Workshop/Retreat: The Black Land Prairie

Nature/Art Retreat
 (3 days/2 nights)

DATES: Arrive Fri evening (anytime 5:30 pm & after) and stay thru Sun, noon depart.

SITE: YMCA Collin County. 1180 Houston St.  Anna, TX 75409. 

REGISTERING?: Contact instructor at padillapost@gmail.com for mailing address to send in payment or via Pay Pal 'Buy Now' button below. 

TOTAL FEE: $190 Includes: 

(2) Nights Lodging - Fri and Sat (arrive Friday, at your leisure,  anytime 5:30 pm or after

(1) Welcoming Reception - Fri evening 7 pm

(2) Continental Breakfasts - Sat and Sun

(2) Dinners - Fri and Sat.  

(1) Sunrise or Sunset Sketch Out. 

(1) Camp Fire.
(2) Cocoa Summit - Sharing of sketchbooks and days progress nightly over cookies and hot cocoa.

OUR SKETCH SITE Offers varied opportunities for the artist, journaler, photographer, nature lover documenting the Black Land Prairie ...quiet wooded areas, sparkling lake views,  up close macro views or sweeping landscape vistas. 

Note: We move indoor to work in our light- filled classroom as conditions dictate.  Buildings are 1-story, have accessible door handles, bathrooms have accessible stalls/showers. Trails wide and graded wheelchair accessible.  Handicap parking.

Lodging Details:

• Cozy, twin, dorm style/camp house lodging. (First paid registrants will likely snag all the lower bunks. Upper bunks to the procrastinators go).
• Handicap showers
• Microwave and refrigerator
• Morning into night art making opportunity
• On site recreational facilities
• Classmate arranged carpool option

Bring:

o   Comfy lounge wear/warm ups to hang out in evenings into night. 

o   Twin sheet set; Blanket; Pillow/pillow case; Or sleeping bag

o   Toiletries

o   Towel/wash cloth; Shower shoes/Flip Flops
o   Sack lunch and beverage from home to join Sat/Sunday classmate's al fresco lunch.

o   Flashlight; Whistle.

INSTRUCTOR  Cynthia Padilla international instructor, leads art retreats worldwide. From the sparkling lakes of Como, Italy...to the pink city of Agra, India...craggy hillsides of Greece... to the bright lights of Paris. Padilla has criss-crossed the globe, sketchbook in hand.

Padilla Sketching on Location - Northern New Mexico

 
............................

Workshop: Sketchbook: Ghost Ranch 

Dates: August 5 - 11, 2013. 

Where: Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center. Abiquiu, New Mexico
Description: Imagine the magic that is the Ghost Ranch, captured between the pages of a sketchbook journal?  Mornings we ramble it’s dusty  trails pausing under fruit trees and tucked away gardens to document wildflowers, pollinators, macro views sweeping vistas . Moving indoors to sketch from the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology’s fossils and dinosaurs and Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology’s ancient artifacts, pottery and weavings.

Evenings we gather for sketchbook entries to take shape…rough sketches refined, sightings shared and discussed, color added to views and vistas, specimens identified.  A dizzying selection of art mediums wet and dry are demo’ed nightly.  Dabble in all or master one. Personal direction in style and subject matter encouraged. From quick ink scribble, controlled colored pencil study, to atmospheric pastel landscape and sparkling wee watercolor.

[The optional Georgia O'Keeffe or Ghost Ranch Landscape tour completes the magic].

See Typical Sketchbook Techniques:

Sketchbook - Pencil http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchdraw/

Sketchbook - Pen http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookpen/

Sketchbook -Watercolor http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookwatercolor/

Sketchbook - Watercolor Pencil/Watercolor Crayon http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookwcpencilcrayon/

Sketchbook - Colored Pencil http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookcoloredpencil/

Sketchbook - Pastel http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookpastel/

Instructor: Cynthia Padilla Dallas, TX [centered sketching demo ] international instructor of all-media painting and drawing for prestigious universities, major museums and art societies and travel leader on art tours and retreats worldwide. The popular Ghost Ranch instructor has been returning to lead 'on-location' workshops annually since 2005. Avoid disappointment and register now.

 Lodging Info: http://ghostranch.org/ghost-ranch-workshops/lodgingmeals//lodgingmeals/

Annual Workshop: Guatemala 2014 Confirmed

Painting/Sketching/Journaling en Plein Air


Slideshow photos of Antigua - Lake Atitlan contribution of international pool of generous photographers w/ a shared passion for the culture & color, people & places, flora & fauna and traditions of Guatemala, 'Land of Eternal Spring.' Thank you.

WORKSHOP  2014 !  OCT 27'ish - NOV 5'ish  ANNUALLY

NATURE SKETCHING/ TRAVEL JOURNALING/ BOTANICAL ARTS: http://artguat.org/docsclasses/classpadilla.html with Cynthia Padilla.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Join like-minded art and nature enthusiasts documenting both the natural beauty of Antigua, Guatemala. Join international arts instructor Cynthia Padilla documenting ancient structures, tropical landscapes, colorful markets, and private courtyard gardens. Spend unhurried time building a journal collection of rough sketches, tiny vignettes, notes & notations, finished paintings, measurements and personal musings. All the while lulled by splashing fountains and gentle breezes of working ‘en plein air.’(translation: Out doors).

Suggested transportable mediums: Pencil, pen & ink, colored pencil, pastel, (including the new Pan Pastels), acrylic (incl the new 'open' acrylics), watercolor, w/c pencil, w/c crayon.

Complete beginners to advanced and returning artists will find a unique art and cultural adventure awaits beyond Antigua’s ancient color-washed walls.

ANTIGUA: Our home base is a delightful cobblestoned, bougainvillea-draped town with an international ambiance. Internet coffee shops, funky outdoor cafes, art galleries, open-air markets, artisan crafts and warm hearted, welcoming people: http://www.flickr.com/groups/391329@N20/pool/ and view some of our previous sketch sites, field trips and workshop participants: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cynthiapadilla/sets/72157602588307547/

LAKE ATITLAN: (3) nights. See photos http://www.slide.com/r/rrYO49lR3T_RrHDgVvMmfAJsYSvmxFgd?previous_view=lt_embedded_url

REGISTRATION: Art Workshops in Guatemala offering 10-day educational travel programs that are off the beaten track and at a very reasonable price. Total package price, including tuition, lodging in lovely colonial style hotels, hearty breakfasts; ground transportation and field trips. $1925 approx. USD

Contact Liza Fourré, Director. (612) 825-0747 Web: http://www.artguat.org/ Email: fourre@artguat.org For workshop content questions contact instructor Cynthia Padilla, here or via email: padillapost@gmail.com

Past Guatemala Workshops:  
2012 Oct 27-Nov 5
2011 Oct 27-Nov 5
2010 July 22-30
2009 July 19-27
2008 Mar 6-15
2007 Feb 18-27

Workshop-The Craft Guild Dallas

Class: 'Quick Sketching - On Location'

Dates: Sat, June 23, 2012. 10-2:30pm

Register: The Craft Guild Dallas http://www.craftguildofdallas.com/

Description: An introduction to working ‘on location:  Landscapes, street scenes, art, architecture, nature?  Even en route, on the train, and over coffee…we fill our sketchbooks.  Emphasis on practice and exploration, not producing finished works. Emerge with an invaluable workbook sampler filled with quick-sketch studies, exercises, notations and wee vignettes in the medium of your choice. Supply list at registration.

Sketch Site: The Dallas Arboretum http://www.dallasarboretum.org/  [Meet just inside the Arboretum main entrance, there are benches to sit on.]

In conjunction with artist Dale Chihuly’s hand blown glass art installation in and around the grounds and gardens you’ll learn how to portray reflective surfaces. 

General Art Supplies & Materials Overview: http://artinstructor.blogspot.com/2009/04/supplies-materials-overview.html

View Sketchbook Techniques:

1.    Pencil http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchdraw/

2.    Pen http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookpen/

3.    Watercolor http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookwatercolor/

4.    Watercolor Pencil/Watercolor Crayon http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookwcpencilcrayon/

5.    Colored Pencil http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookcoloredpencil/

6.    Pastel http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookpastel/

The Hidden Beauty of Pollination

Cynthia Padilla, Demonstration Artist

Demos and presentations customized to your audience/event/venue/ area of the country/technique/genre/medium etc.

Am I Coming To Your Town? Request Me.

Comment here or e request: padillapost2@gmail.com

ARTIST DEMOS 2011:
Dallas Arboretum, Dallas, TX. ArtScape: http://www.dallasarboretum.org/artscape/index.htm

ARTIST DEMOS 2010:
Visual Artist of Cedar Hill, TX.
Texas Outdoors Woman Network, Dallas, TX.

ARTIST DEMOS 2009:
Jr. League Dallas, Garden Club, Dallas, TX.
Trinity River Audubon Center, Dallas, TX.

ARTIST DEMOS 2008:
Designers & Diggers, Dallas, TX.
Creative Arts Center of Dallas, Dallas, TX.
Dallas Area Fiber Artists, Dallas, TX.
Society of Watercolor Artists Fort Worth, TX.
North East Texas Fine Art Association, Terrell, TX
Ellis County Art Association, Waxahacie,TX
Lancaster Art Club, Lancaster, TX.
Dallas Museum of Art, TX.
Plano Art Association, Plano,TX

ARTIST DEMOS 2007:
Amarillo Art Institute, Amarillo, TX.

ARTIST DEMOS 2006:
Art Club, Dallas, TX.

ARTIST DEMOS 2003:
Meadows Museum, Dallas, TX.

ARTIST DEMOS 2002:
Dallas Museum of Art
Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas, TX.
Austin Bookworkers, Austin, TX.
Texas Native Plant Society, Dallas, TX.

Upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Tips: Drawing From Live Specimens

Stance
Determine the specimen’s best ‘side.’ Stare. Begin a rough sketch. Muse. Does this angle tell the story? If not, toss the sketch and begin again. It’s just a sketch after all.

Specimen Boss
Work up the sketch and then stick with it. When drawing from a live specimen, it will turn, droop, unfurl, etc. If you continue to erase and begin again under the whims of the specimen, you will learn a lot about the specimen [a good thing] but not get far along on your project [NOT a good thing].


Upcoming related exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Technique: Pastel over Graphite Pencil

--Cynthia Padilla

Cynthia Padilla, leading 'Pastel Over Pen/Pencil' Workshops Internationally.

Am I Coming To Your Town? Request Me!

See all upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Technique: Watercolor [Prang] over India Ink

---Sketchbook entries of Cynthia Padilla

See all upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Technique: Watercolor [Pocket Box] over Pen

--Sketchbook entries of Cynthia Padilla

See all upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Technique: Watercolor [Wheel] over Pen

--Sketchbook entries of Cynthia Padilla

See all upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Gouache

GOUACHE PAINTING TIPS & TECHNIQUES 
by Cynthia Padilla

Gouache, applied opaquely or transparently, is an easy medium to learn and can adapt to many styles of painting in studio or out. For the beginner just trying to add color to their repertoire, gouache might have all of the qualities to satisfy all your 'intro to color' needs.

Remember back to your childhood…painting with poster paint? Gouache is that beloved poster paint memory, all grown up!

Lay the color on thick and creamy and cover huge surfaces without a hint of brush stroke. There is no panic to paint fast and furious, as beginning watercolorists tend to do. You can even paint your entire background in first, and then put the details on top. It does not matter if the details on top will be lighter in color...gouache is an opaque medium.

Opaque
Unlike painting in transparent watercolors, gouache lies on the surface. This means that on colored grounds (even black paper) the paint color remains true and (if applied heavy enough, of course) unaffected by the ground color below.

Gouache dries to a smooth matte finish and the finished painting has a flawless sophisticated suede-like quality. Indeed gouache is frequently used in the design and illustration industry. Although mostly thought of as a studio medium gouache can be an ideal medium for working outdoors on location.

Transparent
Gouache is basically opaque watercolor and just like watercolor, you can achieve loose juicy washes. Gouache is made by grinding pigments together in the same medium as is used for watercolor and can be applied to paper in the same manner, remaining workable even after it dries on the painting surface.

Tips
When mixing to match, always test the color on the side and wait for it to dry. Darker colors appear lighter when dry, and the light color you were aiming for suddenly looks darker when it dries.

Get Portable
Instead of hauling paint tubes out on location, squeeze dollaps of color into the wells of a small covered palette, allow gouache to dry, close lid and head out to paint.

Ready? Set? Paint!
Once on location add ½ to equal amount of water to the paint. Stir with the stick end of your brush.  For opaque coverage the consistency should be creamy. For tranparent subjects just add more and more water. Paint!

Back in the studio the gouache remaining in your palette will last until your next foray out of doors. Even after dried to hard bits. Simply spritz or re wet and you are back in business. So dedicate a palette for gouache and don’t wash it out.

Pronunciation
'Gwash' or 'goo-wash.'

Examples
These paintings showcase gouaches special properties. Click links to view:

1. Opaque Coverage
[ Gouache painted on black mat board http://earthpetalwing.blogspot.com/2011/01/egg.html ]

2. Translucency
[I didnt want 'transparent'...just a hint of 'sheer' to signify the fragility of the butterfly's wing: http://earthpetalwing.blogspot.com/2011/01/butterfly-pipevine-swallowtail.html ]

3. On Location
[Applied opaque and sheer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cynthiapadilla/132459868/in/set-72157602587789015

# # #

Copyright & Usage Information

Copyrighted material. This content in any form, cannot be reused, reprinted, or copied in any manner without the express written permission of Cynthia Padilla. Request at padillapost@gmail.com

See all upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Workshops: On Location

--Cynthia Padilla sketchbook sketching.

PLEIN AIR/ ON - LOCATION WORKSHOPS
Relaxed workshops in beautiful settings worldwide guides complete beginner as well as studio artist into this beloved tradition. 

The sketchbook will be introduced for its unique suitability to house works ranging from the loose intuitive sketch with margin notes & notations---to small format works ready to frame. 

Demos, handouts, lively discussions, individual critiques and one-on-one instruction in the mediums brought into class. We work in and/or out of doors (en plein air), on location, so weather does not cancel. Dress prepared for all conditions.

Past Plein Air Workshops: Alphabetical
Arkansas  
Mountain View @Ozark Folk School

Arizona
Tucson @Tohono Chul Park

Colorado
Pagosa Springs @PSAC Art Association

Connecticut
Brookfield @Brookfield Craft Center
New London @Connecticut College Arboretum
Redding @New Pond Farm

Guatemala, Central America
Antigua @Art Workshops in Guatemala

Kansas
Lake Quivira @Lake Quivira Garden Club
Stilwell @Red Cedar Garden

Massachusetts
Jamaica Plain @Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Martha's Vineyard @Polly Hill Arboretum

Missouri
Columbia @Columbia Art League
Joplin @Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center
Kansas City @Powell Gardens
St Louis @ Missouri Botanic Garden

New Mexico
Abiquiu @Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center
Albuquerque @New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science; Rio Grande Botanic Garden
Santa Fe @Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center

Ontario, Canada
Southampton @Southampton Art School

Texas
Austin @Lake Austin Spa Resort
Dallas Arboretum - for Southern Methodist University
Farmers Branch, TX- Historical Park, Dallas Zoo, North Park Mall - for SAIL
Fort Worth - for Texas Christian U @The Kimbell, Amon Carter and Modern museums.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden -for Texas Christian University
Plano - for SAIL

Workshops: Field Sketching

--Ernest Thompson Seton, naturalist. 1860-1946.













WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION  Field sketches are simple but identifiable drawings executed out of doors from direct observation. Observe and record plants, flowers and their growth habits. Along the way, international instructor of botanical arts/natural science illustration Cynthia Padilla demos technique. Emerge with a sketchbook of careful studies, quick scribbles, convincing renderings, diminutive landscape vignettes, notes & notations, measurements & musings and the confidence to continue this beloved tradition, pairing art and science, on your own.

We work out of doors, en plein air, so dress for all conditions.

Welcome art and nature enthusiasts, the curious, and educators desiring to integrate these activities.


'Workshop Techniques: Pencil' photos: http://www.flickr.com/groups/fldsktpencil/pool/
Supplies & Materials tips, techniques, details: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/2008/05/supplies-overview.html

2013 FIELD SKETCHING WORKSHOPS:

2012 FIELD SKETCHING WORKSHOPS:

2011 FIELD SKETCHING WORKSHOPS:

Fort Worth, TX for TCU @ Fort Worth Botanic Garden http://www.fwbg.org/
'Field Sketching: A Fort Worth Botanical Garden Late Summer'
(3) Sat, Sept 17, 24, Oct 1, 2011. 10:15am-3pm


Antigua, Guatemala
'Nature / Botanical Sketching' http://artinstructor.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-workshop-guatemala.html
(10 days) Oct 27- Nov 5, 2011.

 FIELD SKETCHING WORKSHOP CLIENTS:
Arkansas
Mountain View, AR @Ozark Folk School

Arizona
Tucson, AZ @Tohono Chul Park

Colorado
Pagosa Springs, CO @PSAC Art Association

Connecticut
Brookfield, CT @Brookfield Craft Center
New London, CT @Connecticut College Arboretum
Redding, CT @New Pond Farm

Guatemala, Central America
Antigua, Art Workshops in Guatemala

Kansas
Lake Quivera, KS @Lake Quivira Garden Club
Stilwell, KS @Red Cedar Garden

Massachusetts
Jamaica Plain, MA @Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Martha's Vineyard, MA @Polly Hill Arboretum

Missouri
Columbia, MO @Columbia Art League
Joplin, MO @Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center
Kansas City, MO @Powell Gardens
St Louis, MO @Missouri Botanic Garden

New Mexico
Abiquiu, NM @ Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center
Albuquerque, NM@ New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, Rio Grande Botanic Garden
Santa Fe, NM@ Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center

Ontario, Canada
Southampton @Southampton Art School

Texas
Austin, TX @ Lake Austin Spa
Dallas, TX. Southern Methodist University @ Dallas Arboretum
Fort Worth,TX. Texas Christian University @ Fort Worth Botanic Garden

 
Cynthia Padilla, leading Field Sketching Workshops Internationally. Am I Coming To Your Town? Request Me!

See all upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Workshop: Botanical Arts Sampler Series

Pencil Sampler: Graphite Pencil/Colored Pencil
A unique opportunity to learn the basics of of rendering accurate depictions of plants and flowers in dry mediums. Leave the class with the basic knowledge of each and enough experience to continue any or all on your own.

Painting Sampler: Acrylic/Gouache/Watercolor
A unique opportunity to learn the basics of painting in 3 different mediums in one workshop. Leave the class with the basic knowledge of each and enough experience to continue any or all on your own. No previous painting experience needed.

Portable Mediums Sampler: Watersoluble Graphite Pencil/Watercolor Pencil/Watercolor Crayon
A unique opportunity to learn the basics of painting in three different mediums in one workshop. You will leave the class with the basic knowledge of each and enough experience to continue any or all on your own. No previous painting experience needed.

Workshop: Natura Morte

--Balthasar Van Der Ast

Still Life Painting from the Masters: Natura Morte
Workshop (all media)/Demo/and or Trunk Show

Learn how to draw and paint beautifully via the genre of still life with a realistic portrayal of your areas seasonal bounty of fruit, flower, vegetable.

Workshop: Botanical Portraits

Complete a frameable piece of art in these specialty workshops:

--C.Padilla

Orchids Workshop -Learn the basics of drawing and painting stunning orchids.









--C.Padilla


Tropicals Workshop- Learn the basics of drawing and painting dramatic tropical plants and flowers.








Wildflowers Workshop

Cacti Workshop

Workshop: Field Sketching (Fort Worth Botanical Garden)

Field Sketching: A Fort Worth Botanical Garden Early Autumn

(3) Sat.10:15 - 3pm Sept -Oct.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden http://www.fwbg.org/

Texas Christian University www.lifelong.tcu.edu

Learn how to draw while filling a sketchbook journal with quick studies, detailed renderings, measurements, and musings. 

Cynthia Padilla lectures internationally as a professional botanical artist/natural science illustrator for universities, art and science museums, and arboreta world-wide and travels the world documenting nature in a sketchbook journal. http://earthpetalwing.blogspot.com/

Exhibition: Earth, Petal, Wing / Tierra Pétalo Ala

What: Exhibit: 'Earth, Petal, Wing / Tierra Pétalo Ala' - A Collection of Scientific Illustrations and Botanical Paintings.
When: Spring 2011.
Where: Texas Discovery Gardens  Dallas, TX.
View Exhibition Online: http://earthpetalwing.blogspot.com/

'Butterfly on Orchid'--painting of C.Padilla

Upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Workshop: Houston Museum of Natural Science. Houston, TX

Houston Museum of Natural Science http://www.hmns.org/
















FIELD SKETCHING: Drawn to Nature
(3) Days. 10am-3pm. TBA
Shifting clouds against blue skies, a dancing butterfly and a bird on the wing, fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and capture nature in Houston. After initial instruction in the classroom, the group will move outdoors amongst dozens of species of plants, herbs and flowers on the Museum’s grounds and in the gardens of the Houston Garden Center. Early naturalists exploring the countryside recorded their observations in field journals. We will learn to do the same.

International botanical artist/naturalist illustrator Cynthia Padilla premiers this special 3-day workshop to Houston with The Houston Museum of Natural Science. Learn how to sketch quickly, draw what you see accurately, and paint beautifully outdoors in nature. This workshop is not limited to artists but designed for nature lovers, the curious, and educators desiring to integrate these activities into art/science/writing

CREDITS:
Teachers earn 12 hours of CPU credits.Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, etc inquire through your organization regarding recogniton as professional development/practical knowledge/personal enrichment credits.

INSTRUCTORS NOTE:
Supply list will be sent prior to course date. We work out of doors, or sheltered as conditions dictates, but weather does not cancel. There are no refunds. Dress in layers for all conditions. The workshop will proceed rain or shine.

REGISTER :

Because this is a special Visiting Artist Workshop, payment must accompany registration. There are a limited number of spaces and they will be reserved on a first-come first served basis. Ph: (713) 639-4629 Address: One Hermann Circle Dr, Houston, TX 77030 Email: adulted@hmns.org

Upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Artist in Residence: North Haven Gardens. Dallas, TX

Cynthia Padilla, 'Artist in Residence' 2005 - present. 7700 Northaven Road, Dallas, TX.

Artists in the Garden Workshop Series - A unique opportunity to learn basic floral painting & drawing mediums and techniques with other beginners. The instruction is warm and encouraging, the atmosphere relaxed:

Botanical Art: Drawing for the Complete Beginner-Discover hidden artistic drawing talent.

Botanical Art: Painting for the Complete Beginner-Discover hidden artistic painting talent.

Botanical Art: Sketching & Painting Wildflowers - Wonderful wildflowers from North Haven Gardens collection will be on display for your artistic inspiration.

Botanical Art: Sketching & Painting Herbs - Fragrant herbs from North Haven  Gardens collection will be on display for your artistic inspiration.

Botanical Arts: Orchids - Colorful orchids from North Haven Gardens collection will be on display for  your artistic inspiration.

Upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Workshop: Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Humble, TX

Cynthia Padilla, 'Visiting Artist' http://www.hcp4.net/mercer
Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Humble, TX.


Botanical Arts Workshop Series
Fall 2006
'Painting Botanical Miniatures-Gouache' - Sun Nov


Spring 2006
'Botanical Drawing for the Complete Beginner '- Fri May 19
'Botanical Painting for the Complete Beginner' - Sat May 20
'Painting Botanical Miniatures-Colored Pencil' - Sun May 21

2005
'Intro to Botanical Drawing' - May 20
'Intro to Botanical Painting'- May 22

Supplies & Materials Overview - Field Sketching/On Location

Of the many considerations for choosing art supplies & materials for ‘on location’ work, portability is key. The following checklist of my favorites are presented with consideration of absolute necessity and ease of working in wildly varied conditions.

WORKSHOP TECHNIQUE: SKETCHING & DRAWING

___ Pencil Range from a dizzying array of numbers and brands. Range from a dizzying array of numbers and brands. For working on location, narrow the options by choosing something in the mid range---such as an HB or an F. 

___Sharpener Small hand held canister style.

___Emery Board Small, free, portable and functions to

 'brighten' the pencil tip.

 .




___Eraser The soft and pulley kneaded leaves no crumbs to sweep away and can be 'kneaded' into specific shape for erasure precision. A white vinyl eraser, erases marks cleaner. Avoid colored erasers and any eraser sitting atop a pencil


___Sketch Books/Pads Spiral bound suggested for all mediums/techniques below. The dimensions remain the same when opened, whereas a bound sketchbook, doubles in size. Look for standard sizes like 9 x 12, 8 ½ x11’ish. Get a book that fits in your backpack.
Papers labeled 'drawing' are a heavier weight than 'sketching'.


___Hand Lens Reveals the glorious details you would miss with just the naked eye.

___Bulldog Clamps Secures pages shut in the wind.








WORKSHOP TECHNIQUE: PEN / INK/ JOURNALING
If working in pen, add to the above BASICS list, the following:
___Pen or Pen Set Black, waterproof, fade resistant, archival i.e. Micron, Pilot, Zig, Sakura, Staedleter, Pitt, etc. Quality ball point pens are acceptable

___Sketch Books/Pads For optimum pen movement across the paper without skips or drags, look for descriptive words like 'hot press' or 'vellum surface.'


WORKSHOP TECHNIQUE: WATER SOLUBLE GRAPHITE PENCIL

___ WATER SOLUBLE PENCIL Dissolves in water for a lovely subtle grey wash. Available in light, medium and dark. Or packaged with all 3 greys. This medium is lovely over pen & ink.
If working in water soluble graphite pencil, add them to the above BASICS and PEN lists.






WORKSHOP TECHNIQUE: WATERCOLOR (abbreviated as w/c)
Pan set only. Not w/c in tubes. Tube are heavy, cumbersome, messy and the process of opening and closing wee caps, all day long, defeats the purpose of easy, quick sketching.

If working in wc, add to the above BASICS list, the following:

___Watercolors Look for the compact pan watercolors described as a field box, pocket box or travel set, etc. The lid doubles as the mixing palette, a tiny retractable paintbrush will be included and the more expensive…the more cool  extras you’ll discover. That entire set, fully opened, should fit in your palm.  A very affordable option is a child’s ‘ Prang’ set.  Limited color selection, but these pan colors are rich and creamy and quite serviceable for beginners to advanved http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/2009/01/technique.html

___Sketch Books/Pads Paper weight hefty enough and/ or indicated as ‘suitable for water media.’ Avoid rough surface paper. Hot press or ‘grain fin’ is a perfect surface for detailed drawing PLUS wet media. Available via online art suppliers but hard to find in retail stores.

___Brush (1) small and/or (1) medium watercolor round. Must come to a fine tip. Or look for the new ‘waterbrush,’ its handle contains and dispenses the water.

___Palette Small metal or plastic palettes are susceptible to flipping over outdoors  and making a mess of your page. Ceramic or porcelain palettes are sturdier and easy to clean.

Looked for the hard plastic version w a lid. [extra space for color mixing].



___Water Container Anything lightweight, portable. Tight fitted lid suggested if you will need to carry water from place to place. [A plastic mayonnaise jar is ideal shape/size for all -day workshops...a simple plastic drinking water bottle should suffice for half days]. Many options online marketed to plein air painters ie the collapsible containers.

___Spritzer A wee sized mister/atomizer to keep paints moist and workable out doors. Or a
___ Medicine Dropper Free at many Target, WalMart, TomThumb, Kroeger and similar pharmacists counters.

___Rag absorbant cotton dish rag or old Tshirt.

WORKSHOP TECHNIQUE: WATERCOLOR PENCIL OR W/C CRAYON
If working in the new Watercolor Pencils or Watercolor Crayons, add to the above BASICS list and WATERCOLOR list the following:
___Pad Compare brands and decide on the wc pad with the smoothest [ie hot press-like] surface. Not easy to find. But a rough surface paper will trap and scuff the wc pencil strokes, resulting in a child-like painting and you will abandon this fun and portable wc medium. A pad labeled bristol vellum is not a wc pad and not marketed to watercolorists but one you should give a try.

___Water Container  Hauling around a water source is not an issue with these wet/dry   mediums. Simply color [dry] on location and paint [add water to the coloring] later.


WORKSHOP TECHNIQUE: ACRYLIC

Ideal for building subtle glazes of color layers. New ‘open’ acrylics are formulated to stay wet and workable long enough for on location work. As a ‘teaching artist’ for Chroma’s Interactive professional acrylics, it is the brand I demo in, teach with, and use in my own work.

If you want to give acrylics a try, bring in acrylics, all the supplies listed in WATERCOLOR and:

___Miscellaneous Coffee stirrers;  Lidded palette dedicated only for your time acrylic painting on location. Look for the Tupperware - type rubber one w the very tight fitted lid. My local JoAnne store has this item.

 WORKSHOP TECHNIQUE: PASTEL [Soft pastel/ often referred to as chalk pastel].
In stick, pencil, crayon form and the new ‘pan’ pastels. Few think of pastel as a 'field sketching/on location. I'll teach you all the tricks:

If giving pastels a try, add to the ‘BASICS’ above, the following:

___Pastels A set with the smallest sticks equals more colors for the money and less to carry.

___Pan Pastels I'm loving these. 

___Pastel Pad or other suitable for dry media. [ie 9 x 12 Strathmore charcoal pad, assorted tints]. Pads interwoven with protective glassine pages recommended if you can find them.

___Glassine or Waxed paper. Or simply slip sheets of translucent protective glassine paper between each page of any pastel pad yourself. Do this at home before workshop.

___Blending A small cut of a high quality chamois; Sponge  make-up wedges and sponge- tip eye shadow applicators.

___Drafting Tape Preplaced on papers edges help
keep fingers clean.

___ Rag Kept damp inside a ziplock bag to keep finger tips clean.


WORKSHOP TECHNIQUE: COLORED PENCIL (abbreviated as cp)
In addition to the ‘BASICS’ above, include the supplies under ‘PEN.’

___Colored Pencils Avoid kiddie quality sets. Professional or Artist grade cps will be soft and creamy with uniform color and texture.

___Blending Colorless blender pencil contains the stuff in a cp ie wax and fillers but not the pigment. Blends layer colors into one, seamlessly, links ombred skies, and creates transparent, jewel-like effects when burnishing; Soft Tshirt-like fabric scrap.

___Sketch Book For advanced artists seeking the optimum in blendability and layering, look for descriptive words like hot press or bristol vellum or just a vellum surface. Likely only at online sources…not at local art & craft retailers.

 INSTRUCTOR MUSINGS & SAGE ADVICE
___Weather There's nothing to compare to breaking free from the confines of a studio to work outdoors, on location. Check weather forecast before depart and then re - pack. Wide brimmed hat or cozy cap; Cotton bandana or wool muff; Gloves or sunglasses; Sturdy broken-in footwear, boot warmers; Rain gear – poncho/slicker, wee umbrella; etc. Embrace the swings of all outdoor conditions...changing temps, quick downpours, howling winds, dust in eyes. Yes!
___Dress We do lots of standing/sitting/stooping. Think baggy clothes, loose waists, pockets, thick jacket tied at waist to sit on. And outfits you can dust off and wear again next day. Please... no purse!
___Backpack ALL supplies must fit inside, so that we move about hands free. NOTE: An option to the backpack is the..

___Fishing Vest/Photographer’s Vest Lots of zippered pockets, mesh, snaps etc hold all your art gear

___Seating REQUIRED. For all - day sketching from locale to locale comfort tuck some small seating option in your backpack: ie foam stadium pad, or gardeners kneeling pad, etc.  The compact three-leg sketch stool that folds up like a wee umbrella is great if you are driving or have room in a suitcase. But DO NOT plan to simply sketch for the duration of the workshop standing, squatting or kneeling. Some form of seating is MANDATORY

___Miscellaneous  Insect repellent; Personal 1st aids/meds/'scripts; Extra eye glasses; Whistle; Dry socks; Cell phone; Bandana.

___Lunch Some workshop formats don’t break for an official lunch so pack a snacks, thermos and always sufficient bottled water.


ITINERARY 
Tentative and subject to change each session...hourly...and/or minute by minute. Sketching on location entails varying plans according to opportunities, weather, luck, and serendipity. Please be an agreeable team player!

See all upcoming exhibits, demos, workshop/retreats: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html