Natural History Illustration: Colored Pencil Focus

7 Wednesday Evenings, January 29-March 11, 2020, 6:30-9pm

Gain confidence in observing form while working with biological subjects to document and interpret what you see. An introduction to the practice of natural science illustration is complemented by critique sessions allowing students to discuss and respond to each other’s work. Build observational and visual interpretation skills while exploring illustration using a variety of techniques, including graphite, pen and ink, and colored pencil. Explore how these essential media are applied to make drawings into more refined illustrations.

The focus of this fundamental course is drawing, from gestural sketching to precision rendering of illustrations for scientific purposes. Each student is given the opportunity to render selected subjects in a variety of demonstrated techniques. This class can be taken as part of a series with the next season’s offering, which will focus on watercolor techniques rather than colored pencil.

All levels welcome.

Instructor Sharon Birzer is an artist and Natural History Illustrator. In her work, Sharon employs close observation and utilizes traditional media as well as digital tools. She teaches college art classes, school residences, as well as illustration workshops. She shows her artwork nationally and internationally. Sharon holds a BFA from Cornish College, and MFA from the University of Washington and has studied Natural Science Illustration at UW. She has created illustration work for exhibits and publications for places such as the Seattle Art Museum and The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.