Classes & Workshops
Fleisher Art Memorial
Philadelphia, PA​​
​
Botanical Drawing:
Fall Specimens
10 Mondays
September 9 - November 18, 2024
6:30 - 8:30 PM ONLINE
Let’s take a closer look at some of the wonderful natural elements that make up our autumn outdoor world! We’ll draw (or paint) a new specimen each week. Not only will we learn about that botanical object, like a flower, herb, bulb, fruit, vegetable, fungi, or leaf, but we’ll see how these subjects fit into the broader realm of contemporary botanical art. Some drawing experience is helpful.
​
Register here:
https://reg137.imperisoft.com/ExProgramDetail.aspx?unit=Fleisher&id=55982
​
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
​
Starting a Botanical Sketchbook
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Inclement Weather Date: Feb 2
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM ON SITE
​
For artists of all levels looking to grow their skills in botanical sketching, learn how to start your botanical sketchbook and sharpen your observation skills during this fun, insightful, and hands-on class. Study intriguing materials from our Gardens—seed pods, bark, cones, and more—and use basic drawing techniques to create lifelike and botanically accurate sketches. Capture the unique shapes and textures of botanical wonders, all while growing your artistic skills.
​
REGISTER HERE:
https://longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/starting-botanical-sketchbook
​
​​​
Advancing Your Botanical Sketchbook
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Inclement Weather Date: Feb 16
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM ON SITE
​
For those looking to add to their portfolio or grow their skills in botanical sketching, this class is for you.
Bring your own, already-established botanical sketchbook and add to your art using new techniques, interesting drawing materials, and unique approaches—all while being led by a professional artist.
Study intriguing materials from our Gardens—seed pods, bark, cones, and more—and use basic drawing techniques to create lifelike and botanically accurate sketches. Capture the unique shapes and textures of botanical wonders, all while growing your artistic skills.
This fun, insightful, and hands-on class is intended for intermediate to advanced sketch artists.
​
REGISTER HERE:
https://longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/advancing-your-botanical-sketchbook
​
​
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Pittsburgh, PA​
​
Fungi in Watercolor: Understanding Structure and Painting Techniques
4 Wednesdays
Aug 21, 28; Sept 4, 11, 2024
6:30 - 8:30 PM ONLINE
The first and most important step in developing your drawing and painting skills is to not just look at your subject, but to see! Learn the basics of mushroom foraging with the goal of documenting the fungi in a sketchbook. Build on these skills to draw a mushroom in graphite. Go on to create a pleasing composition and design a watercolor painting. Learn graphite and dry brush watercolor techniques while building your knowledge of fungi. Add in important natural elements and capture the essence of your mushroom while maintaining an eye to the mycological aspects of your subject. Botanical Art and Illustration Elective.
​
REGISTER HERE:
https://my.conservatory.org/7459/fungiinwatercolor
​
​
​
​
Mt Cuba Center
Hockessin, DE​
​
Workshop: Developing a Fall Foliage & Fungi Sketchbook
Thursday, September 5, 2024
10 AM – 3 PM ON SITE
Observations of the natural world are the first step in creating a successful painting. Documenting objects and specimens in the field lets you gather ideas, gain inspiration, and discover how nature arranges its landscapes. This workshop brings you through Mt. Cuba’s grounds in search of habitats with fungi foliage, and other materials to draw or paint in a sketchbook. Please bring your lunch. A detailed list of required materials is provided with registration.
​
https://mtcubacenter.org/event/workshop-fall-foliage-fungi-sketchbook/
​
Developing an Autumn Sketchbook: Section A
Friday, November 8, 2024
10 AM – 3 PM ON SITE
Observation of the natural world is the first step in creating a successful sketchbook. Capture the unique shapes and textures of the autumn landscape. Capture the unique shapes and textures while gathering ideas from the field gaining inspiration to add elements of habitat to your sketch. This workshop brings you through Mt. Cuba’s grounds in search of habitats, and other materials to draw in a sketchbook. Please bring your lunch. A detailed list of required materials is available upon registration.
​
https://mtcubacenter.org/event/developing-an-autumn-sketchbook-section-a/
​
Developing an Autumn Sketchbook: Section B
Friday, November 15, 2024
10 AM – 3 PM ON SITE
Observation of the natural world is the first step in creating a successful sketchbook. Capture the unique shapes and textures of the autumn landscape. Capture the unique shapes and textures while gathering ideas from the field gaining inspiration to add elements of habitat to your sketch. This workshop brings you through Mt. Cuba’s grounds in search of habitats, and other materials to draw in a sketchbook. Please bring your lunch. A detailed list of required materials is available upon registration.
​
https://mtcubacenter.org/event/developing-an-autumn-sketchbook-section-b/
​
​
​
ASBA Conference
Pittsburgh, PA
​
The Mushroom Hunter's Sketchbook
Friday, October 18, 2024
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM ON SITE
Must be an ASBA member
Learn the basics of capturing mushrooms and fungi's unique shapes and textures in this fun workshop as we observe, document, and illustrate subjects found while foraging. Keeping a sketchbook is a wonderful way to build discipline in your art practice and allow experimentation in graphite, watercolor, and Micron pen. Build upon your work long after the class has concluded!
​
https://asba-art.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=92618&module_id=531119
​
​
​
Jenkins Arboretum
& Gardens
Devon, PA
​
Botanical Observations: Autumn Objects of Field and Forest
4 Tuesdays
October 8 - 29, 2024
6:30 – 8:30 PM ONLINE
Let’s take a closer look at the natural elements that make up our autumn outdoor world! Capture the unique shapes and textures of botanical wonders, all while growing your artistic skills. Join Margaret Saylor virtually to draw (or paint) a new specimen each week. Learn about that week’s botanical theme, as well as how these subjects fit into the broader realm of contemporary botanical art.
​
All levels welcome; some drawing experience helpful but not necessary. A recommended materials list is available for review prior to registration.
​
REGISTER HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/art-photography-classes-64979
​
Starting a Botanical Sketchbook
Saturday, November 9
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM ON SITE
Whether you’re a beginner artist or looking to add to your portfolio, learn how to start your own botanical sketchbook and sharpen your observation skills during this insightful class. Study intriguing materials from our gardens—seed pods, bark, cones, and more—and use basic drawing techniques to create lifelike and botanically accurate sketches.
​
All levels welcome; some drawing experience helpful but not necessary. A recommended materials list is available for review prior to registration. Bring your lunch.
​
REGISTER HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/art-photography-classes-64979
​
​
Wayne Art Center
Wayne, PA​​
​
Botanical Art: Developing a Fall Sketchbook Practice
Saturday, October 5, 2024
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM ON SITE
Observation is the key to all drawing, and here is your opportunity to learn to look and, most importantly, see the natural world up close. This is a hands-on workshop where you’ll create a sketchbook of late summer/autumn finds depicted in the medium of your choice: graphite, Micron pen, watercolor…. or all three. Working with a botanical artist, make notes, sketches, preliminary drawings, or finished painted passages. Write down your observations and build a beautiful sketchbook that can be the basis for an ongoing practice.
​
​
Autumn Botanical Art in Graphite & Watercolor
Saturday, November 16, 2024
10:00 AM - 4 PM ON SITE
Drawing inspiration from fall flowers and foliage, learn how to build a botanical artwork using graphite and watercolor on paper OR calfskin vellum*.
Explore the features of these two contrasting mediums and see how they elevate your piece when combined to achieve luminescent color, dynamic shading, and fine details quintessential to botanical illustration. Margaret Saylor guides you through the process in this class, which is suited for intermediate artists looking to expand their skills.
​​
​
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Philadelphia, PA​
​
Autumn Observations
5 Wednesdays
October 23 through November 20, 2024
6:30 – 8:30 PM ONLINE
Let’s take a closer look at some of the wonderful natural elements that make up our outdoor world in autumn. Join Margaret Saylor virtually to draw (or paint) a new specimen each week. Not only will we learn about that week’s botanical theme, but we’ll see how these subjects fit into the broader realm of contemporary botanical art. Margaret Saylor is the editor/designer of ASBA’s The Botanical Artist journal. She earned a certificate in botanical art and illustration, with distinction, from the NYBG.  
All levels are welcome; some drawing experience is helpful but not necessary. A Zoom link and recommended materials list will be emailed to all participants.
​
https://experience.morrisarboretum.org/Policies.aspx
​
​​​
The Contemporary Naturalism Guild of Art
Workshops, Mini-Courses, Art & Conversation, and Masterclasses
enrolling now!
​
contemporarynaturalismguildofart.com
​
​​Teaching classical art techniques with a modern expression to honor
the personal connection to Nature
Naturalism is a late 19th- and early 20th-century movement that was inspired by the adaptation of the principles and methods of natural science, especially the Darwinian view of nature, to literature and art. We aim to share our knowledge of sketching, drawing, and painting the flora and fauna of our 21st-century world through online instruction, by teaching classical art techniques with a modern expression. Honor your connection to Nature through careful observation and depiction of natural science subjects and habitats in a contemporary style.
​
UPCOMING CLASSES:​
https://academy.contemporarynaturalismguildofart.com/
​
​
​
​
