Botanical Illustration Intensive: Gorgeous Gourds in Colored Pencil

Ornamental gourds—with their stripes, curves, bumpy surfaces, and rich colors—become perfect subjects for botanical art in this focused one-day workshop. You'll spend the morning and afternoon learning to observe and capture gourd characteristics, texture, and patterns while building a finished composition. The instructor will guide you through layering techniques using colored pencil, from initial underpainting through detailed finishing touches. Optional finishing methods include watercolor washes, baby oil, or alcohol blenders to enhance your final piece. This class works well if you've already completed foundational courses in botanical drawing and colored pencil basics. The garden provides everything you need: a variety of quality pencils for classroom use, different paper options, and beautiful gourds as live subjects. Registration is required in advance. Membership pricing is $66; non-member admission is $83. If you need any accessibility accommodations to participate, reach out to the garden directly and they'll work with you to make arrangements.