top of page
donnett-vanek-cobra-lily.jpg

Observing Nature through Art: Developing skills of observation, drawing, and composition
A one-day workshop with Donnett Vanek

 

Contemporary botanical artist Donnett Vanek creates series of artworks that reflect her observations of plants over several seasons and often years.

 

In this workshop, Donnett will take participants on a short walk through a garden at the Los Angeles Arboretum, discussing her use of notes and photography to record details of plants in their native habitat or garden. She will explore how to develop observations into a series of cohesive artwork.

 

In the classroom, Donnett will demonstrate drawing techniques, perspective, and blocking in a sketch for a composition. Participants will sketch compositions using cuttings for the subject matter. The participants will be encouraged to consider how their compositions can be developed into a series of artworks. Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of how observations and drawing skills enhance their botanical art. Observing nature through art, the botanical artist can encourage people to consider the crucial role we all have in the ecology of our landscape. 

​

Bring a sack lunch, or purchase lunch in the Peacock Café (although, be forewarned, lines tend to be long on the weekends). And, as always, carpooling is encouraged!

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Donnett Vanek, Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei, Bakersfield Cactus. It is endemic to Kern County, CA and is an endangered cactus. 

 

Materials list:

All that is needed are sketch pads, tracing paper, pencils, erasers and hand held sharpeners. I’ve made a list of suggested brands with links, but please bring your favorite supplies—my list is just suggestions. Download the materials list by clicking here.

​

Workshop objective:

Improve drawing, composition and observation skills. Using these skills, participants will learn how to develop a cohesive series of artwork.

​

bakersfield cactus .jpg
lilies.jpg

Information at a Glance

 

DATE:

Saturday, November 9, 2024
10:00 am – 3:00 pm Pacific Time (Room opens at 9:15)

​

Location:

Palm Room

Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden

301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

​​

FEES: (includes admission to the Arboretum)
In celebration of our back-in-person workshops, BAGSC is offering a special workshop registration fee for members!

BAGSC Members: $20.00
Non-members: $50.00
Students: $10.00
​

​

​

​

​

SCHEDULE: (all Pacific Time)

9:15 am, Room open for set-up. Bring your own coffee or tea (BAGSC will supply a sweet something.)

​

10:00 am, Introduction

10:30 am, Observational stroll in garden

11:00 am, Back in classroom

Open the day with a short stroll in the garden. Discussion of observation of plants in their habitat (approximately 20 minutes). How can these observations be developed into a series of artworks?

​

Have trouble walking? No worries! Specimens will be provided for you in the classroom. Please email our instructor by clicking here.

​

Back in the classroom:

•   Choose cuttings to sketch from

•   Why is drawing an important skill

•   Today’s tool—the pencil

•   Fundamentals of drawing

          Understanding value - value exercise

          Let’s loosen up!

                   Blind Contour Drawing and Contour Drawing

                   What is line and how can it be used

                   Techniques using line

•   Perspective

                   Understanding perspective

                   Using perspective in botanical art

                   Perspective exercises 

•   Composition

                   What is composition

                   Creating an interesting, cohesive composition

                   Work on compositions

•   What is a cohesive series of artworks

​

Noon – 1 pm, Lunch. Bring your own or purchase lunch the the Peacock Café (note—weekend lunch lines can be long). The Palm Room will be open and staffed during lunch if you would like to continue working or eat in the room.

​

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Workshop.

​

3:00 – 3:30 pm, Clean-up. All help appreciated. :-)

​__________________________________________________________

​

Carpooling is encouraged.

​

Download a materials list by clicking here. In addition to materials, bring hat, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and anything else you need for being outdoors.

​

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM?
Contact BAGSC Education Committee by clicking here.

​​

PROBLEMS WITH REGISTRATION?
Contact BAGSC Media Committee by clicking here.
​​

About our Presenter

IMG_9284 2.JPG

Donnett Vanek, https://www.donnettvanek.com/

is a contemporary botanical artist working in traditional botanical art techniques such as drybrush watercolor, graphite, and silverpoint. The artist’s studio is in Los Padres National Forest, near Los

Angeles, California. She enjoys leading workshops on botanical art techniques for artists of all levels. Donnett is an exhibiting artist and is honored to have work included in the American Society of Botanical Artists/Society of Illustrators 27th Annual International Exhibition, the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation’s 17 International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration, The New York Botanical Garden’s Fifth Triennial; Curious Allies: Mutualism in Fungi, Parasites, and Carnivores, and the American Society of Botanical Artists 26th Annual International Exhibition. Donnett’s graphite drawing, Elegant Clarkia; Clarkia unguiculata, was accepted into the permanent collection of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. Donnett’s primary interest is in California native plants. She thinks of her renderings as portraits, hoping to engage her viewer with the intriguing diversity of plants and pollinators and to consider the crucial role that native plants play in the ecology of our landscape.

bottom of page