Lichen © Maryjo Koch
Painting Lichen with Maryjo Koch
Lichen and moss are often overlooked, though we encounter them both during our time outside, whether near home or out on explorations of wilder areas. But they never fail to fascinate when we take a closer look.
In this three-hour workshop, Maryjo Koch will encourage us to look even closer than we usually do at our subjects as botanical artists. She will demonstrate her techniques for painting in watercolors and gouache as she talks through a detailed exploration of the subject matter. We'll use our observational skills to examine detailed photo reference of lichen collected by our instructor near her home in Northern California. By the end of our session, each painter will be on the way to finishing their own enchanting work of art.
You will receive photographic reference provided by Maryjo Koch for this workshop's subject, and will be asked to prepare a drawing and transfer it to your chosen paper ahead of class. During the three hours of instruction time, you may work with your usual watercolors and gouache paints to complete your painting. Please review the materials list (click here to download the PDF) to see what you will need to bring to class.
Lichen & Moss Sketches and Notes, Ink, watercolor and gouache © Maryjo Koch
Information at a Glance
DATE:
Saturday, September 5, 2026
10:30 am – 1:30 pm Pacific Time
Location:
Online via Zoom
PARTICIPANTS:
Limited to 30 BAGSC members only. Registration full? Be sure to put your name on the waiting list.
FEE:
Free of charge, BAGSC members ONLY!!
BAGSC members must log-in to the BAGSC website to register. Questions or problems? Contact the BAGSC Media Committee by clicking here.
SCHEDULE: (all Pacific Time)
10:20 am, Zoom room will open for set-up. Bring your own refreshments; we'll be working through 1:30 pm with just a short bio break.
10:30 am to 1:30 pm: Workshop with live demonstration by Maryjo Koch. A team from BAGSC will be on hand to field queries through Zoom's chat while Maryjo Koch demonstrates and responds to questions.
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Download a materials list here.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM?
Contact BAGSC Programs Committee by clicking here.
PROBLEMS WITH REGISTRATION?
Contact BAGSC Media Committee by clicking here.
About our Presenter
Working from her studio in Northern California's Santa Cruz Mountains, Maryjo Koch is widely regarded among the world's most accomplished naturalist painters. Largely self-taught, Maryjo began her career doing renderings as an environmental designer,
but soon returned to her childhood fascination with the world of nature.
Maryjo is an artist whose work combines authority and enchantment, and her paintings and private commissions are featured in galleries and museums from North America to Asia. She has illustrated 25 books that are treasured and collected by people all around the world.
Maryjo began teaching nature painting at both the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and at Monterey's renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium… as well as Filoli and the CSU Monterey Bay's scientific Illustration graduate program. She now conducts online workshops at her studio in the Santa Cruz Mountains by Zoom, Patreon, YouTube.
Maryjo’s artistic life has been featured in publications such as Victoria Magazine, Country Living Gardener, & Better Homes and Gardens.
