Merced Sun-Star, 3/7/08, Sketches used to identify fleeing avian suspects, By Dhyana Levey
Podcast of presentation about the natural history of the Sierra Nevada, made at Sierra College, May 6. 2006
-click on "Sierracasts" and then "John Muir Laws- Sierra Project"
Schedule
of Classes and Presentations
January 2008
January 15, California Native Plant Society Milo Baker Chapter (Sonoma County) Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist
John Muir Laws will present an illustrated lecture about the natural history of the Sierra Nevada, and the process of creating a field guide. This engaging program will highlight some of the beautifully and amazing species in the Sierra and the relationships between them. Laws will also discuss some of the conservation challenges in the Sierra Nevada and what stewards of nature are doing to confront them.
Book signing to follow the lecture
Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center (not to be confused with Luther Burbank House & Gardens), 2050 Yulupa Ave. Santa Rosa 7:30 PM
January 17, California Native Plant Society Monterey Bay Chapter Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist (see description above) Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 7:00 PM
January 19-20 Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival
January 19, Field Sketching Shorebirds
Learn to make quick field sketches of shorebirds from wildlife artist John Muir Laws. Then go out in the field to practice these techniques. Learn how to proportion and balance waders, changing neck shapes, drawing heads and bills, simplifying complex feather patterns, etc. Bring: soft pencil, colored pencils or watercolors, small sketch book (8 1⁄2 x 11”), portable seat, water, carry bag. 7:30am-12:00noon Community Center Field Trip
January 19, Field Sketching Landbirds
This hands-on workshop teaches you tricks to get down the shape and proportion of birds in a quick sketch and then fill in details with an improved understanding of bird anatomy. Wildlife artist John Muir Laws will include proportion basics, drawing wings, the bright-eye trick and feather tricks of the head. Bring soft pencil, colored pencils or watercolors, small sketch book (about 8 1⁄2 x 11”), portable seat, water, carry bag. Caravan. Easy. 1:00pm-4:00pm Natural History Museum Presentation & Field Trip
January 20, Sketching Waterfowl – laguna lake & oso flaco
Learn to make quick field sketches of waterfowl at nearby locations with wildlife artist John Muir Laws. Become more observant and document your bird experience, maybe for a rare-bird sighting. No previous drawing experience is necessary. Bring: soft pencil, colored pencils or watercolors, small sketchbook (8 1⁄2 x 11”), portable seat, water, carry bag. Bring lunch. Caravan. Easy to moderate. 7:15am-3:00pm Community Center Field Trip
January 25th San Luis Obispo Art Center Botanical illustration: capturing form, tone, texture, and color, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Join us for an intensive full day botanical illustration workshop with illustrator and author John Muir Laws. Class will begin with a quick review of flower structure and then plunge into drawing details. We will learn techniques for simplifying the complex structure of flowers to foreshorten their forms. We will investigate tricks to help draw complicated overlapping shapes such as an iris or foreshortened and curling leaves. We will try a new approach to drawing shadows that more clearly reveals the structure of the flower, compare ways of rendering rough or shiny surfaces, and learn ways of handling problem colors for the botanical artist (white, pink, and yellow). A full day that will give your botanical drawings new life and joy.
Bring: a small bouquet of flowers including at least one iris, drawing paper, pencils and your favorite drawing tools (Laws will demonstrate color techniques with both watercolor and colored pencil), and something to share in a lunchtime potluck.
January 26, California Native Plant Society- San Luis Obispo Exploring the Sierra Nevada Plants as a Naturalist and an Artist, 7:00 PM Veterans Hall, Monterey Street and Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo
February 2008
February 1, Half moon Bay Public Library, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist
620 Correas Street Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 650.726.2316 7-8:00 PM
John Muir Laws will present an illustrated lecture about the natural history of the Sierra Nevada, and the process of creating a field guide. This engaging program will highlight some of the beautifully and amazing species in the Sierra and the relationships between them. Laws will also discuss some of the conservation challenges in the Sierra Nevada and what stewards of nature are doing to confront them.
Book signing to follow the lecture
February 2, Tiburon Audubon Center Nature Journaling for Families: Keeping a nature notebook of sketches and observations helps build an interest in nature and focuses observation skills. Journaling is also a great way for families to share experiences in nature together. Join renowned artist, naturalist and educator John (Jack) Muir Laws for a family workshop to jump-start you on summer journaling. Each family member should bring a sketchbook, pencil, and a small set of colored pencils. Space is limited to 10 families. Minimum age 10 years, with a parent/guardian.
Cost: $15 adult / $8 child RSVP: Carol Schwartz, (415) 388-2524 ext 113
February 2, Tilden Botanic Garden Docent Program, The natural world of the Sierra Nevada- art and science (talk and book signing), 3-4:00 PM
February 6, San Carlos Public Library, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist
610 Elm Street, San Carlos CA 94070, Phone: 650.591.0341 7-8:00 PM
February 7, Belmont Public Library, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist
1110 Alameda de las Pulgas Belmont, CA 94002 650.591.8286 7-8:00 PM
See description February 1.
February 15, Montelindo Garden Club, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist
Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, Orinda CA, meeting begins at 9:00 AM, lecture starts at 10:30 AM
See description February 1.
February 15-17, Winter Wings Festival , Klamath Falls Or.
Book signing and Bird illustration/sketching workshops
February 20, Central Sierra Audubon Society, Drawing and Sketching Birds, (public talk and book signing), Tuolumne County Library Meeting Room, 7PM
March 2008
March 2, Livermore Public Library, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist
1188 South Livermore ave, Livermore CA, 2:00 PM, (925) 373-5500 ext. 5577
John Muir Laws will present an illustrated lecture about the natural history of the Sierra Nevada, and the process of creating a field guide. This engaging program will highlight some of the beautifully and amazing species in the Sierra and the relationships between them. Laws will also discuss some of the conservation challenges in the Sierra Nevada and what stewards of nature are doing to confront them.
Book signing to follow the lecture
March 6, Sonoma Birding Spring Lecture Series, Celebrating Sierra Nevada's Birds and Natural Wonders, 7:30-8:45PM at the Sonoma Community Center- Andrews Hall, 276 E. Napa St, $5.00.
March 9, Book Passage, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. Corte Madera, CA 94925 2:00PM
March 13, The natural history of the Sierra Nevada (public talk), 7:30, Sierra College Natural History Museum, Rocklin CA
March 14, Drawing Birds (workshop), Sierra College Natural History Museum, Rocklin CA 10-4:00
March 20, Moraga Garden Club, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist
See description March 2. Holy Trinity Cultural Center at 1700 School St., Moraga
March 28-30 (Optional Friday evening arrival), Point Reyes Field Seminars, Spring Field Journaling
Join us for a weekend of sketching, art instruction and nature study to jump start you in keeping your own nature/travel journal or re-inspire you to pick up your sketchbook again. We will examine different ways of keeping journals and develop habits to keep your actively sketching. The weekend will also include mini workshops on illustrating landscapes, plants (including wildflowers!) and using watercolor or colored pencils in the field. Jack will also give an evening lecture and demonstration on drawing birds and mammals. Learn how to paint a five minute landscape or an animal on the move! Accommodations included at the Education Center.
April 2008
April 3-26, City College of San Francisco, BIO 29. Scientific Illustration (formerly Natural History Field Observation and Illustration) CR/NC avail. A natural history course in recording and illustrating ecological and behavioral observations in a scientific field journal. Course format consists of an on-campus orientation session followed by in-depth Saturday field trips to various natural habitats in the San Francisco Bay Area. CSU. Last day to add- April 7, 2008
April 3, 5:30-8:30 pm evening introduction (overview, equipment)
April 5, 9:00-3:00 pm, Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve, Directions: When coming to Edgewood from the north (San Francisco), use Highway 280. Turn off at the Edgewood Road exit. Turn eastbound on Edgewood Road (towards San Carlos and Redwood City). Proceed approximately 1.5 miles. The main park entrance will be on the south side of the road. Meet near the restrooms in the main park area.
April 12, 9:00-3:00 pm, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, Directions: From eastbound CA 24 in Contra Costa County, exit south Interstate 680 (exit 15a). Drive about 10 miles and exit Crow Canyon Road (exit 36). Drive west (right) for about 1 mile, then turn right (north) onto Bollinger Canyon Road. Continue about 4.5 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road. Meet near the restrooms in the main park area.
April 26, 9:00-3:00 pm, Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve, From US 101 in Marin County, exit Sir Francis Drake/San Anselmo. Drive west on Sir Francis Drake about 5 miles to Fairfax. Turn left at a traffic light onto Pastori, drive one block, then turn right onto Broadway. Drive 0.3 mile on Broadway, then turn left at a stop sign onto Bolinas Road. Drive 0.4 mile on Bolinas, and at a stop sign, make a soft right onto Cascade. Proceed 0.5 mile on Cascade Drive to roadside parking before the street deadends at the preserve gate. Very limited side of street parking in a residential neighborhood. The last stretch of road before the deadend is signed "no parking on pavement," so make sure to find a spot well off the roadway, and respect any and all private parking spots. No entrance or parking fees, drinking water, paper maps, or toilet facilities.
April 10, Moccasin SFPUC, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist
April 10, Yosemite Area Audubon, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist, Mariposa Methodist Church Parish Hall, 6th St. between Hwy. 140 and Bullion St., Mariposa CA. 7:00 PM
April 11, Field Sketching Landbirds,
Upper Merced River Watershed/Yosemite Area Audubon 9:00AM-Noon
This hands-on workshop teaches you tricks to get down the shape and proportion of birds in a quick sketch and then fill in details with an improved understanding of bird anatomy. Wildlife artist John Muir Laws will include proportion basics, drawing wings, the bright-eye trick and feather tricks of the head. Bring soft pencil, colored pencils or watercolors, small sketch book (about 8 1⁄2 x 11”), portable seat, water, carry bag. Meet at the Ag Complex conference room adjacent to the Mariposa County Fairgrounds from 9 am to noon for a hands-on workshop. Weather permitting, some time will be spent outdoors observing birds. The cost is $25 per person. Space is limited. Please call the watershed office at (209) 966 2221 or email watershed@sti.net to reserve your place in the class. Directions: Enter the Fairgrounds parking lot and stay to the right. The Ag Complex is straight ahead on the left. Please call (209) 966-2221 or email if you have questions.
April 15,
Radio interview on Tomorrow Matters - "Talk Radio for a Better Tomorrow" on KRXA 540 AM, Seaside CA
April 16, Keynote Address: NatureServe West Region Natural Heritage Conference (CADFG) NatureServe's West Region Natural Heritage Conference brings together regional natural heritage professionals, conservation partners and leaders for a discussion and exchange of the latest innovations and advances in the field. A conference designed to promote exchange of knowledge and collaboration opportunities, the West Region Conference will offer participants a chance to immerse themselves in conservation topics of great importance to the region.
Granlibakken Conference Center and Lodge, 725 Granlibakken Road, Tahoe City, CA 96145
April 17, Creating a field guide (interactive lecture) and drawing birds in flight (lecture and demonstration) UCSC Scientific Illustration program
April 18-20, Botanical Illustration Classes (3-4:00 PM) and botanical illustartion demonstrations (all day), Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Wildflower Show
May 2008
May 3, Keynote Address: Kern River Valley Spring Nature Festival, An Evening Exploring the Natural World of the Sierra Nevada 6:30 PM
May 4, Kern River Valley Spring Nature Festival Nature Sketching. Details to be announced.
May 10, Sorenson's Resort, Sierra Sketchbook Workshop
May 15, East Bay Audubon Society, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist, (see description March 2) Northbrae Community Church at 941 The Alameda. 7:00PM
May 27,
San Francisco Audubon Society, Field Sketching Birds
Learn to make quick field sketches of landbirds, shorebords, and waterfowl from wildlife artist John Muir Laws. This hands-on workshop teaches you tricks to get down the shape and proportion of birds in a quick sketch and then fill in details with an improved understanding of bird anatomy. Wildlife artist John Muir Laws will give tips on proportion and shape, wing drawing tricks, shorebird necks, plumage and legs, and drawing ducks on the water. Become more observant and document your bird experience, maybe for a rare-bird sighting. No previous drawing experience is necessary. Bring: pencils and a sketchbook (or clipboard and paper)
Held at the County Fair Building in the SF Botanical Garden. 7:00 PM
June 2008
June 20-22, Mono Basin Chautauqua Drawing Birds and bird sketching field trips
Introduction to Drawing Birds: Learn how to quickly and accurately draw birds in the field and from photo reference. In this class we will learn the basics of bird anatomy and tricks to help quickly draw birds in the field either for field notes or for the pleasure of sketching. Master the one-minute gesture sketch and learn tricks on how to draw heads, wings, and feet. No previous drawing experience is necessary. Bring a sketch pad and pencil if you have one or use ours. Saturday 1:00-3:00, Meet at the LV Community Center
Painting and the Natural History of the Sierra: Naturalist, educator and artist John (Jack) Muir Laws has spent the last six years creating The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada, a field guide to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals that is beautifully illustrated with 2,710 original watercolor paintings. This comprehensive and easy-to-use guide allows botanists to identify the insects that come to their flowers, birders to identify the tress in which the birds perch, or hikers to identify the stars overhead at night. Jack will present an illustrated lecture about the natural history of the Sierra Nevada, and the process of creating a field guide including the logistics and techniques for painting in the field, identification tips, and wonderful natural history stories. Saturday 4:30-6:00, Meet in the Forest Service Scenic Area Visitor Center auditorium
Field Sketching Birds: How can field sketching help us become more observant birders? Jack Laws will lead us on a bird walk while also demonstrating how scientific illustration and quick field sketches can help develop the eye’s ability to see nature. Jack will also give us tips for quickly catching the shape and color of birds in the wild. The goal is not to create a pretty picture, but to help make us more observant while documenting our birding experiences. No previous drawing experience is necessary. Bring a sketch pad and pencil if you have one or use ours. Sunday 7:30-10:30 Meet at the LV Community Center
June 23-27, Sierra Nevada Field Campus, Exploring Sierra Nevada Natural History (workshop with David Lukas)
Join two of the Sierra Nevada's premier naturalists in this playful week searching for critters, plants, butterflies and more. Come prepared to be curious and ready for adventure as we wade into marshes with nets, peer into the inner workings of flowers, chase after lizards, examine animal tracks and sign, gaze at stars, and sit around the campfire. Each day will be as unique as the next as we look for the unexpected with the open eyes of old-fashioned naturalists. Learn to observe and record nature in field journals, sketch plants and wildlife, and more.
The field campus provides remarkable opportunities for exploring Sierra Nevada natural history. Habitats range from mountain forests and woodlands, to riparian corridors, rocky cliffs, and lakes. East of Yuba Pass we will explore desert habitats of the Great Basin and the Sierra Valley marsh system - one of northeastern California's largest and most productive wetlands. We will spend time in all these habitats observing an impressive variety of plants and animals.
June 27, Exploring the Sierra Nevada as a Naturalist and an Artist: Lecture and book signing.
7:00 PM, Madelyn Helling Library Community Room, Nevada City, CA Sponsored by the Yuba Watershed Institute
June 28,
Nature Journaling, Yuba Watershed Institute
Join us for a day of sketching, art instruction and nature study to jump start you in keeping your own nature/travel journal or re-inspire you to pick up your sketchbook again. We will examine different ways of keeping journals and develop habits to keep your actively sketching. The day will also include mini workshops on illustrating landscapes, plants (including wildflowers!) and using watercolor or colored pencils in the field. Learn how to paint a five minute landscape or the wildflowers of summer. 10:00 AM-3:00 PM North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center, 17894 Tyler Foote Rd., Nevada City, CA Sponsored by the Yuba Watershed Institute For more information and pre-registration contact Tania Carlone 530-265-4459.
June 29,
Miraflores Winery, (El Dorado County near Placerville) Botanical Illustration: Capturing Form, Tone, Texture, and Color
Join us for an intensive full day botanical illustration workshop with illustrator and author John Muir Laws. Class will begin with a quick review of flower structure and then plunge into drawing details. We will learn techniques for simplifying the complex structure of flowers to foreshorten their forms. We will investigate tricks to help draw complicated overlapping shapes such as an iris or foreshortened and curling leaves. We will try a new approach to drawing shadows that more clearly reveals the structure of the flower, compare ways of rendering rough or shiny surfaces, and learn ways of handling problem colors for the botanical artist (white, pink, and yellow). A full day that will give your botanical drawings new life and joy. Bring: sun hat, drawing paper (sketchbook or pad with support to draw outside), pencils and your favorite drawing tools-including something to add color (Laws will demonstrate color techniques with both watercolor and colored pencil), and something to share in a lunchtime potluck.
From SACRAMENTO: 50 East toward Placerville/ So Lake Tahoe. Right at Missouri Flat Road exit, proceed south until road ends.Left on Pleasant Valley Road for 9 miles. At Holiday Market, go 1.4 miles, right on Four Springs Trail .
From SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: West on 50 towards Placerville/Sacramento. Exit at Sly Park Road in Pollock Pines – go under the highway and proceed south past Jenkinsen Lake. Follow another 5 miles - just after the 25 MPH curve, turn left onto Four Springs Trail.
From AMADOR COUNTY & FAIRPLAY: Take E16 north towards Pleasant Valley. Turn right at the corner by Holiday Market. Travel 1.4 miles to Four Springs Trail. Turn right.
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Contact matricia@mirafloreswinery.com to register. $50
June 30- July 4 Sierra Nevada Field Campus, Drawing Master Class: birds and their habitat
All levels of experience welcome. Join us for a week of art and nature exploration that will help you for fast field sketches or detailed studio drawings. Learn techniques to quickly and accurately draw birds and illustrate the plants and wildflowers that make their habitat. Learn to deconstruct and simplify complex patterns and shapes. We will emphasize techniques using graphite, watercolor, and colored pencil.
Birds: learn the basic anatomy and tricks to quickly draw birds in the field and avoid anatomical pitfalls that creep into many bird drawings. Learn which critical details to check and master the one minute gesture sketch as well as sketching birds in flight. Learn tricks for detailed drawings of heads, wings, and feet even after the bird has flown.
Also master botanical illustrations to provide backgrounds for your bird illustrations or stand on their own. Master the basics for foreshortened and curling petals and leaves, rendering glossy and matt surfaces, and details such as delicate veins, subtle blends of color, and backlit leaves. Field trips to Sierra Valley and other birding hotspots will allow us to practice in the field.
July 2008
July 6, GGNRA Big Year, Field sketching with Jack Laws!
Join us for a day of field sketching in the Presidio's Lobos Dunes. Learn simple techniques to help you quickly and accurately capture your nature observations in a sketchbook. We will be practicing our sketching skills on the San Francisco Lessingia, a beautiful endangered wildflower in the sunflower family. Bring a sketchbook, your favorite drawing materials for working outside, snacks and water. Meet at the Lobos Dunes parking lot (Coming from the 25th Ave. gate into the Presidio, take the first right into the parking lot). Ages 12 and up. RSVP required: email mbzlat@yahoo.com. 10am – 2pm
July 9 REI Corte Madera, Exploring the Sierra: Perspectives of a Naturalist and Artist
Naturalist, environmental educator and artist John (Jack) Muir Laws spent six summers backpacking the Sierra-researching and illustrating The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada. Produced in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences, this pocket-sized field guide contains 2,710 original watercolor paintings of more than 1,700 species in the Sierra. Join Jack for a slide lecture on his adventures making this comprehensive work. As he shares some of his observations about the fascinating behavior, adaptations and interactions between species, he'll show you his lightweight field-studio design and techniques for painting in the field. Whether you're a botanist, birder or backpacker, don't miss this great opportunity to enrich your next Sierra vacation! 7:00 PM
July 11-13 and 18-20 (two weekends) Teacher Workshop: Sierra Nevada Classroom (Yosemite) Join us as we explore the Sierra Nevada landscape while learning to incorporate scientific field journaling, stimulating inquiry-based activities, and multimedia curricula in your intermediate science classroom.
This summer, our in-depth Sierra Nevada Classroom Teacher Institute will settle at the Jack L. Boyd Outdoor School and from there explore the varied habitats of the Sierra Nevada focusing on biodiversity and climate change. As a participating teacher, you will explore the Yosemite region with experienced guides and learn about the geology and ecology of the landscape.
The California Institute for Biodiversity is excited to partner with naturalist and illustrator John Muir (Jack) Laws, the Yosemite Institute, and the California Academy of Sciences for this professional development institute. Under the guidance of Jack Laws as lead instructor, teachers will learn the difference between drawing a pretty picture and using sketching as a scientific tool to help record observations. The journaling activities, which include a matrix for grading, will serve as an excellent route to scientifically investigate these incredible ecosystems.
This intensive course will integrate California science content standards for 4th through 8th grade. Teachers will conduct local field investigations, receive the Habitats Alive! teacher manual, an interactive CD-ROM, and The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are also available.
Registration has begun! Spaces are expected to fill quickly
July 15 REI Berkeley, Exploring the Sierra: Perspectives of a Naturalist and Artist
Naturalist, environmental educator and artist John (Jack) Muir Laws spent six summers backpacking the Sierra-researching and illustrating The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada. Produced in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences, this pocket-sized field guide contains 2,710 original watercolor paintings of more than 1,700 species in the Sierra. Join Jack for a slide lecture on his adventures making this comprehensive work. As he shares some of his observations about the fascinating behavior, adaptations and interactions between species, he'll show you his lightweight field-studio design and techniques for painting in the field. Whether you're a botanist, birder or backpacker, don't miss this great opportunity to enrich your next Sierra vacation! 7:00 PM
July 18,
The Natural World of the Sierra Nevada: Art and Science, Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road in Los Altos
June 30- July 4 Sierra Nevada Field Campus, Drawing Master Class: birds, wildflowers, and their habitat
All levels of experience welcome. Join us for a week of art and nature exploration that will help you for fast field sketches or detailed studio drawings. Learn techniques to quickly and accurately draw birds and illustrate the plants and wildflowers that make their habitat. Learn to deconstruct and simplify complex patterns and shapes. We will emphasize techniques using graphite, watercolor, and colored pencil.
Birds: learn the basic anatomy and tricks to quickly draw birds in the field and avoid anatomical pitfalls that creep into many bird drawings. Learn which critical details to check and master the one minute gesture sketch as well as sketching birds in flight. Learn tricks for detailed drawings of heads, wings, and feet even after the bird has flown.
Also master botanical illustrations to provide backgrounds for your bird illustrations or stand on their own. Master the basics for foreshortened and curling petals and leaves, rendering glossy and matt surfaces, and details such as delicate veins, subtle blends of color, and backlit leaves. Field trips to Sierra Valley and other birding hotspots will allow us to practice in the field.
July 25-27 Yosemite Association, Introduction to Sierra Natural History (workshop with David Lukas) Tuolumne Meadows
July 30 REI San Francisco Exploring the Sierra: Perspectives of a Naturalist and Artist
Naturalist, environmental educator and artist John (Jack) Muir Laws spent six summers backpacking the Sierra-researching and illustrating The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada. Produced in collaboration with the California Academy of Sciences, this pocket-sized field guide contains 2,710 original watercolor paintings of more than 1,700 species in the Sierra. Join Jack for a slide lecture on his adventures making this comprehensive work. As he shares some of his observations about the fascinating behavior, adaptations and interactions between species, he'll show you his lightweight field-studio design and techniques for painting in the field. Whether you're a botanist, birder or backpacker, don't miss this great opportunity to enrich your next Sierra vacation! 7:00 PM
August 2008
August 2. Tilden Park Botanic Garden, Botanical Illustration: Capturing Form, Tone, Texture, and Color
Join us for an intensive full day botanical illustration workshop with illustrator and author John Muir Laws. Class will begin with a quick review of flower structure and then plunge into drawing details. We will learn techniques for simplifying the complex structure of flowers to foreshorten their forms. We will investigate tricks to help draw complicated overlapping shapes such as an iris or foreshortened and curling leaves. We will try a new approach to drawing shadows that more clearly reveals the structure of the flower, compare ways of rendering rough or shiny surfaces, and learn ways of handling problem colors for the botanical artist (white, pink, and yellow). A full day that will give your botanical drawings new life and joy. Bring: a small bouquet of flowers including at least one iris, drawing paper, pencils and your favorite drawing tools. (Laws will demonstrate color techniques with both watercolor and colored pencil), and something to share in a lunchtime potluck.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Tilden Park Botanic Garden Visitor Center. $95 members/$100 nonmembers.
September 2008
September 6, Sulphur Creek Nature Center (Hayward), Wildlife Drawing 12 noon-3:00 PM call (510) 881-6700 to register.
September 6, Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, Exploring the Sierra: Perspectives of a Naturalist and Artist, In Santa Rosa at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center at 2050 Yulupa. 7:30 PM
September 12-14. Keynote address and workshop: Sierra Nevada Alliance 15th Annual Conference, North Tahoe Conference Center
Workshop: Keeping a Nature Journal: field sketching 101. Join us for an afternoon of sketching, art instruction and nature study to jump start you in keeping your own nature/travel journal or re-inspire you to pick up your sketchbook again. We will examine tricks and techniques to help you draw landscapes, wildflowers, and wildlife. Learn how to draw a five minute landscape or an animal on the move! Bring paper and pencil.
October 2008
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 26 (field trip), City College of San Francisco: Bio 71 Selected topics in Biology: Drawing Birds.
At last, a class long enough to show you all the tricks and details to accurately draw birds in quick field sketches or detailed studio drawings. This class will include anatomy and techniques for landbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and birds of prey. Special sessions will include drawing birds in flight. A field trip to a birding hotspot will help students refine fast sketching skills. Laws will demonstrate techniques with colored pencil, watercolor, and use of toned paper. I am really excited about this class as I will have the time to show you drawing secrets that we usually do not have time to incorporate into the lessons including birds in flight. City College of San Francisco, registration details to follow.
October 9, 18, 25, November 1- , City College of San Francisco, BIO 29. Scientific Illustration: Field Sketching (formerly Natural History Field Observation and Illustration) CR/NC avail. A natural history course in recording and illustrating ecological and behavioral observations in a scientific field journal. Course format consists of an on-campus orientation session followed by in-depth Saturday field trips to various natural habitats in the San Francisco Bay Area. CSU.
October 9 , 6:00-9:00 pm evening introduction (overview, equipment)
October 18 , 9:00-3:00 pm Field Trip
October 25, 9:00-3:00 pm, Field Trip
November 1 , 9:00-3:00 pm,
October 10-11, Western Field Ornithologists, Sketching Birds (hands on workshop)
Learn the basic anatomy and tricks to quickly draw birds in the field and avoid anatomical pitfalls that creep into many bird drawings. Learn which critical details to check and master the one minute gesture sketch as well as sketching birds in flight. Learn tricks for detailed drawings of heads, wings, and feet even after the bird has flown. This hands-on workshop teaches you tricks to get down the shape and proportion of land birds in a quick sketch and then fill in details with an improved understanding of bird anatomy. Wildlife artist John Muir Laws will include proportion basics, drawing wings, and feather tricks of the head. Bring pencil and a small sketch book. Class repeated both Friday and Saturday, 8:30 am to 11:00 am
November 2008
November 22-23, Central Valley Birding Symposium
November 22, After Dinner Lecture 7:45:PM
November 23, Drawing Songbirds 8:30 AM, Drawing Waterfowl 10:30 AM, Drawing Raptors 11:30 AM
December 2008
December 2, Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club, The Sierra Flora: Art and Science, Dinner and Evening Lecture 6:30
January 2009
January 17-19, Keynote address and Workshop: CNPS 2009 Conservation Conference: Strategies and Solutions, Sacramento Convention Center and Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sacramento, CA
Workshop: The art of field sketching: drawing plants and wildlife. A full day of sketching and art instruction to jump start you in keeping your own field journal or re-inspire you to pick up your sketchbook again. We will examine tricks and techniques to help you ways to simplify a complex flower shape, draw wildflowers in perspective, curling or foreshortened leaves, drawing birds and mammals, tricks to get animals in motion, simple ways to add color to your drawings in the field and more. Bring paper and pencil if you have it, supplies will be provided for those who do not have their own. Participants will receive worksheets and technique pages to supplement their notes.
Give this little Mule Deer time to load. Study the changes to help you understand the
relationship between underlying anatomy and the surface contours of the skin.
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