Botanical Drawing in Graphite

Drawing & Painting

Botanical Drawing in Graphite

This introduction to the basics explores shapes, forms, and structures that come into play when drawing plants.

Member

$72.00 (any noted materials fee included)

Guest

$89.00 (any noted materials fee included)

Tuition Assistance and Other Policies

Meeting Times
  1. Thur, 2/20/2025 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  2. Thur, 2/27/2025 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Thur, 2/20/2025 - Thur, 2/27/2025

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Type:
Class, No Prerequisite

Location:
The Commons

Interests:
Drawing

About

Using pencil to create value, and learning the grayscale, is a hugely helpful foundational element in drawing,  especially when drawing plants! This class is for anyone excited to draw leaves, flowers, seed pods, and more.

You'll review some basics of botanical drawing, including sketching and gesture drawing from actual specimens, as well as how to put together shapes, some basic plant structures, and how to capture subjects when doing sketches, as well as more finalized illustrations. The second part of class will allow you to go more in-depth on a study of a particular subject.  

You'll learn about value, grayscale, the different ways a full set of graphite pencils can help when drawing specimens from life as well as reference, and how three-dimensional effects with pencil can be achieved. There will be reference at BARN for use, both photographic and actual plant specimens, and you're encouraged to bring in any of your own plants that you may be passionate about and want to work from. 

So get an introduction to botanical drawing basics; review different shapes, forms, and structures that come into play when drawing plants; and delve into how graphite can be used to render plants in a realistic way.

Details

  • New and returning artists are welcome.
  • You'll leave with several practice sketches, as well as one final graphite plant illustration that is a plant study of your choice.

Materials

  • You need to bring:
    • Sketchbook of your choice.
    • Pencils in varying degrees of hardness (2B, 4B, and HB will be adequate).
    • An eraser.
    • Any sort of organic material you'd like to sketch (such as flowers, pods, pinecones, leaves or whatever you see in your garden).
  • BARN will provide a variety of pencils for you to try, Bristol Board for your final sketch, printed reference materials and additional organic materials for sketching.

Class Policies

Ages 14 and up are welcome.

BARN Policies

Instructors or Guides

Donna Letterese

Donna is a cartoonist, botanical illustrator, and educator, as well as a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists (Southern California and Pacific Northwest chapters) and Puget Sound Book Artists. Originally from New York, Donna earned her bachelor's degree from Sarah Lawrence College, then moved to the West Coast. She ultimately earned her master's in illustration from California State University, Fullerton. A Kitsap Country resident since 2020, she loves getting the chance to explore, sketch, travel by ferry, and take in the landscapes, flora, and fauna of Washington.
Donna, who has been teaching since 2010, teaches continuing education courses, as well as classes at art centers, after-school programs, comic conventions, and libraries. She loves working with students and helping them discover their artistic passion and voice, whether that means telling a fantastical story through an illustration or comic, or realistically capturing a plant and its details at a particular moment. During her free time, she loves creating comics and handmade books, urban sketching, and exploring museums, gardens, coffee shops, anywhere with animals, and bookstores.

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