REQUIRED COURSES
Botanical Illustration in Pencil II
Simple and classic, pencil drawing is a timeless art form. Expand on the drawing skills you learned in Pencil I as you reinforce and refine your knowledge of graphite pencil. Learn additional techniques for shading, texture, perspective, depth and composition. A good drawing is the basis of botanical illustration in any medium. Group instruction and individual attention are tailored to help you complete a botanical plate in this subtle and striking medium.
Prerequisite: Pencil I
*Wed., June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 6 – 9 p.m.
Color Layering for Colored Pencil
Colored pencil pr esents a special challenge: mixing color directly on your drawing! Learn to use a simple color mixing method adapted to the application of colored pencils. Two-, three- and four-color mixing will get you to the gorgeous greens and luscious lilacs you’ve been missing. Learn to determine shadow colors for vibrant results. Practice color matching with a variety of plant material as you create your own, extensive color workbook to speed color selection and application for all future colored pencil drawings. No prerequisites
*Weekend Workshop
Fri. – Sun., Feb. 3 – 5, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
*Weekend Workshop
Fri. – Sun., Apr. 13 – 15, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
*Weekend Workshop
Fri. – Sun., May 4 - 6, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil II
Take your colored pencil skills to the next level and become pr oficient in this fun, versatile medium. Work through a step-by-step pr ocess to create a pr eparatory layered drawing. Learn techniques to create texture, detail and depth to enhance your subject. Experiment with different surfaces and solvents for blending and shading. Add depth with atmospheric perspective and learn finishing techniques that will make your drawings pop. Individual attention will guide you to create a finished botanical plate. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Layering for Colored Pencil and Colored Pencil I
*Mon., Feb. 20, 27, March 5, 12, 19, 1 – 4 p.m.
*Thur., May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 1 – 4 p.m.
ELECTIVE COURSES
Matting and Floating Artwork
Preparing your work can be fun and affordable if you know the tricks and techniques. This one-day workshop covers mat-cutting and inexpensive framing options. Start with an overview of equipment, materials and measuring. Learn to float your artwork for an inexpensive alternative to matting. Demonstrations and handouts show you how to measure and cut your own single, double and multi-opening mats. Give it a try! Use the instructor’s mat-cutter and materials to cut a single mat and float your own work. You’ll go home with two pieces ready to frame. Then come to the framing class and put it all together! No prerequisites
*Fri., July 13, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Framing Botanical Art
Get your work off the drawing board and onto the wall! This one-day workshop covers the options that will help you to present your art to its best advantage. Learn the steps to the conservation techniques that preserve your pieces in an acid-free environment. We’ll cover all the details of framing styles and materials, and you’ll frame a small piece to practice. Whether you decide to frame it yourself or work with a professional, you’ll be more confident in your framing decisions. No prerequisites
*Sat., July 14, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Drawing Techniques
Light on Form
Take your drawings from flat to fabulous. The secret to portraying light and shadow on your subjects lies in understanding the scientific method of lighting as it applies to different forms. Beginning with basic geometric shapes, refine your skills in showing light and volume on any subject. The class will work entirely in graphite pencil, but the principles apply to all other media. As you progress to fruits and vegetables, to leaves and flowers, and to entire plants with complex shapes, you will overcome the obstacles in creating three-dimensional drawings. Prerequisites: Pencil I
*Mon., Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb. 13, 9 a.m. – noon
Face Your Fears
Spines are scary? A tumble of leaves make you tremble? Huge is horrible and tiny is terrible? You are not alone! Every botanical artist faces difficult drawing and complicated color. Bring your worst worries and develop strategies for unraveling the tough stuff. Work as a group in a relaxed atmosphere to expose and conquer whatever presents a challenge when you sit down to draw. With effective tools and a step-by-step plan to work around any issue, you’ll be brave enough to draw any subject in graphite or colored pencil. A small portrait of the subject you formerly feared will bolster your confidence to tackle the tough ones any time. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Layering for Colored Pencil and Colored Pencil I
*Tue., Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 14, 1 – 4 p.m.
Color Layering II: Complementary Colors
Magic or mud? If your complements aren’t getting compliments, it’s time to delve into the effective use of color wheel opposites. See how adjacent complements create brilliance and layered complements dull and shade. Learn to discern hidden complements and put them to work for you. Create a finished piece that shows off your mastery of complementary color and earns plenty of compliments! Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Layering for Colored Pencil and Colored Pencil I
*Mon., June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9 a.m. – noon
Colored Pencil
Drawing on Tradition: Georgia O’Keeffe
Be adventurous! Bold color and big blooms dominated the flower paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe. In the 1920s, her extreme close-up views revolutionized the tradition of flower painting. Learn about the artist’s motivation and methods and then select your own bloom to super-size. Combine pan pastel with colored pencil to create a powerful statement of composition and color on a larger scale. Demonstrations and instruction will guide you to complete a big bloom in bold color. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Layering for Colored Pencil, Colored Pencil I, Colored Pencil II.
*Tue., Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, 6 – 9 p.m.
Art Nouveau: Botanical Tile Designs
Characterized by curvaceous lines and a focus on nature, the Art Nouveau movement was in part an expr ession of beauty in the everyday object. Artists such as Alphonse Mucha and Charles Rennie Macintosh created fervor for stylized flowers. Discover principles of Art Nouveau design and how to make it your own. Working with colored pencils, create a design that will span a panel of tiles that might decorate a backsplash, a fireplace or a trivet. Don’t stop there! Tile-pr inting pr ofessionals will make your finished work into beautiful, functional tiles.
Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Layering for Colored Pencil, Colored Pencil I, Colored Pencil II.
Thur., Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 8, 15, 6 – 9 p.m.
Flowering Fruit Trees in Colored Pencil
Branch out! The delicate blossoms of spring fruit trees beckon you to step outside the box and capture the beauty of a branch in colored pencil. See how other artists have handled the subject and learn composition tricks to place a large branch on a page. Working from a combination of plant material and your own photographs, you’ll learn how combine and interpret photos, clarify details and re-light the subject for a fresh, outdoor feel. Celebrate spring with an adventurous plant portrait. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Pencil II, Color Layering for Colored Pencil, Colored Pencil I.
*Wed., May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 9 a.m. – noon
Plants in Japanese Paper: Washi
The tradition of plant-based papermaking in Japan dates to the 7th century, nearly 600 years ahead of Europe . Washi ( Wa for Japanese and shi for paper) was traditionally produced by hand and are considered some of the finest in the world. Learn about the plants and production of various Japanese papers from local expert Patricia Branstead of Kozo Fine Art Materials and select papers with embedded plant material or printed plant images as your inspiration. Create a traditional plant portrait of the plant within the paper, using your choice of media. Decide how you will incorporate the Japanese paper into your artwork to complete the story. Collage? Background? Mat? Frame? We’ll show you the techniques, so the only limit is your imagination.
Prerequisites: Pencil I, Any Level II course with the respective prerequisites
*Wed., June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 1 – 4 p.m.
Five Easy Ways to ENROLL
- By telephone: 720-865-3580
- By fax: 720-865-3685 (24 hours)
- In person: Visit the education office at the gardens,
- By mail: Attention: Registrar, 909 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
- Online
Refund and Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations more than one week prior to a class are subject to a 15% cancellation fee. Cancellations with less than one week notice are non-refundable. Please consider your payment a donation to the Gardens.
After Course has Commenced:
Instructors have no authority to grant or promise refunds. In the event of a family emergency or because of inclement weather circumstances, the student can later complete the course by taking the missed classes from the same instructor and notifying the program manager two weeks before the course starts. If 60-80 percent of the course is missed because of the family emergency or the inclement weather circumstances, the course can be re-taken from any instructor in that media if space is available.
These policies apply to all registrations in the Botanical Art and Illustration Program. Selected courses have additional cancellation and refund requirements printed with the course description. Denver Botanic Gardens regrets that it cannot make exceptions.
Certificate credit requirements for individual courses:
Attendance is required at the first class for all courses. In order to receive credit, 80 percent of a course must be attended (at least 12 hours of a 15-hour course).