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.

Prerequisites: Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I, Botany for the Botanical Illustrator, Composition for Botanical Illustration, Perfecting Perspective.

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

Date(s):

Wed, March 25, April 1, 15, 22, 29, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Constance Sayas

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.

Prerequisites: Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I, Botany for the Botanical Illustrator, Composition for Botanical Illustration, Perfecting Perspective.

Fee: Member $310, Non-Member $405

Date(s): Fri-Sat, June 26-27, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

*All assignments are to be completed no later than July 27, 2020*

Instructor: Constance Sayas

The Off-Site Learning Approach

Following the two-day concentrated classroom instruction, three internet sessions cover the remaining course elements. The successful completion of final artwork (a plate) one month (30 days) after the conclusion of the on-site session is the culmination of each of the distance learning courses.

 Students must use a scanner or digital camera to record their weekly achievements and email the high-resolution image to the instructor and the school manager. All student questions, as well as instructor answers, recommendations and suggestions are handled by email. The student must send a scan of the final plate to the instructor and the school manager in order to receive credit for the course.

Botanical Illustration in Watercolor Pencil I

This class will explore the versatility of watercolor pencils. We’ll begin with color studies to explore the qualities of watercolor pencils as they translate from pencil into liquid color. You will experiment with graphite, ink and colored pencil as complementary media. You’ll use these new skills to create a finished botanical plate in this fresh and fluid medium.

Prerequisites: Light on Form, Color Mixing, Color Layering for Colored Pencil.

Fee: $265 member, $310 non-member.

Date(s):

Thu, Jan. 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 1-4 p.m.

Instructor: Renee Jorgensen

Rocky Mountain Gardening Required Course Group I

This class provides an overview of basic plant biology, including structure, development, transpiration, photosynthesis and plant chemistry.

Students will gain essential knowledge for acquiring high-level pruning skills, for designing gardens based on specific plant requirements of the Rocky Mountain region, and for understanding interactions between plants and their microenvironments.

Required Text- Botany for Gardeners by Brian Capon, found online or in most book stores.

Price: $255, $213 members

Instructor: Sheridan Samano

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.

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.

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

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: $310 member, $405 non-member.

In-class sessions: Fri-Sat, Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

*All assignments are to be completed no later than March 4, 2020.*

Instructor: Constance Sayas

The Off-Site Learning Approach

Following the two-day concentrated classroom instruction, three internet sessions cover the remaining course elements. The successful completion of final artwork (a plate) one month (30 days) after the conclusion of the on-site session is the culmination of each of the distance learning courses.

Students must use a scanner or digital camera to record their weekly achievements and email the high-resolution image to the instructor and the school manager. All student questions, as well as instructor answers, recommendations and suggestions are handled by email. The student must send a scan of the final plate to the instructor and the school manager in order to receive credit for the course.

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

By spring, the food reserves were running low and prairie families were eager for the return of spring and fresh greens. On the wood stove in the McClean Soddy at the Plains Conservation Center, we make a common winter dinner of root vegetable stew, cornbread and apple pie. Recipes and all supplies provided. Appropriate for adults and children ages 12 and up.

Price:  Member $20, Non-member $24

Location: Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO 80013

All levels of Cub Scouts are invited to spend a day at the Gardens exploring plants as they prepare for the changing seasons. Visit the Gardens with your pack or as a family and investigate the natural world.

Scout Exploration Days offer scout troops the opportunity to explore plant-based themes through a variety of hands-on activities and take-home projects. Each Exploration Day offers several activity stations set up throughout the Gardens for groups to explore. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it!

Audience: Cub Scout (All Levels)

Price: $12.50 per scout (includes admission to the Gardens). One adult (troop leader or parent) for every five scouts is admitted free of charge. Additional adults and non-participating siblings pay $7. Non participating siblings do not participate in the take home activities. If siblings want to participate please purchase a scout ticket.

Special Instructions: Activity stations will be located outdoors. On colder days or days with inclement weather programs will utilize the indoor spaces of the Gardens. We recommend the scouts dress in layers and bring a hat, water bottle and sunscreen with them. You will receive an email with check in information a few days before your scheduled visit.

Scout Exploration Day Refund Policy: Cancellations more than one week prior to the scheduled program are subject to a 15% cancellation fee. Cancellations with less than one week’s notice are non-refundable.

Discover the scrumptious side of international vegetarian cuisine. We’ll begin with a savory salad and move on to black bean and sweet potato tacos with avocado crema, a spicy cashew veggie stir fry, a pesto and roasted veggie pizza and end with a sweet. Eat your veggies and love doing it! Recipes and full meal included.

Price: $60, $55 member

Instructor: Susan Evans

Photo Credit: WordRidden (Flickr)

Learn to create a solid digital photography workflow using Adobe LightRoom. This excellent program can help you organize your photo archives and process your images into exciting and personal images. Scott will take you from camera set-up through image output. All photography skill levels welcome. Some computer experience required.

Price: $50, $45 member

Instructor: Scott Dressel-Martin, official photographer for the Denver Botanic Gardens

Skill level: All photography skill levels are welcome. Some computer experience is required.

Presented and Managed by the City of Aurora

Immerse yourself in the beauty and history of the high plains shortgrass prairie through a guided nature hike. Experience the prairie in the soft morning light while catching some breathtaking views of the Colorado front range and the chance to view resident wildlife.

The City of Aurora's Parks, Recreation & Open Space department's mission is to encourage active lifestyles and create healthy environments for people, nature and community.

Price: $5

Location: Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO 80013 Phone 303-326-8380