BAGSC News

A group of members of the Colored Pencil Society is planning a three day class with John P. Smolko, CPSA, an award winning colored pencil artist and teacher. He teaches a textural style using expressive line and a huge variety of color.

He advocates daring to be different and experimenting with various color combinations. The dates for the class will be either November 2,3,4, or 9, 10, 11 of 2009 and will be held in Redondo Beach at the home of one of our members. We are seeking 10 – 12 participants, but if many more show interest, we could probably accommodate a larger group at a local art supply store in the South Bay Area. The cost for the three days is estimated to be $200 but could fluctuate a bit depending on enrollment. If you have any questions, contact Sue Kuuskmae. You should send a deposit check for $100 to hold your spot. Please include your e mail address, mailing address, phone number, and name.

Clematis, Margaret Best. Watercolor, 2008, all rights reserved.

Margaret Best is returning to teach at the Huntington Gardens this Summer. In this 3-day watercolor class, Margaret will be teaching the importance of the color purple to the botanical artist’s palette. Not only will Margaret be showing the many ways in which this invaluable color can add vitality to both highlights and shadow areas, she will also assist the participants in exploring ways to achieve the most intense purples possible using lightfast, transparent paints. This class will consist of important technical exercises both creating the color purple and mixing other colors with purple pigment, as well as an opportunity to apply this knowledge in a simple subject painting. One thing for sure – the subject matter will contain the color purple!

No special materials are required. Bring your favorite hot press paper, drawing materials, your paints, brushes, mixing palette and jars. If you have any further questions or would like to know more about Margaret’s well researched botanical artist’s palette, please feel free to e-mail her.

Limit 14

Fees : $295.00 for BAGSC members; $325.00 for non-members. A $50.00 non-refundable deposit will hold your space in the workshop. Full payment due by June 21 (deposit applies towards cost of class).

Register by contacting Leslie Walker and mailing her your deposit check and check for full payment. All checks should be made payable to BAGSC.

Jenny Phillips will be teaching a Botanical Painting Class again at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens March 30, 31, April 1, 2 & 3, 2009. The classes will be held in the Botanical Building from 9:00-3:30. The cost of the class is $525 for BAGSC members and $575 for non-members. Spaces are being reserved as a $50 non-refundable deposit, payable to BAGSC. Contact Leslie for details. The balance payable to BAGSC is due March 1, 2009.

Evening Lecture and Reception: Friday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Workshop (ART 310): Saturday, March 28th & Sunday, March 29th 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Learn the basics for creating botanical illustrations from professional botanist, botanical illustrator, and teacher, Dr. Linda Ann Vorobik. Linda, through demonstrations and lectures, introduces participants to drawing skills, parts of the plant, what botanical illustration is when defined precisely, and watercolor techniques as used for painting plant portraits. All skill levels are welcome: accomplished artists can increase their knowledge of botany and skilled botanists learn drawing and painting techniques. A list of required supplies will be mailed to participants.

Join us the Friday preceding the weekend workshop for a casual reception, where Dr. Vorobik will showcase some of her works and techniques.

Note: Each day of the workshop there will be a lunch break from noon – 2 p.m.  Dr. Vorobik will stay in the classroom with short breaks only for those who wish to eat at the Garden or work through the lunch break.

Location: Friday Reception – Blaksley Library, Weekend Workshop – Arroyo Room
Limit: Friday Reception: 40, Weekend Workshop: 15
Friday Lecture Fee: No charge for workshop participants, $5 for all others

Register online!

Watercolor for Botanical Illustration Application and Techniques for Botanical Illustration
The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA, 91007
4 Sessions, 9:30 – 1:00
Fees: $170 members / $187 for non-members

Rendering 3-dimensional plant forms in transparency is the main characteristic of botanical watercolor. The first class in this series covers the basic application and techniques of watercolor painting. Topics covered are wash techniques, dry brush, color palette and mixing green and neutral tint mixing. This class is for all levels.  Please purchase Coral G. Guest’s book “Painting Flowers in Watercolour: a naturalistic approach,” before class begins. We will be following her book.

For more information or to register, please call Jill Berry at 626.821.4623 or email jill.berry@arboretum.org
Supplies: Please call or email Jill Berry.

Mark your calendars! Margaret Best will be returning in January for two workshops!

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden – 2 day weekend workshop
Saturday January 17 and Sunday January 18th

San Diego Natural History Museum – 3 day workshop
Tuesday January 13th, Wednesday January 14th, Thursday January 15th

Clematis, copyright 2008, Margaret Best

Botanical Water Colors Weekend Workshop at the
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Co-sponsored by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and BAGSC
ART 300 – Botanical Art Workshop with Margaret Best

Saturday and Sunday January 17, January 18 10:00-4:00 p.m.

Margaret Best, internationally renowned artist and teacher, will return again in January to the Garden for a workshop focusing on watercolor. Whether you are a beginner, or have reached a more experienced level with botanical art, Margaret can help you hone your observational and technical skills to produce a scientifically accurate, yet appealing artwork.

Margaret’s previous workshops received rave reviews, so gather your supplies and join us for this one. A suggested materials list will be supplied to participants upon request.

In this class Margaret will focus on how to create natural-looking greens. Exercises will explore how to create variously shaped leaves, with textures ranging from smooth and shiny to textured and hairy.
Class Limit: 15
Fee: $150 for members of SBBG or BAGSC; $170, non-members
Be sure to bring your lunch, as there are no restaurant facilities at this beautiful garden.

Register online: Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens
Phone: 805-682-4726

Hemerocallis (Day Lily), copyright 2008 by Margaret Best

San Diego Natural History Museum

3 day Watercolor Workshop
with Margaret Best

Sponsored by the Botanical Art Guild of Southern California (BAGSC)

Tuesday January 13th, Wednesday January 14th, Thursday January 15th,
10 am – 4 pm

Responding to requests by BAGSC members who participated in Margaret’s classes at the ASBA conference, we are excited to be offering this 3-day workshop at the wonderful San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park, San Diego.

This workshop will focus on an understanding of what can be achieved with a range of watercolor types from totally transparent to opaque colors. It will also aim to provide participants with specific exercises designed to upgrade technical brush skills from working in a wet-on-wet style to dry brush techniques. It promises to be a very busy three days with an excellent opportunity to hone some skills that you may have found challenging before.

Bring your favorite paints, paper, water jars and drawing materials as well as your own lamp. Margaret will make personal recommendations during the class regarding the supplies she uses.

The Museum has a popular coffee shop for light meals and snacks, however you may bring your own lunches to eat in the classroom.

Limit 14

Fees : $295.00 for BAGSC members; $325.00 for non-members

Register by contacting Leslie Walker and mailing her your check for full payment.