This is a virtual class that will be presented over Zoom.

Develop your skills in drawing botanical subjects with colored pencils in this relaxing practice of connecting with nature. Learn blending, layering colors, combining graphite with colored pencils, underpainting with colored pencils and other techniques with step-by-step instructions. Subjects include flowers, fruits, leaves, peppers, and more. Some experience with observational drawing in graphite is recommended. Beginning and continuing students in colored pencil work are welcome. Continuing students will practice the fundamental techniques and also develop a larger project with instructor support and feedback.

Limited scholarships are available. Contact Erin Kaufman at ekaufman@svac.org or 802-367-1306.

Botanical Drawing Fundamentals Supplies List
-Pad of smooth drawing paper, i.e. Bristol Smooth, 9” x 12”, 15-25 sheets, such as Canson brand.
-Sketchpad, 8×10 or larger.
-Hot Press watercolor paper, sheets or block, Stonehenge Aqua Hotpress by Legion or Blick Hot Press or similar brand, 9×12 inches, around 15 sheets, 140 lb.
-Roll of white trace paper, 12 inches.
-HB, H, 2H and 4H graphite pencils.
-Colored pencils: the following 24 Faber-Castell Polychromos brand colored pencils are chosen specifically for drawing many botanical subjects. We will begin the class with the greens, ivory and grays. Don’t worry if you cannot purchase all colors at once – we will use what you have.
101 White
103 Ivory
102 Cream
184 Dark Naples Ochre
118 Scarlet Red
142 Madder
123 Fuchsia
133 Magenta
194 Red Violet
193 Burnt Carmine
134 Crimson
138 Violet
157 Dark Indigo
172 Earth Green
278 Chrome Green Oxide
174 Chromium Green Opaque
168 Earth Green Yellowish
170 May Green
179 Bistre
178 Nougat
175 Dark Sepia
230 Cold Grey I
275 Warm Grey IV
274 Warm Grey V
-Colorless blender pencil, Rembrandt Splender by Lyra brand.
-Colorless blending marker, ProMarker, Winsor & Newton brand, which is alcohol-based, or other brand.
-Kneaded eraser, sand eraser (by Mono if available) and plastic erasers.
-Portable pencil sharpener. I highly recommend the Muji brand portable hand sharpener. It is excellent for sharpening colored pencils, and is available on Amazon currently. This sharpener creates an amazing point which is long lasting and does not waste a lot of pencil in the sharpening process. A key to successful botanical drawing in colored pencils is using a very sharp pencil, so do consider purchasing a good sharpener. Another good brand is the Rapesco sharpener.
-Ruler. Clear plastic is best for measuring, but use what is available.
-Embossing stylus, size 0.5
-Magnifying glass.
Supplies available at dickblick.com or cheapjoes.com or other online art retailers.

Corry Buckwalter is an art instructor, artist, and landscape designer based in North Adams, MA. She is committed to teaching observational drawing and painting techniques in a systematic and nurturing process. A painter in acrylic, oil and watercolor, Corry has shown and sold her paintings in juried exhibitions for more than 10 years while living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She studied botanical drawing with UK botanical artist Ann Swan and also at the School of Botanical Art and Illustration at Denver Botanical Gardens. Corry’s website is: www.corrybuckwalter.com.