Nature Journaling 2: Field Sketching

Nature Journaling 2: Field Sketching
May 13, 2017: 9am-4pm
(Bring your own lunch)

Instructor
Gretchen Halpert

Biography
Gretchen Halpert moved to the Finger Lakes from Providence, RI, where she taught Nature Journaling at the Rhode Island School of Design/CE. Halpert earned a BA in Botany from Connecticut College, studied biological illustration at the University of New Haven Graduate School and received a certificate in Scientific and Technical Illustration from RISD/CE. She was employed as a scientist for many years and has taught medical and natural science illustration for RISD/CE, Brown University and numerous other organizations since 1994. Her drawings have appeared in books, journals and scientific publications. She is past president of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI), Inc, a member of the GNSI-Finger Lakes, and founding director of the Scientific Illustration Distance Program.

Link to Artist Website
www.gretchenhalpert.com

Background
Students may be interested in (but are not required to) check out this Smithsonian introduction to nature journaling.
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/journals/smithsonian_siyc_fall06.pdf

Description
In this second of a two-part series in nature journaling, expert nature illustrator Gretchen Halpert leads students in this class focusing on increasing observation skills and capturing nature on paper. What does the air smell like? How many feathers on that bird and why are they different? How do I draw this animal? Participants of any range of experience explore accessible techniques used by professional artists. Drawing and writing exercises blend seamlessly on the pages of your journal to create a focused, in-depth nature study. Open to all; no experience necessary.

Use the journal you made in Part I, or bring your own sketchbook.

Materials List
The most important and only critical material for this class is a sketchbook (or single sheets of paper on a clipboard). Bring whatever size you are comfortable with, but nothing larger than 11x14.

Bring any of the following materials at your own choosing:

• Large elastic bands or clips to keep pages from turning in a breeze
• Pencils- 3H, HB, B, 2B
• Pencil sharpener (not electric!)
• Eraser
• Black fine top marker-pilot razor point (water soluble) and pigma waterproof (size 005 and 0)
• Colored pencils- 6-8 colors, including a blue, red, yellow and green
• Watercolors-small travel set. Pan colors as opposed to tubes. A cheap plastic children’s set is fine.
• Decent quality watercolor brush(es)-size 4 with a good point works well.
• Water container with lid (a couple empty film canisters will work)
• Cotton rag or paper towel
• Hand lens
• Portable stool if you don’t want to stand outside or sit in the grass
• Field guides (optional)
• Appropriate clothing, hat, drinking water, sunscreen, bug spray, bag lunch
• A knapsack or tote bag

Note: if you have similar supplies to what is listed and don’t wish to buy more, just bring what you have. Try to pack light (don’t bring a set of 96 colored  pencils). You may also include any of your favorite supplies.