Lafayette Library and Learning Center

Into the Woods! Just as you do not draw a tree by drawing a lot of leaves, you do not draw a forest by drawing a lot of trees. Learn how to suggest the feeling of a distant forest, including the skyline pattern, edge and texture. We will demonstrate techniques using pencil and watercolor. In Read More

This month we look at the whole tree. How do you draw overlapping branches, trunks, and foliage. We will take a close look at quick methods for suggesting leafy foliage and dense pine needles without getting lost in a leaf by leaf dissection. Learn how to use a flat brush to create foliage effects. Bring Read More

Let's Draw Trees! Over the next few months we will explore ways of drawing trees. This month we start up-close with leaves and branches. Fall is a fun time to look at leaves and after the leaves have fallen, each species has unique leaf scars and buds. Say goodby to the generic branch under the Read More

At once creepy and fascinating, the wonderful world of skulls and skeletons lies just below the surface of the living world. With the Halloween spirit still haunting us, and the dark winter nights setting in, now's the time to face our fears and seek out new insights from the realm of bony relics! In this Read More

"Oh, good scholar, I say to myself, how can you help but grow wise with such teachings as these— the untrimmable light of the world, the ocean’s shine, the prayers that are made out of grass?"  Mary Oliver Once you see the beauty of grass, you can lose yourself for hours in a vacant lot or quiet prairie. Learn how to make a careful scientific Read More

Have you wanted ways to add creative lettering to your Nature Journal pages? Learn "you can do it" techniques from a real master. Meet the Instructor Deb Brady is a nature enthusiast, who has been working as a sign artist at Trader Joe's for the past 15 years and doing occasional freelance work in graphics and Read More

For years I have taught the same system to quickly sketch birds in the field. Over the last few months my approach has changed radically. I think I can now get you drawing better birds with fewer lines. This refined system will help you get the basic bird shapes with less trouble and will avoid some Read More

Twisted, leaves, curled petals, resting mammals with folded legs, duck yoga- some complex shapes are difficult to see, understand, and draw. In these cases I return again and again to principles that simplify the subject and make them easier to transfer to paper. Learn how to use this technique to help you draw everything from Read More

Have you mastered flat and graded washes and are looking for techniques to broaden your watercolor game? In this workshop we will explore techniques to extend the possibilities of watercolor. Bring your sketchbook, watercolor kit, Pentel Aquash Large waterbrush, a white crayon, and a white Prismacolor pencil. We will explore: Using a resist. Drybrush effects. Read More

Do you want to get started with using watercolor in your field sketches? This is the class for you. In this workshop I assume no background using watercolors and will cover the essentials to get you started, so that you can quickly and easily apply watercolor to your work. In this workshop you will learn: Read More