Botanicals in Color

Botanicals in Color

In-Person Adult Workshop | This program is completed

20 Academy Street Arlington, MA 02476 United States

Main Classroom

All Levels

3/7/2020 (one day)

1:00 PM-5:00 PM on Sat

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60.00 USD

Member Discount Available

Saturday, 3/7, 1:00-5:00 pm


Explore the vibrant and subtle colors of plants, fruits and vegetables with watercolor and colored pencil. Taught by a scientific illustrator, this workshop will focus on the accurate depiction of form while experimenting with a variety of techniques for using colored pencils and watercolor, from quick sketches to slower, more developed images. All skill levels are welcome.

  • Drawing supplies: 2 drawing pencils of different hardnesses (HB and 2B), one grey kneaded eraser, one white plastic eraser

  • Watercolors (either tube watercolors or the pan type are fine -- just buy a reasonably good brand, such as Winsor & Newton, Rembrandt, Grumbacher, Sennelier, Sakura, Holbein, or ask for help at the art supply store; if you buy individual colors (as opposed to a set) I'd recommend having the following: cadmium yellow, cadmium red, alizarin crimson, violet, french ultramarine, prussian blue, sap green, viridian, yellow ochre, burnt sienna)

  • Watercolor paper: Cold press and hot press papers (Arches, Canson and Fabriano are all good, or ask for a good quality paper at the store. Cold press paper can easily be bought in pads, 9x12 or so is fine. Hot press is most often sold in full sheets (22 x 30) - we'll cut them down for smaller pieces. (If you have experience with watercolor and like the watercolor block pads, feel free to get those instead.) If you purchase large individual sheets you’ll need one sheet each of: 140 lb. cold press and 140 lb. hot press. If you are experienced with watercolor and know you prefer cold or hot – feel free to get just that kind.

  • Brushes: At least one sable or sable/synthetic watercolor brush: No. 6 or 7 round; but you may also want a smaller one (size 2 or 3). You may want to bring more variety if you have them already.

  • Colored pencils: not the water soluble kind - preferably Prismacolor, Faber Castell or another good quality brand.

  • Miscellaneous: water container - pasta sauce jar size, or a bit smaller, one plastic or porcelain water color palette, with at least six wells, paper towels,

  • optional: eyedropper/oral syringe, optional: camera (in case you'd like to photograph what you've been drawing to continue work on it later)

Erica is an illustrator specializing in science, health and nature subjects. She holds a BA in Studio Art and specifically studied Scientific and Medical Illustration at RISD Erica has taught observational drawing for the past 15 years at local art centers, schools and museums. Observational drawing is a fun way to connect to the world around you – to record your experiences, respond to nature, think through a problem, express yourself.