n a recent trip to Rwanda, I realized that I would fill my sketchbook long before returning home. I usually sketch with soft pencil and leave the opposite page blank so that facing pages will not smear each other. To conserve paper, I gave up the pencil and started sketching with a ballpoint pen. Within
earn how to simplify the details of bird plumage to increase your drawing speed, accuracy, and to make your sketches more lifelike. In this workshop you will learn the basics of bird feather anatomy and how to suggest the complexity with a minimum of fuss and hassle. The principles of simplification also apply to drawing
You can learn to draw. Representative drawing is a skill, not a gift. There are five principles that I wish I knew when I started. Practicing these with exercises, and keeping them in mind as you sketch or paint will improve the accuracy, speed, and clarity of your work. Learn how to modify and adapt these techniques for any
To help call in the rain to drought stricken California, we offer a special workshop on drawing weather. Learn how to suggest a downpour in graphite pencil and watercolor. We will also draw fog, snow fields, and a blizzard. After the storm clears we will learn how to draw raindrops or dew on plants and
Learn how to draw broadleaf and evergreen trees both from a distance and up close details (leaves, acorns, seed pods, and fruit). In addition to studying details of structure, we will explore shortcuts to help you get the form on paper and tricks to suggest dimension and volume. Two advantages of drawing in ink are
Improve your handwriting with calligrapher and nature journal keeper JP Panter. Learn targeted techniques to improve the problem area that everyone shares. We will learn how to write in italic, a practical and flexible basic handwriting style which can be either printed or cursive. We will explore how different tools change the look and feel of what
Visual note-taking (aka “sketchnoting”) is a powerful and fun way to capture and remember information and share it effectively. With a set of simple techniques, you can visually capture key points of a lecture, video or book, so that you can quickly recall the ideas and put what you’ve learned into action. Visual notetaking techniques
Learn the basics of illustrating fish including critical morphology for the artist, arranging scales, important proportions or measurements, and capturing the iridescent shimmer of light. In this workshop we will focus on the lateral (side) view to create a classic scientific illustration. No experience necessary, and no advanced registration required. Bring a sketchbook and pencil to
Learn how to draw and sketch fish and sharks in dynamic poses, breaking the mold of the static scientific illustration. Learn how a living fish looks under water and how this is different than what is drawn in classic fish illustration. This class will prepare you for sketching from live specimens in your fish tank
Have you always wanted to keep a nature journal or are you looking for ways to make your nature journaling a richer experience? In this workshop we will explore fundamental principles to jumpstart and extend your journaling practice. You will learn: Why to keep a nature journal and see examples of many ways to practice.