(Please note: Material list is linked to the title of each class)

REQUIRED COURSES

Botanical Illustration in Pencil I

Learn to draw! Begin with a brief history and an overview of the specific elements of botanical illustration. Learn the skills of careful observation and realistic drawing in graphite pencil, including line drawing, shading and perspective. Step-by-step, added techniques help you render accurate perspective, texture and detail. This is the entry course for every program student and a prerequisite for all required courses to follow. You'll emerge from this class with the tools you need to draw anything. No prerequisites.

*Weekend Workshop

Fri. – Sun., June 1 - 3, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Color Mixing for Artists

The first step to watercolor painting is mixing colors. Learn a system for combining colors consistently to eliminate frustrating trial and error. Exercises, demonstrations and discussion will show you how to achieve the broadest possible spectrum. Learn about paint properties and important information about choosing pigments. Practice mixing colors to match a variety of plant material. You’ll gain confidence and skills to improve all of your color work. No prerequisites.

*Thur., Jan. 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 1 – 4 p.m.

*Wed., April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 6 – 9 p.m.

Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I

Become part of the watercolor botanical tradition. Combine drawing skills and your knowledge of color mixing as you discover the delight of putting brush to paper to learn the specific techniques of transparent watercolor. Instruction, demonstration and practical exercises will guide you through a variety of watercolor techniques: flat and graded washes, highlights and dry brush detail. Learn to build washes for depth of tone and shading, and how to create soft and hard edges. With these foundational skills you’ll be ready to create a finished plate in Watercolor II. Prerequisites: Pencil I and Color Mixing for Artists

*Thur., Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 8, 15, 1 – 4 p.m.

Botanical Illustration in Watercolor II

Watercolor basics got you started, now develop your confidence as you work toward completing a finished plate from a live specimen in this most traditional of botanical media. The emphasis here is on bringing it all together. Learn and refine additional techniques through instruction, demonstration and practice, with special attention given to layering, shading and building form. Discover brush techniques and colors that enhance perspective and depth. Follow painting steps through completion, from broad washes to final detail. Learn how to fix mistakes and understand why watercolor is forgiving medium. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Mixing for Artists and Watercolor I.

*Mon., June 4, 11, 18, July 2, 9, 6 – 9 p.m.

ELECTIVE COURSES

Water media

One Big Leaf – Coccoloba or Cecropia

Whether the leaf is from Coccoloba or Cecropia, this plant part is fascinating with curls and twists. It can be big and bold with lots of tiny details, colored with rich earthy tones. You will learn to create a unified whole and understand the term “gestalt” used in art: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” After learning how other masters have portrayed similar subjects in botanical illustration you’ll explore a variety of traditional watercolor techniques including wet-on-wet and drybrush. You will be surprised to produce a final painting that addresses the complexity of the detail while the simplicity of a big leaf is retained. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Mixing for Artists, Watercolor I

*Thur., Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 8, 15, 9 a.m. – noon

Drawing on Tradition: William Bartram Explorations

When William Bartram returned to Philadelphia from a four-year botanical exploration in the eight southern colonies in 1777, he established the first nursery in U.S. and printed the first plant catalog. He did this together with his brother John, who was at that time running their father’s botanic garden, Bartram’s Garden. Explore the history of American botanical art. Learn about the art and science of William Bartram, an early American naturalist and explorer and how he was influenced by the English Mark Catesby and George Edwards. Begin with a focus on composition and learn to edit for best effect. Demonstrations and individual guidance will show you strategies for combining watercolor techniques including wet-on-wet, washes and controlled dry brush techniques. Create your own watercolor plate in keeping with the spirit of naturalist William Bartram. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Mixing for Artists and Watercolor I

*Mon., May 7, 14, 21, June 4, 11, 1 – 4 p.m. 

Five Easy Ways to ENROLL

1. By telephone: 720-865-3580
2. By fax: 720-865-3685 (24 hours)
3. In person: Visit the education office at the gardens, 1007 York Street,      9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
4. By mail: Attention: Registrar, 909 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
5. 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.

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 % of a course must be attended (at least 12 hours of a 15-hour course).