Introduction to Botanical Drawing for Beginners ONLINE

Program led by: Kathie Miranda

This program runs on Tuesday mornings for 4 weeks.

Class Dates: Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23

Class Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm 

It is a natural progression to move from admiring plants to wanting to express their beauty in art. This introductory class teaches you how to create a realistic botanical drawing using seasonal plants available from the Bartlett’s beautiful collections. No prior drawing experience required!

The instructor shares her entire approach to composing an idea from start to finish. Demonstrations and simple exercises emphasize key principles and drawing methods. Learn to use graphite pencil in a variety of ways to achieve accuracy and the look of three-dimensions that makes plants appear fleshy.

Presented are simple methods of analyzing plant parts individually - roots, stems, leaves and blossoms - to understand structure and surface details. Learn how to dissect plants and to make a herbarium sheet to use as reference material as you draw. Complete a “botanical plate” - a finished drawing of the entire plant.

The structure of our Zoom class meetings is similar to our live, 3-hour classroom experience: live demonstrations followed by time to work on your project “together in class”. The last ~ 30 minutes of class is devoted to a review and Q&A session. There is a private photo-sharing group folder on the Google Drive app where we can download and view our completed projects. Drive details are available in the first class.

Kathie Miranda is a contemporary multi-media artist and educator. A graduate of Pace University, with further studies at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and Paier College of Art, she coordinated the Art program at the New York Botanical Garden and is past-president of the New York chapter of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.  

Guest are responsible for purchasing their own material. A material list will be provided.

- Recommended Book (please borrow from library before purchasing): Botanical Illustration for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide, Meriel Thurstan and Rosie Martin, Batsford, 2015

Please contact the education department with questions or for information regarding Covid-19 safety during programs. 

Bartlett Arboretum Education Department Director E-mail: Mbelletzkie@bartlettarboretum.org 

Location: Class will be held on Zoom for the entire term. If you have never used Zoom before, provided below is a link to set it up on your computer and/or device: https://zoom.us/download

Cost: The workshop costs $170 Members can take advantage of a 10% discount at check-out!

Spaces are limited on this popular program.... avoid disappointment and sign up now!

MEMBERS please remember to SIGN IN / REGISTER using the link in the top right corner of this webpage BEFORE you register for any tickets to ensure you get the $10 member discount automatically applied at checkout!

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If the Arboretum cancels an event or workshop, a full refund will be given to anyone who has purchased a ticket.

If an event or program occurs as scheduled, we are unable to issue a refund.