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. Your botanical art will improve when you understand the subjects.

No prerequisites.

Fee: $315 member, $370 non-member (18 hours).

Date(s):

Wed, Feb. 19, 26, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski

Fri-Sun, March 6-8, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski

Thu, May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 9, 6-9 p.m.

Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski

Botany Spotlight: Ferns

Learn about the botanical attributes that make ferns unique in the plant world. Ferns are older than dinosaurs and remarkable in the diversity of their delicate growth forms. In preparation for the Ferns Uncovered class held later in March, explore these non-flowering plants that include more than 10,000 known species.

Prerequisite: Botany for the Botanical Illustrator.

Fee: $65 member, $95 non-member.

Date(s):

Tue, March 10, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski

Learn how to create a simple vegetable or habitat garden in your schoolyard, either in the ground or in containers. Get tips on gardening, plants suitable for the school year season and ideas on how to incorporate a schoolyard garden curriculum into your classroom curriculum. Appropriate for K-12 teachers.

$55, Member; $65, Nonmember

0.5 semester hours of graduate level relicensure credit from the Colorado School of Mines is available on the day of the class for an additional $40.

This unique musical experience is for children up to age 12 and their parents or caregivers. Children are invited to dress as a favorite pollinator such as a bee, butterfly or bird and dance and sing along with the musical guests.

Each family-friendly indoor concert features original and traditional songs by a different musical performer. Performers are listed below.

February: Rocky Mountain Aardvarks

March: Animal Farm

April: Jeff & Paige

Café Botanique is a part of the Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate Program and is open to Botanical Art and Illustration students, Gardens' members, the general public, academia and artists. The 30-40 minute talk starts at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by a discussion. This lecture offers one elective credit hour in the BI-program. Fee: $5.

Those lucky enough to have hiked Cherokee Ranch know that there are a wealth of habitats and a rich flora that distract your eyes downwards, even as the vistas of the rugged backbone of the Rockies and distant misty towers of downtown Denver tempt you to look further away.One thing is for sure, you will never be bored outside at Cherokee! This adventure is a walking tour, allowing time to observe and learn about the plants and birds found in this environment.

This year we are starting much earlier for better birding. But the plants will already be awake!

In Fall the Sumac and plums are turning color in the gullies, and the oaks are showing some burnished bronze. Fall is a fabulous season on Cherokee Ranch: Senecio, Aster and Goldenrod are everywhere. Blazing star paints purple spikes in the tousled mats of buffalo grass. The Spotted Towhee bird can be overlooked in the spring and summer, is more visible now since many of the spring and summer residents have started their fall migration. Two species of Jays – Scrub and Steller’s can now get the attention they deserve. They can be “missed” in spring and summer as we look at the other species.

Tour Guides: Panayoti Kelaidis and Lynn Willcockson

Price: $25, $20 member

Special Instructions: Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your own supply of water for a 2 hour adventure. Plants don't really care how you dress for the field trips but BIRDS DO!! It is easier to see birds if you DO NOT wear white or other very bright colors i.e. yellow, orange or red. Also, bring your binoculars: they can be used for both birds and plants.

Children over10 years of age are permitted in this program.

Directions and details for your hike will be emailed to your email address approximately one week before your hike.

Hike location:

Cherokee Ranch and Castle

6113 N Daniels Park RD

Sedalia, CO 80135

Those lucky enough to have hiked Cherokee Ranch know that there are a wealth of habitats and a rich flora that distract your eyes downwards, even as the vistas of the rugged backbone of the Rockies and distant misty towers of downtown Denver tempt you to look further away. We have experienced toasty winter days that were breathless and surprisingly sunny, as well as blustery days in the summer. One thing is for sure, you will never be bored outside at Cherokee! This adventure is a walking tour, allowing time to observe and learn about the plants and birds found in this environment.

This year we are starting much earlier for better birding. But the plants will already be awake!

Spring comes gently on the Ranch: pasque flowers and Easter daisies greet us as well as penstemons and numerous members of the pea family. What a great way to launch the new season than to amble through the Gambel Oaks seeking out early flowers and experiencing Spring Migration of several species of birds.

Price: $25, $20 member

Special Instructions: Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your own supply of water for a 2 hour adventure. Plants don't really care how you dress for the field trips but BIRDS DO!! It is easier to see birds if you DO NOT wear white or other very bright colors i.e. yellow, orange or red. Also, bring your binoculars: they can be used for both birds and plants.

Children over10 years of age are permitted in this program.

Directions and details for your hike will be emailed to your email address approximately one week before your hike.

Tour location:

Cherokee Ranch and Castle

6113 N Daniels Park RD

Sedalia, CO 80135

Those lucky enough to have hiked Cherokee Ranch know that there are a wealth of habitats and a rich flora that distract your eyes downwards, even as the vistas of the rugged backbone of the Rockies and distant misty towers of downtown Denver tempt you to look further away. One thing is for sure, you will never be bored outside at Cherokee! This adventure is a walking tour, allowing time to observe and learn about the plants and birds found in this environment.

Late summer is an excellent time to observe the bounty of both flora and fauna rolling through the hills of Cherokee Ranch: Aster and Goldenrod are everywhere. Blazing star paints purple spikes in the tousled mats of buffalo grass. Mid- summer bird activity continues at Cherokee as well. It is possible to see three species of hummingbirds as they stop to feed to store up energy on their way to Central America for the winter. The Mountain and Western Bluebirds have finished nesting and the young (juveniles) are seen throughout the Ranch property. There is no better place to soak up the sun than on a late summer plant hike and bird watching adventure at Cherokee Ranch.

Price: $25, $20 member

Special Instructions: Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your own supply of water for a 2 hour adventure. Plants don't really care how you dress for the field trips but BIRDS DO!! It is easier to see birds if you DO NOT wear white or other very bright colors i.e. yellow, orange or red. Also, bring your binoculars: they can be used for both birds and plants.

Children over10 years of age are permitted in this program.

Directions and details for your hike will be emailed to your email address approximately one week before your hike.

Tour location:

Cherokee Ranch and Castle

6113 N Daniels Park RD

Sedalia, CO 80135

Those lucky enough to have hiked Cherokee Ranch know that there are a wealth of habitats and a rich flora that distract your eyes downwards, even as the vistas of the rugged backbone of the Rockies and distant misty towers of downtown Denver tempt you to look further away. We have experienced toasty winter days that were breathless and surprisingly sunny, as well as blustery days in the summer. One thing is for sure, you will never be bored outside at Cherokee! This adventure is a walking tour, allowing time to observe and learn about the plants and birds found in this environment.

In the early months spring is in the air at Cherokee Ranch and Castle. Tree buds are welling buds and early flowers unfurl among the tattered grasses. Winter departs reluctantly, but this exciting season is when you can smell and almost taste spring everywhere. Snowbanks can still be lurking and mud puddles and morning fog suggests you should bring your parka and good boots! Don't forget your binoculars because many birds that left Cherokee in the  fall are starting to return including Western and Mountain  Bluebirds and many will nest in the over 200 nesting boxes which are spread over the six trails that are monitored by volunteers.  It is a great time to be outdoors at Cherokee.

Cherokee Ranch has 230 nesting boxes for Bluebirds which are spread out over six trails that are monitored by volunteers. We might even see a Swainson's Hawk which wintered in Argentina. Nesting birds will be singing to attract a mate and establish a breeding territory. It is a great time to be outdoors.

Price: $25, $20 member

Special Instructions: Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your own supply of water for a 2 hour adventure. Plants don't really care how you dress for the field trips but BIRDS DO!! It is easier to see birds if you DO NOT wear white or other very bright colors i.e. yellow, orange or red. Also, bring your binoculars: they can be used for both birds and plants.

Children over10 years of age are permitted in this program.

Directions and details for your hike will be emailed to your email address approximately one week before your hike.

Tour location:

Cherokee Ranch and Castle

6113 N Daniels Park RD

Sedalia, CO 80135

Those lucky enough to have hiked Cherokee Ranch know that there are a wealth of habitats and a rich flora that distract your eyes downwards, even as the vistas of the rugged backbone of the Rockies and distant misty towers of downtown Denver tempt you to look further away. One thing is for sure, you will never be bored outside at Cherokee! This adventure is a walking tour, allowing time to observe and learn about the plants and birds found in this environment.

This year we are starting much earlier—for better birding. But the plants will already be awake!

At the beginning of Summer the grasses have greened up, although there may still be snow on the higher peaks, when we walk through meadows full of the bounty of early summer this is the peak season for many of the loveliest wildflowers; including One-sided Penstemon (Penstemon virgatus), lupines and Monument plant. It is also peak season for the Broad-tailed Hummingbirds that have made their way back from Mexico and Central America to nest at Cherokee. We will learn how to identify the male Broad-tailed Hummingbird just by hearing it fly as it darts between scarlet gilia trumpets. Two species of bluebirds and swallows will be active at this time as well as the tiny (4 ½ in) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that has returned from its winter grounds as far away as Central America to nest at Cherokee. Summer is prime time for viewing the plant and bird life at Cherokee, folks!

Price: $25, $20 member

Special Instructions: Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your own supply of water for a 2 hour adventure. Plants don't really care how you dress for the field trips but BIRDS DO!! It is easier to see birds if you DO NOT wear white or other very bright colors i.e. yellow, orange or red. Also, bring your binoculars: they can be used for both birds and plants.

Children over10 years of age are permitted in this program.

Directions and details for your hike will be emailed to your email address approximately one week before your hike.

Tour location:

Cherokee Ranch and Castle

6113 N Daniels Park RD

Sedalia, CO 80135

Those lucky enough to have hiked Cherokee Ranch know that there are a wealth of habitats and a rich flora that distract your eyes downwards, even as the vistas of the rugged backbone of the Rockies and distant misty towers of downtown Denver tempt you to look further away.

Whoever says winter is the “dormant” season? Wise naturalists know that nature does not sleep, you can now SEE those birds flitting in the bare branches. Buds are set on everything, and there is much more than just bark, branches and berries to liven a walk. You can see two species of Chickadees and Nuthatches that never stop in their search for food and there are a few last lingering hints of flowers. You will be surprised at how many evergreens there really are; not just pines and junipers and Oregon Grape, but many of our native shrubs and forbs keep living foliage and rosettes through the winter: they are still hard at work chlorophyll pumping! You might also be surprised to know that some Dark-eyed Juncos fly all the way from the Pacific Northwest and even Canada to winter at Cherokee. Other winter species include Flicker, Woodpeckers and a resident Red-tailed Hawk. What better time and place than Cherokee Ranch in the bright, winter light. One thing is for sure, you will never be bored outside at Cherokee! This adventure is a walking tour, allowing time to observe and learn about the plants and birds found in this environment.

Price: $25, $20 member

* Plants don’t really care how you dress for the field trips but BIRDS DO!! It is easier to see birds if you DO NOT wear white or other very bright colors –i.e. yellow, orange or red. Also, bring your binoculars: they can be used for both birds and plants.

* Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your own supply of water for a 2 hour adventure.

Children over10 years of age are permitted in this program.

Directions and details for your hike will be emailed to your email address approximately one week before your hike.

Tour location:

Cherokee Ranch and Castle

6113 N Daniels Park RD

Sedalia, CO 80135

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, radiant reds 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.

Fee: $370 member, $420 non-member. Fee includes supplies (specified in the supply list).

Date(s):

Fri-Sun, Jan. 24-26, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Fri-Sun, March 27-29, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Fri-Sun, June 5-7, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (105)

Instructor: Susan DiMarchi

Color Mixing

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 your color work.

No prerequisites.

Fee: $265 member, $315 non-member.

Date(s):

Tue, Feb. 18, 25, March 3, 17, 24, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Constance Sayas

Wed, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Constance Sayas

Complex Color Layering: It’s All in the Planning

Say good-bye to muddy tones and learn how to choose the correct colors for layering and shading without losing the brilliance of the specimen’s true color. Create deep, vivid but clean colors without compromising the form of the plant. Learn in which order to apply techniques such as resist, underpainting and embossing to build up pattern, fine detail and texture. Discover how to deconstruct your plant material and plan your approach to your finished colored pencil work. Using the techniques demonstrated, you will be able to tackle multiple colored and textured plant material with confidence.

Prerequisite: Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil I or intermediate skills in colored pencils.

Fee: $365 member, $415 non-member.

Date(s): Tue-Thu, May 5-7, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Instructor: Ann Swan, UK

Ann Swan is one of the United Kingdom’s leading botanical artists working in pencil and colored pencil. She is well known for her fine detail, vibrant color and strong contemporary style. Awarded four Gold Medals from the Royal Horticultural Society, her work is represented in the prestigious Shirley Sherwood Collection and the RHS Lindley Library. She is an enthusiastic and nurturing teacher who runs regular workshops from her studio in Wiltshire and worldwide, this year visiting Spain, France, Italy and the United States. Her book “Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils” is a leader in its field.

Composing Digitally

When someone asks you to send a JPEG image at 300 DPI, do you think, “WHAT?” Unravel the lingo and learn the basics of versatile and necessary Photoshop or GIMP software. Start at the very beginning and learn to navigate the toolbars, size artwork and files, adjust color, crop and more! Use simple skills to manipulate photo references. Learn the process for producing a digital file to meet specifications for exhibit entries. Bring your computer; if you do not have Adobe Creative Cloud, you can use the freely distributed GIMP program and leave with the confidence to handle images on your own.

No prerequisites

Fee: $265 member, $315 non-member.

Date(s):

Fri-Sun, June 26-28, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Randy Raak

Composition for Botanical Illustration

The arrangement of line, shape and color in artwork is itself an art form. 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. Create your own thumbnail compositions and develop insight and expertise to enhance your future illustrations.

No prerequisites.

Fee: $265 member, $315 non-member.

Date(s):

Mon, Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 10, 17, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt

Fri-Sun, April 10-12, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Marjorie Leggitt

Conifer Cones, Textures and Tones in Carbon Dust

Push your drawing skills into a new realm. Carbon dust has been a mainstay medium for medical and scientific illustrators for more than 75 years. Using a combination of pencil lines and dust washes applied with brushes, this medium produces rich tonal renderings with the value range of charcoal and the precision of watercolor. You’ll be introduced to the various tools associated with carbon dust, including carbon pencils, brushes, blenders and fixative. Choose a subject well-suited to the technique and learn to use methodical layering to create a flawless continuous tone. Complete the finer details with pencil for a finished carbon-dust rendering.

Prerequisite: Botanical Illustration in Pencil II.

Fee: $265 member, $315 non-member.

Date(s):

Thu, May 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18, 9 a.m. – noon

Instructor: Randy Raak

Rethink those container gardens! Yes, perennials can be used successfully in containers and provide long lasting color. Learn how to utilize them and which varieties are best suited for container gardening.

Price: $18, $16 member

Instructor: Debi Borden-Miller

Debi Borden-Miller is a University of Vermont graduate with a bachelor’s in plant and soil science.

Since moving to Colorado, she has worked at Fruehauf’s Garden Center, Wilmore Nursery, Little Valley Wholesale Nursery and Welby Gardens Company where she spent a total of 28 years in sales and marketing.

Debi is a board member of the Colorado Garden & Home Show and represents the Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association on the management team of ProGreen Expo. She also serves on several CO Nursery and Greenhouse Association committees and is a long-time board member and former president of the Colorado Greenhouse Growers Association and GreenCo.

Do you need fresh ideas for your pots and containers? Here at the Gardens, we have outdoor containers year-round that go beyond the expected with novel texture and color combinations. Explore the variety of fun and unexpected container gardens at the Gardens with a docent-led tour to learn how to create your own edible, fragrant or pollinator-attracting containers.

Price: $16, $12 member, $10 student

Special instructions: Tours are outdoors; dress accordingly for the weather. Water, sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended. Please bring booking confirmation. Meet guide in the lobby of the Boettcher Memorial Center after entering through the Gardens main entrance.

Notes: Prices include admission to the Gardens. Tours with low registration are subject to cancellation.

Rocky Mountain Gardening Elective

Do you want to beautify your landscape and save water at the same time?

Prepare to go into detail about how to replace some of your Kentucky bluegrass lawn with water-smart perennial and ornamental grasses, discuss soil types and irrigation adjustment requirements, and dream up some design ideas in this exciting class.

Price: $29, $24 member

Instructor: Curtis Manning

Photo: Winger Photography