Classes & Workshops
The Contemporary Naturalism Guild of Art
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contemporarynaturalismguildofart.com
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learn.contemporarynaturalismguildofart.com
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Teaching classical art techniques with a modern expression to honor your
personal connection to Nature
Naturalism is a late 19th- and early 20th-century movement that was inspired by 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 personal connection to Nature through careful observation and depiction of natural science subjects and habitats in a contemporary style.
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Mushrooms & Fungi
A five-part online workshop offering instruction and guidance on sketching, drawing, and painting mushrooms.
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COMING SOON FALL 2023​
http://contemporary-naturalism-guild-of-art.teachable.com
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Mentorships Now Available
Our online mentorship program allows you to study independently with the artist of your choice. Private, one-on-one learning.
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GoggleWorks
Reading, PA
Sketchbook in the Garden
NEW DATE AND TIME
Sunday, September 24, 2023
3 - 6pm ON SITE
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Gather in GoggleWorks’ Gardens at Lauer’s Park to illustrate leaves and flowers from our garden space. We will guide through the process to capture the character of the plants and design beautiful sketchbook pages in the process.
You should bring micron pens, a travel watercolor palette, and high-quality sketchbook for mixed media or watercolor i.e. Stillman & Bern Zeta Series/Moleskine.
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Register
https://goggleworks.org/event/botanical-sketchbook-workshop/
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Botanical Art Talks
with Julia Trickey
Fungi - From Forest Floor to Finished Painting
November 30, 2023
7pm GMT (2pm EST, 11am PST)
Margaret Saylor
Margaret will describe her personal approach to foraging, sketching, and painting woodland fungi. She’ll share tips on mushroom hunting, drawing identifying characteristics, and depicting fungi in a natural habitat. Her recent works are a combination of graphite and watercolour on vellum, specifically chosen for its natural and earthy appeal. Margaret’s presentation will take the viewers from forest to finished painting.
Growing up in the woodlands of southeastern Pennsylvania, Margaret developed an affinity for the natural world at an early age. Following a career in graphic and package design, Margaret earned a certificate, with distinction, in botanical art and illustration from the New York Botanical Garden. Since 2013, she has been the Editor/Designer of The Botanical Artist, official journal of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Margaret teaches both online and in person at many public gardens and art schools, and is co-founder of the Contemporary Naturalism Guild of Art.
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Register here: https://www.juliatrickey.co.uk/talks
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Fleisher Art Memorial
Philadelphia, PA
Botanical Drawing: Fall Specimens
5 Thursdays
Sept 21 - Nov 16, 2023
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm ONLINE
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Let’s take a closer look at some of the beautiful 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 helpful.
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Register here:
https://reg137.imperisoft.com/Fleisher/ProgramDetail/3533323538/Registration.aspx
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New York Botanical Garden
Bronx, NY
Mushrooms in Drybrush Watercolor
JUST ADDED:
Saturday, November 18, 2023
11am - 4:30 pm ONLINE
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Bring the texture and tones of a mushroom to life on paper using specific watercolor techniques. This workshop will impart the instructor's method of using dry brush watercolor to replicate this subject's colors, form, and texture. Please note that this technique requires patience, as it entails building up color slowly, layer by layer with the use of little water. The demonstration will include color mixing, working light to dark, layering colors, adding fine detail, using drybrush, and glazing. Some painting experience is recommended.
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Register here:https://www.enrole.com/nybg/jsp/session.jsp?sessionId=242BIL159O&courseId=234BIL159&categoryId=10093
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Mt Cuba Center
Hockessin, DE​
A Sketchbook of Fungi
Friday, September 22, 2023
10 am - 3:30 pm ON SITE
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September is a great month for foraging fungi. Starting a sketchbook of mushrooms can be a wonderful way to document your finds, enhance your observational skills, and refine your drawing technique. We’ll discuss how to begin a fall fungi sketchbook. Graphite, archival pens, or watercolor – or all three… it’s up to you. Basic mushroom drawing skills will be shared along with demonstrations of how to create your very own tribute to your mycological finds. A detailed list of required materials can be found online.
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Register here: https://mtcubacenter.org/event/a-sketchbook-of-fungi-2/
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Phipps Conservatory
Pittsburgh, PA
Fungi in Watercolor: Understanding Structure and Painting Techniques
4 Wednesdays
Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 2023
6:30 - 8:30 pm ONLINE
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Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
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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 to document 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 drybrush 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.
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Register here: https://3989p.blackbaudhosting.com/3989p/Fungi-in-Watercolor-Understanding-Structure-and-Painting-Techniques
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Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
The Mushroom Hunter's Sketchbook
September 9, 2023
8 am - 12 pm ON SITE
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Join expert botanical artist Margaret Saylor for a fun(gi)-focused class on capturing and rendering fungi. During this beginner- and intermediate-friendly class, work in the medium of your choice and learn the skills you need to enhance your sketchbook or nature journal the next time you’re in the field.
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Register here:
https://longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/mushroom-hunters-sketchbook
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Jenkins Arboretum
& Gardens
Devon, PA
From Drawing to Painting:
Botanical Art as a Process
Saturday, September 23, 2023
10 am - 3:30 pm ON SITE
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Capture a subject in a simple line drawing; then learn to transfer to watercolor paper and create a painting. Move through steps including correcting a drawing; selection of watercolors to build a palette; and painting techniques that suit your style and subject.
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Register here:
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Botanical Observations: Designing a Sketchbook of Autumn Subjects
5 Mondays
October 2 - October 30, 2023
6:30 – 8:30 pm ONLINE
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Let’s take a closer look at some of the wonderful natural elements that make up our autumn outdoor world! Join Margaret Saylor virtually to draw (or paint) a new family of specimens each week. You’ll create a sketchbook page based on the week’s topic. 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. Themes will include: flowers, fungi, moss, lichens, leaves, seed pods, gourds, and fir trees. Work in graphite, Micron pen, and/or watercolor.
All levels welcome; some drawing experience helpful but not necessary
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Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/653978024877
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Morris Arboretum & Gardens
Philadelphia, PA
Developing a Botanical Sketchbook
for Fall
6 Tuesdays
September 19 - October 24, 2023
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm ONLINE
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​Let’s take a closer look at some of the wonderful natural elements that make up our autumn outdoor world! Join Margaret Saylor virtually to draw 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.
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All levels welcome; some drawing experience helpful but not necessary. A zoom link and recommended materials list will be emailed to all participants.
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