting from measurement, drawing and preparing the painting surface to understanding how lighting reveals form. Learn to use flat and graded washes and apply dry-brush technique as well. You work with simple subjects from the grocery store, such as mushrooms, peppers and squashes, as you gain confidence in the traditional techniques of botanical watercolor, then move on to larger, more complex subjects. Appropriate for all levels; intermediate students can select more challenging subjects.
View Details/Register

Botanical Drawing
Tuesdays, January 22 – March 6, 2013 (7:00-9:30 PM)
The Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle
Pencil is an excellent medium for botanical illustration, and drawing a good preparation for those planning to continue on to botanical watercolor. Students will learn measurement and observational skills, as well as how to handle line and use shading techniques to show the effects of light on form, resulting in a realistic, accurate, and beautiful rendering. All levels are welcome, and repeating students can take on more advanced subjects with plentiful instructor supervision. For more information: (206) 685-8033 or visit Classes page.

More from Kathleen

Stay tuned for classes at the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island.
Also, let me know if you are interested in a studio class in Indianola – it will probably be on Tuesdays, mid-morning to early afternoon.

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities |

Classroom Project Integrates Plant Science and Art

November 30, 2012 by Tania Marien

It may be winter, but there is no need to wait for Spring to integrate plants and art in the classroom. All one needs to do is follow the example set by biology teacher Pat Stellflue, art teacher Marie Allen and botany professor D. Timothy Gerber. In their paper Art & Science Grow Together, they explain how they created a project that placed plants and botanical illustration high on the agenda for an entire school year.

In a program they call “Plants, Pots and Paints”, Stellflue et al. (2005) integrated the plant sciences with the arts in their work with fourth and fifth grade students. On the science side, their program addressed plant structure and function, growth stages, survival strategies and reproductive strategies. On the art side, their program focused on different media and art techniques. Key to this program was a pottery project (clay pot construction) and drawing (botanical illustration). The disciplines of botany and art came together in a series of hands-on activities in which growing, drawing, painting and dissecting (Stellflue et al., 2005) were the focus.

Using tulips, crocus, iris and daffodils as their primary study subjects, students learned about growth stages, form, function and drawing while planting and growing spring flowers and illustrating their observations.

After a full year of integrating botany and botanical art, Stellflue et al. (2005) observed that students ended the year with stronger observation skills and an enhanced understanding of plants. This became clear to the authors through the increasingly informative illustrations students created (Stellflue et al., 2005). The authors also observed students taking better care of their plants because they had built the clay pots and drainage trays themselves.

Art & Science Grow Together is available online and can be purchased for 99¢.

Literature Cited
Stellflue, Pat and Marie Allen, D. Timothy Gerber. 2005. Art and science grow together. Science & Children. 43(1): 33-35

Related Information
Resources about bulbs, seeds, plants and schoolyard gardens at ArtPlantae Books

Posted in botanical art, botany, drawing, teaching & learning, Teaching & Learning |

Plants & The Arts at Greystoke Cycle Cafe

November 28, 2012 by Tania Marien

This haven for cyclists and creatives has announced their schedule of classes for 2013. Here is what’s new at Classes Near You > England:

Greystoke Cycle Café & Tea Garden
www.greystokecyclecafe.co.uk
You may remember learning about the Greystoke Cycle Café & Tea Garden during an interview with Billy Showell. This rest stop for cyclists not only provides everything a cyclist needs, it also provides a full schedule of workshops taught by artists and other professionals. The 2013 schedule includes:

Botanical Illustration in Watercolor – April 3, 2013
Wildlife Illustration in Watercolor – April 4, 2013
Beginners Watercolors and Pen and Wash – April 10, 2013
Eco Dyeing for Textile Artists – July 3, 2013
Botanical Illustration in Watercolor – July 30, 2013
Wildlife Illustration in Watercolor with Gouache – July 31, 2013
Wildlife or Botanical Illustration in Watercolors – August 1, 2013
Dyeing with Natural Fibers – August 2, 2012

See the Greystoke Cycle Cafe’s Quirky Workshops page to view their current class schedule.

Posted in botanical art, Education, gardening, Learning Opportunities, nature |

Botanical Illustration and Plant Identification at Portland Community College

November 28, 2012 by Tania Marien

Looking ahead to the new year, here is the latest update for
Classes Near You > Oregon:

Quinn Fitzpatrick
www.quinnfitzpatrick.com
Quinn is an artist, a musician, and a graduate of the Natural Science Illustration Program at the University of Washington. His specialties include wild cats, raptors, wild edible plants, and medicinal plants. His chosen media are graphite, watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and photography.

Botanical Illustration: Introduction

View Details/Register

Posted in botanical art, botany, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities |

Botanical Art for Kids at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

November 28, 2012 by Tania Marien

A botanical art workshop for children at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has been added to Classes Near You > Virginia.

Take a look!

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
www.vmfa.museum
Located in Richmond, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts encourages the study of the arts. Through the program Saturdays in the Studio, they provide students with the opportunity to learn from professional artists.

Saturdays in the Studio: Botanical Illustration

View Details/Register

Posted in botanical art, Education, gardening, general botany, Learning Opportunities |

iGiveTrees Program, Botanical Art Retreats in Brazil

November 26, 2012 by Tania Marien

Alana Lea, botanical artist and advocate for Brazil’s Atlantic Forest will be based in Brazil in 2013 to continue her reforestation project.

During her residency, she will work with the Vista Alegre Retreat Center and would like to invite you to draw and paint the flora of Brazil. Located one hour from Rio de Janeiro, this residential retreat is comprised of five homes and can accommodate 15-25 people.

If you would like to learn more about artist retreats in Brazil, subscribe to Alana’s newsletter to receive information about upcoming ecotours. Learn more about Vista Alegre Retreat Center in the color brochure available here (click on the image).

When you subscribe to Alana’s newsletter you will not only learn about upcoming retreats, but will also learn about her reforestation project.

Alana’s grassroots effort to support local growers, local families and the propagation and planting of native tree species has grown since we first learned about this project last year.

Her fundraising efforts continue and have taken the form of the iGiveTrees tree-giving initiative. Purchase a tree for $5 through the iGiveTrees program and your purchase will help buy native tree saplings at a fair trade price and help pay for their planting and maintenance. To thank you for your purchase, musicians, singers and songwriters Michael Bernard Beckwith, Rickie Byars Beckwith, Faith Rivera, Gary Malkin, Charles Holt, Ester Nicholson, Ben Dowling, Niki Haris and Jami Lula will send you music in gratitude. Learn more about this green gift-giving program and the music you will receive at iGiveTrees.com.

Information about Alana’s Brazilian workshops will be announced on this site and will be posted at the new page for Classes Near You > Brazil.

Related

View Alana’s project at WeForest.org
Alana Lea in ASBA Member Gallery

Posted in botanical art, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities, nature, Special Announcements, travel |

A Guide to Biological Illustration

November 23, 2012 by Tania Marien

Pen and ink illustrations of plants are found most often in field guides. They convey a great deal of information and are attractive works of art, even though being a “work of art” might not be their primary purpose.

Learning how to draw in pen and ink can be a challenge. Figuring out how to make marks in the proper order to create the intended effect takes some thought. After all, ink is so, so …… permanent.

One can easily find a nice selection of instructional books about working in pen and ink. Resources dedicated to drawing in the sciences, however, are a little more difficult to find but they are out there. Take for example Biological Illustration: A Guide to Drawing for Reproduction by Claire Dalby and D. H. Dalby.

This 14-page paper is a helpful introduction to drawing in pen and ink. Don’t let its age (32 years) cause you to doubt the value of the information it has. While today there may be more convenient pen and ink tools at our disposal, not to mention technologically nifty ways of creating pen and ink-like drawings with apps, nothing beats learning from people with years of experience behind them.

In their paper, Dalby & Dalby (1980) address many interesting topics. Topics such as creating diagrammatic and naturalistic images, working from dried or preserved material, and reproducing line drawings for publication. They include in their paper a 9-page guide to drawing in black and white where they discuss: dots, lines and tones; pure line drawing; tone; dots; hatching; artificial tones and tints; pens; pencils; brushes; paper; spare paper; ink; white paint; light boxes and tracing tables; linen testers and proportional dividers. I think you will find the section about hatching of particular interest. In this section, Dalby & Dalby (1980) present the fruit of the opium poppy drawn seven different ways. Here you can learn how line drawing, stippling, hatching and a combination of dots and lines can affect the appearance of a specimen.

I think you will also enjoy the troubleshooting section in which they address drawing challenges. Here Dalby & Dalby (1980) offer suggestions about how to create smooth surfaces, thin subjects, hairy subjects, small subjects, complicated subjects with too much detail, colored subjects, spirals, and intricate symmetrical subjects.

Another helpful section is the one in which the authors address printing techniques and their limitations. In this section, they provide invaluable insight that will help you plan line drawings for publication.

This paper is a wonderful addition to any drawing library. It is available online for free from the Field Studies Council. Click on the link below and scroll down to Volume 5, Number 2.

Literature Cited
Dalby, Claire and D.H. Dalby. 1980. Biological illustration: A guide to drawing for reproduction. Field Studies 5(2):307-321. Web. <http://www.field-studies-council.org/fieldstudies/date.htm> [accessed 20 November 2012]

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