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 improve when you understand the subjects.
Fee $185 member, $223 non-member. All students are welcome, with no prerequisites.
Course #09CBI110-1
Mon. – Fri., July 27 - 31, 1 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski
Course #09CBI110-2
Tue., Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski
Composition for Botanical Illustration
The arrangement of lines, shapes and color in artwork is an art form in itself. The difference between a pleasant picture and amazing artwork is often found in composition. Using a visual presentation, this course begins with a study of recognized masters and contemporary illustrators. Learn to how build botanical composition by using compositional elements and principles. Exercises in creating your own sample compositions gives insight and expertise to enhance all of your future illustrations.Fee $185 member, $223 non-member. All students are welcome, with no prerequisites.
Course #09CBI120
Wed., Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18, 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 portray perspective, texture and detail. This is the entry course for every program student and the prerequisite for all courses to follow. You'll emerge from this class with the tools you need to draw anything.
Fee $185 member, $223 non-member. All students are welcome, with no prerequisites. Note: If you have no previous drawing experience, consider starting with Introduction to Drawing.
Course #09CBI100-1
Mon. – Fri., July 27 - 31, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Karla Beatty
Course #09CBI100-2
Mon., Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12, 1 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Connie Sayas
Course #09CBI100-3
Weekend Workshop
Fri. – Sun., Nov. 20 – 22, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Karla Beatty
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, composition and style. A good drawing is the basis of botanical illustration in any medium. Group instruction and individual attention are tailored to help you complete a finished botanical plate in this subtle and striking medium.
Fee $185 member, $223 non-member. Prerequisite: Pencil I
Course #09CBI200-1
Mon., Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Susan Rubin
Course #09CBI200-2
Wed., Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Karla Beatty
Perfecting Perspective
Do you shy away from the complicated plants? Even experienced illustrators sometimes struggle with foreshortening and simplify their subjects to eliminate the difficult elements. Learn to see the correct shape of an ellipse and find the angle of the element pointing to you, to create the illusion of 3-D depth on a 2-D surface. You’ll work with botanical subjects that demonstrate each aspect of perspective and learn techniques for seeing and depicting perspective accurately. Complete a final piece that shows your new understanding of perspective principles. The class will work entirely in graphite pencil, as the principles apply to all art media. Gain confidence in your drafting skills and improve all of your drawings from this class forward.
Fee $185 member, $223 non-member. Prerequisite: Pencil I
Course #09CBI240-1
Tue., Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt
Course #09CBI240-2
Weekend Workshop
Fri. – Sun., Nov. 13 – 15, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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 illustration 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 $185 member, $223 non-member. Prerequisite: Pencil I
Course #09CBI210-1
Tue., Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Libby Kyer
Botanical Illustration in Pen and Ink II
Take your pen and ink skills to a new level of sophistication. Explore the garden’s limitless world of color, textures and complex botany, and incorporate this information into your black and white illustrations. Working with both technical pen and quill, learn advanced techniques to make strokes mimic the fuzz on a fern, the down of a milkweed pod, 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 from a plant of your choice.
Fee $185 member, $223 non-member. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Pen and Ink I
Course #09CBI310
Thurs., Oct. 22, 29, Nov., 5, 12, 19, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Libby Kyer
Color Layering for Colored Pencil
Colored pencil presents 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 gauge shadow colors for vibrant results. Match 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 $185 member, $223 non-member. Prerequisite: Pencil I
Course #09CBI250
Fri. – Sun., Oct. 9 – 11, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Rubin
Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil I
Explore this modern medium! 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.
Fee $185 member, $223 non-member. Prerequisites: Pencil I and Color Layering for Colored Pencil
Course #09CBI220-1
Wed., Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Libby Kyer
Course #09CBI220-2
Tue., Oct. 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Rubin
Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil II
Take your colored pencil skills to the next level. Walk through the Six Step process to create a preparatory layered drawing. Learn about grisaille and techniques to create texture, detail and depth to enhance your subject. Experiment with different surfaces, blending and shading. Sample special effects you can achieve with colored pencil on Mylar, colored and dark grounds. Group instruction and individual attention help you to become proficient in this versatile medium. Pull all of your colored pencil skills together to create a finished botanical plate.
Fee $185 member, $223 non-member. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Layering for Colored Pencil and Colored Pencil I
Course #09CBI320
Tue., Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 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 so you can eliminate frustrating trial and error. Lots of 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 $185 member, $223 non-member. All students are welcome, with no prerequisites.
Course #09CBI103-1
Mon., Sept 14, 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 6 – 9 p.m.
Instructor: Constance Sayas
Course #09CBI103-2
Mon., Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Constance Sayas
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 and 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.
Fee $185 member, $223 non-member. Prerequisites: Pencil I and Color Mixing for Artists
Course #09CBI230-1
Thurs., Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Constance Sayas
Botanical Illustration in Watercolor II
Watercolor basics got you started—now develop your confidence and personal style. 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. You’ll work toward completing a finished plate from a live specimen in this most traditional of botanical media.
Fee $145 member, $176 non-member. Prerequisites: Pencil I, Color Mixing for Artists and Watercolor I
Course #09CBI330
Tue., Oct. 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 9 a.m. – noon
Instructor: Karla Beatty
Five Easy Ways to Register
By telephone: 720-865-3580
By fax: 720-865-3685 (24 hours)
In person: Visit the education office at the gardens, 1005 York Street, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
By mail: Attention: Registration Coordinator, 909 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
Online: www.botanicgardens.org
Refund and Cancellation Policy:
Refund requests must be received 3 business days before the start of the program. Please note that some programs may have earlier deadlines: these will be listed in the course description. The registration fee will be refunded, but with a 10 percent processing fee (up to $10). A refund is issued in the form of a credit on file to be used towards a future class, a check or a credit to the credit card used to register. Less than 3 business days before the program starts, registration fees are not transferrable or refundable. There will be no refund for no-shows.
After Course has Commenced:
As all requirements have been prepared in expectation of your attendance, no refunds are possible. Instructors have no authority to grant or promise refunds. In the event of 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 instructor 2 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).
