Drawing from Nature & Culture: Stones, Bones, Pods & Pots with Helen Byers – G26010201
Join Helen Byers in this exciting course devoted to realistic drawing! Helen’s detailed demonstrations and personalized instruction will guide participants with techniques in 3 media: graphite, ink, and charcoal. Subjects will include an inspiring array of specimens including rocks, shells, fossils, plants (seedpods, cones, twigs), and animal bones, as well as cultural artifacts from the Ghost Ranch Museums of Anthropology and Paleontology.
The first week, we’ll take a look at scientific art and illustration precedents, along with modern ones. Following Helen’s demos, participants will practice working in each medium. The second week, everyone will focus on mastering one medium and technique, or decide to explore each one more. At the end of the second week, we’ll share our work in a group show.
Some drawing experience is helpful, but all levels are welcome. Space will be limited to 10. Your goal may not (yet?) be to become a scientific illustrator, but that’s okay. Either way, your drawing skills will improve, and you’ll experience the winter serenity of Ghost Ranch!
- Skills you will learn and practice:
- – mark-making techniques in each medium
- – tips & tools for representing texture
- – how to go from a sketch to a finish
- – measurement techniques for accuracy
- – the importance of lighting
- – when (or whether) to use photography
- – & more
Instructor
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Helen ByersHelen Byers is an award-winning artist, illustrator, and educator living in New Mexico near Ghost Ranch. Since 2010 her work has focused on botanical and natural science illustration. Since 2005 she has taught annually at the Ranch, where her workshops and retreats have inspired many.
Helen has also taught at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (MA), Concord Center for the Visual Arts (MA), Tin Mountain Conservation Center (NH), Santa Fe Botanical Garden, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and privately. She has exhibited nationally and internationally through juried exhibitions of the American Society of Botanical Artists, and elsewhere. She also participates annually in the Abiquiu Studio Tour.
To learn more about Helen and her work, visit helenbyers.com and facebook.com/helenbyersart.