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The Art of Natural History Illustration
February 20 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
$416.00A 8-Week Online Workshop!
Tuesdays, February 20–April 9, 6-8pm ET via Zoom
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About this Workshop:
Join us for an 8-week introduction to the fascinating world of natural history illustration, combining slide presentations of historical examples with hands-on studio assignments. We will examine the lives and motives of some of the great explorers and discoverers that gathered and illustrated specimens from around the globe. Each week we will immerse ourselves in a different field of study (botany, zoology, ornithology, entomology, and more) and examine the most beautiful or peculiar illustrations from Ancient Greece to 19th century America. Demonstrations on drawing from observation and working in various media to imitate the look of traditional printing techniques will be provided to assist students as they work independently on their specimen illustrations.
Level: Intermediate – Students should have previous drawing experience and be comfortable with their representational drawing skills.
Registration extended to February 16, 2024. With your registration you’ll receive the full materials list (with helpful links) to gather and/or purchase your items, as well as any helpful handouts about the process and access to a quick 1-page “how-to” on downloading and using the Zoom video app.
PLEASE NOTE: All workshops will be recorded for Pyramid Atlantic’s private use to better optimize our programming and share as examples for funders. You may mute your microphone or turn off your camera if you do not wish to be recorded. Participants who miss any session will have access to the recording for a limited time.
Sample images by Kate Samworth
CLASS MATERIALS LIST:
Registration does not include any provided materials. Students will need to gather/purchase their own supplies for class, including:
- Sketch pad (size determined by student’s preference) – examples
- HB, 2B, 6B pencils (mechanical pencil recommended but not required)
- Rubber eraser
- Acrylic inks: sepia, cadmium or spectrum red, cadmium or spectrum yellow, ultramarine blue
- Hot press watercolor paper, 90 or 140 pound (size determined by student’s preference)
- Colored Pencils (primary and secondary colors plus black and burnt umber or sepia)
- Bristol paper or student’s choice of nice paper for dry media
YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Kate Samworth is a fine artist and illustrator with over 25 years of teaching experience. Her work explores the fear and wonder of the natural world through highly detailed drawings of imaginary places. She explores the spiritual questions raised by observing nature and addresses the existential anxieties expressed in folklore and fairy tales. Samworth received her BFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and has illustrated several books, including the Kirkus Prize winning Aviary Wonders, Inc. and New York Times bestseller, Why Fish Don’t Exist. Her work can be found in several public and private collections and is regularly exhibited in various galleries and online. Samworth teaches art online through the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Rhode Island School of Design, Yale Peabody Museum, and Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Learn more about her work at katesamworth.com.