Botany for the Botanical Illustrator
What is the difference between a carpel and a pistil? Where can I find the stamen? The science of the subjects you draw determines what you see! Put away your pencils for this enlightening lab class designed specifically for students of botanical illustration. Take a close look at plant anatomy and learn to recognize botanical details that will make your drawings more accurate and realistic. Learn plant morphology through detailed instruction and supporting visuals. All of your botanical art will impr ove when you understand the subjects. Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member. No prerequisites.
*Wed., Feb. 22, 29, March 7, 14, 21, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski
*Mon., April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski
*Mon. – Fri., July 23 – 27, 2 - 5 p.m.
Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski
Composition for Botanical Illustration
The arrangement of line, shape and color in artwork is an art form in itself. The difference between a pleasant picture and amazing artwork is often found in composition. This course begins with a study of recognized masters and contemporary illustrators. Learn how to use compositional elements and principles in your botanical illustration. Exercises to create your own thumbnail compositions develop insight and expertise to enhance all of your future illustrations. No prerequisites.
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member
*Wed., Jan.11, 18, 25, Feb.1, 15, 9 a.m. - noon
Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt
Fee: $205 member, $260 non-member.
*Tue., June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 3, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt
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.
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member.
*Tue., Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb.7, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Karla Beatty
*Weekend Workshop
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member.
Fri. – Sun., Feb. 17 – 19, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Renee Jorgensen
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member.
*Tue., March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Renee Jorgensen
*Weekend Workshop
Fee: $205 member, $260 non-member.
Fri. – Sun., June 1 - 3, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Constance Sayas
Fee: $205 member, $260 non-member.
*Mon. – Fri., July 23 – 27, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Libby Kyer
Offsite at Arvada Center
Tue., Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Instructor: Renee Jorgensen
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
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member.
*Tue., Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Karla Beatty
Fee: $205 member, $260 non-member.
*Wed., June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Rubin
Perfecting Perspective
Do you shy away from complicated plants? Even experienced illustrators sometimes struggle with foreshortening and simplify their subjects to eliminate difficult elements. Work with botanical subjects that demonstrate each aspect of perspective and learn techniques for seeing and depicting it accurately. Complete a final piece that shows your new understanding of perspective principles. The class will work entirely in graphite pencil, but the principles apply to all art media. Gain confidence in your drafting skills and improve all of your drawings from this class forward. Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member. Prerequisite: Pencil I
*Weekend Workshop
Fri. – Sun., Jan. 27 - 29, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt
*Wed., March 28, April 4, 18, 25, May 2, 9 a.m. - noon
Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt
Botanical Illustration in Pen and Ink I
Pen and ink is at the heart of botanical illustration. Expand your drawing repertoire as you learn techniques to create line, form and texture in black and white. “Expressive line” and “stipple” become part of your artistic vocabulary as you practice this traditional medium with modern and versatile technical pens. Step-by-step instruction, demonstration and practice will give you the foundation you need to draw any botanical subject accurately and skillfully.
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member. Prerequisite: Pencil I
*Wed., Jan. 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1, 15, 1 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt
* Mon., March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 9 a.m. - noon, 9 a.m. - noon
Instructor: Renee Jorgensen
Botanical Illustration in Pen and Ink II
Take your pen and ink skills to a new level of sophistication. Explore the Gardens’ limitless world of color, texture and complex botany to incorporate this information into black and white illustrations. Working with both technical pen and traditional quill, learn advanced techniques to make strokes mimic the fuzz on a fern, the down in a milkweed pod or the mottled colors of a variegated begonia. Learn how to layer and manipulate lines and stipples to develop a full range of value, texture and atmospheric perspective. Pen techniques take on new meaning as you flesh out a final inked illustration of a plant of your choice. Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Pen and Ink I
*Tue., Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt
*Thurs., May 3, 17, 24, 31, June 7, 9 a.m. - noon.
Instructor: Renee Jorgensen
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. Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member. No prerequisites
*Weekend Workshop
Fri. – Sun., Feb. 3 – 5, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Rubin
*Weekend Workshop
Fri. – Sun., Apr. 13 – 15, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Rubin
*Weekend Workshop
Fri. – Sun., May 4 - 6, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Rubin
Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil I
You’ve learned to layer colored pencil, now learn techniques to draw effectively in this medium. Apply your drawing skills and learn new methods specific to colored pencils. Techniques include layering, building and burnishing in color. This versatile, portable medium is perfect for sketching on location as well as producing studio pieces. Learn through instruction, demonstration and practice on small studies of botanical subjects. You’ll be ready to produce a finished plate in Colored Pencil II. Prerequisites: Pencil I and Color Layering for Colored Pencil
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member.
*Thur., Jan 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 9 a.m. - noon
Instructor: Susan DiMarchi
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member.
*Mon., March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 1 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Susan DiMarchi
Fee: $205 member, $260 non-member.
*Thur., June 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12, 6 – 9 p.m..
Instructor: Susan DiMarchi
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. Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member. 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.
Instructor: Susan Rubin
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. Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member. No prerequisites.
*Thur., Jan. 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 1 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Constance Sayas
*Wed., April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Constance Sayas
Note: Create your own hardbound workbook for this class in Coptic Binding: Make a Color Mixing Journal, Sat. March 24, 9 a.m. – 4 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
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member.
*Thur., Feb. 16, 23, March 1, 8, 15, 1 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Constance Sayas
Fee: $205 member, $260 non-member.
*Wed., May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Karla Beatty
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 a forgiving medium. Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Mixing for Artists and Watercolor I
Fee: $192 member, $245 non-member.
*Thur., March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 26, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Karla Beatty
Fee: $205 member, $260 non-member.
*Mon., June 4, 11, 18, July 2, 9, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Constance Sayas
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:
For course credit 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).
