ArtPlantae Today

Recent heavy rainfall has changed the description of this illustration course in California’s Mojave Desert. Get ready for an infusion of color!

Botanical Illustration of Native Desert Flora (Art X454.5) – April 9-11, 2010; Friday (8 PM – 10 PM), Saturday (8 AM – 5 PM), Sunday (8 AM – 4 PM). As much a course in “art for botanists” as it will be “botany for artists”, this class will take place during the height of the desert blooming period. After this winter’s great precipitation, look forward to exciting plein-aire drawing and watercolor painting! In addition, the basics of line control, proportion, color, focusing/perception skills and plant identification will be reinforced with detailed dissection work in a well-equipped lab. This field study class will be based at the Desert Studies Center at Soda Springs (aka Zzyzx). Click on the link above for complete details.

This update has also been posted to Classes Near You > California.

New at The Elizabethan Gardens at Classes Near You > North Carolina:

• Botanical Drawing & Painting at The Elizabethan Gardens –
  April 20 – 22, 2010; 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM.

  Spend an enjoyable two or three days, using your artistic skills to illustrate and create a botanical portrait working from your choice of flora from The Elizabethan Garden’s greenhouses and grounds. Learn basic drawing skills, observation, and tea wash watercolor technique to create a botanical painting.

  The first day will include an introduction to plant anatomy by the garden’s science educator, Shannon Brooks, as it relates to botanical painting. Learn about your wonderful specimen, leaf by leaf, petal by petal, and create a line drawing to paint. Work at your own pace with the instructor as your guide.

  Linda will demonstrate how to take a drawing from a sketch to a finished illustration complete with details. You will receive assistance and encouragement along the way and interact with other talented artists in a very creative and supportive learning environment. All levels of student are welcome to enroll. If you would prefer to work from a drawing rather than a garden specimen, please contact Linda and she will be happy to provide a drawing, so you may focus on the watercolor techniques. Media include graphite, colored pencil, and watercolor. Limit: 10.

  The course is offered in two time sessions options:

  Two-day Workshop: $75.00 per student
  Three-day Workshop: $110 per student, five student minimum

  Instructor: Linda C. Miller
  Register: The Elizabethan Gardens, (252) 473-3244
  Website: www.elizabethangardens.org

• Botanical Drawing & Painting at The Elizabethan Gardens – September 21 – 23, 2010 (see course description above)

Updates at Classes Near You > North Carolina:

North Carolina Botanical Garden
www.ncbg.unc.edu
Certificate students will receive a well-rounded education enhancing their scientific understanding of plants, their knowledge of visual arts theory, and the way they approach drawing and painting plant portraits. The complete schedule for 2010 and an overview of this program’s requirements can be obtained here. Upcoming classes include:

• Intermediate Watercolor – January 12, 19, 26 and February 2
• Basic Botany – February 5, 12, 19, 26 and March 5, 12
• Portfolio Preparation – February 1, 8, 15, 22
• Intermediate Colored Pencil – February 17, 24 and March 3, 10
• Basic Drawing – March 1, 8, 15, 22
• Fast Class: How to Paint a Flat Wash – March 21

Now at Classes Near You >International > England:

Farncombe Estate
Weekend Courses & Events in the Cotswolds
www.farncombeestate.co.uk
A 300-acre privately-owned parkland in the Cotswolds. Host to weekend classes in a wide variety of subjects. There is even a bed-and-breakfast option! Follow their blog or become a Fan of their Facebook page to learn more about this unique learning opportunity.

• Botanical Painting in Watercolour or Gouache – July 16 – 18, 2010. Learn different ways to create detailed botanical paintings using watercolor or gouache. Work light to dark or dark to light. Regardless of how you choose to proceed, you’ll learn how to how to use a “dry brush” technique and mix colors in both media. This class is taught by natural science illustrator, Simon Williams. View all course details here.

It looks like someone out there gets it. As much as we might like to be able to follow our favorite artist across the globe, most of us can’t find the time to clear off that horizontal surface that is supposed to function as our “studio.” The Ku-ring-gai Art Centre in Roseville NSW, Australia, is helping to ease never-ending time management issues by offering weekend classes for busy artists.

Next month, Diana Bilderbeck-Frost, a member of the Botanical Art Society of Australia, will teach a one-day workshop dedicated to drawing flowers. Read about this workshop and others at the Weekend Artist – Art Classes for Busy Artists.

StoneHouse Studio
www.corinnelapincohen.com
Corinne Lapin-Cohen is pleased to announce that StoneHouse Studio in Katonah, NY is the new location for ALL of her classes. Each seven-week course costs $250. Morning sessions occur from 9:15 am – 12:15 pm. Afternoon sessions occur from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm.

Beginning Drawing – Wednesday mornings, February 3 – March 24, 2010. No class March 3rd.
Intermediate/Advanced Watercolor – Thursday mornings,
February 4 – March 25, 2010. No class March 4th.
Drawing and Painting – Thursday afternoons, February 4 – March 25, 2010. No class March 4th.
Beginning Drawing – Wednesday mornings, April 7 – May 19, 2010.
Intermediate/Advanced Watercolor – Thursday mornings,
April 8 – May 20, 2010.
Drawing and Painting – Thursday afternoons, April 8 – May 20, 2010.

This schedule can also be viewed at Classes Near You > New York.