Starting from Scratch: Watercolor Botanicals for Adults

Course Description:
This eight-week course is tailored for adults who are new to watercolor painting or those seeking to refine their skills in botanical illustration, specifically focusing on native plants. Through a series of structured classes, students will learn the fundamentals of drawing and painting with watercolors, with a special emphasis on botanical subjects. The course will guide participants through the process of sketching plant forms accurately and applying watercolor techniques to bring these drawings to life with vibrant colors and delicate details.

Course Objectives:

• Introduction to Botanical Illustration: Understand the basics of botanical art, focusing on native plants, their structures, and how to accurately represent them in art.
• Fundamentals of Drawing: Learn essential drawing techniques to capture the intricate details of plant life, including leaf shapes, flower structures, and textures.
• Watercolor Techniques: Explore various watercolor methods such as wet-on-wet, dry brush, and layering to achieve realistic and expressive representations of plants.
• Color Theory in Botanicals: Delve into color theory as it applies to botanical painting, learning how to mix and match colors to achieve naturalistic hues and shadows.
• Composition and Layout: Gain skills in composing botanical artwork, focusing on layout, background, and overall presentation to enhance the visual impact of your work.

Course Outcomes for Students:

• Mastery of Botanical Drawing: Students will develop the ability to sketch plants accurately, focusing on capturing essential details that define botanical illustration.
• Proficiency in Watercolor Painting: Participants will learn to handle watercolors confidently, applying techniques that bring out the vibrancy and subtlety of botanical subjects.
• Understanding of Color Mixing: Gain a solid foundation in mixing watercolors to achieve a wide range of natural colors, essential for botanical painting.
• Development of Artistic Style: Encouraged to explore and develop their own artistic voice within the realm of botanical illustration, students will experiment with different styles and techniques.
• Completion of a Botanical Portfolio: Each student will create a series of watercolor botanicals that showcase their skills and artistic growth throughout the course.

Requirements:
No prior experience in drawing or watercolor is necessary. This course is designed to start from the basics, making it ideal for beginners and those looking to refresh their skills.

Materials:
All materials are included in this course.