Botanical Illustration

with Olivia Mendoza

August 9, 3:00–6:00 p.m.

Tuition: $100

Materials Fee: N/A

Led by a natural science illustrator, this botanical drawing workshop will teach students to use colored pencil to render lively and vibrant plant life. There will be a demonstration on how to free hand the composition, establish texture, and layer blended colors of a subject, followed by time to practice these shown methods with personal guidance. This will be a space for nature lovers and illustration enthusiasts alike!

Plan to bring: Smooth Strathmore Bristol paper (9 x 12 inch), Prismacolor Premier pencils, graphite or mechanical pencil for sketching, and erasers (kneaded, block, and narrow, etc.)

Olivia Mendoza (she/they) is a natural science illustrator and drawing teacher. She has been working as an illustrator for over a decade and teaching for five years at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Her work has led to collaborations with natural science publications of newly discovered plant species, an illustrated avian exhibit for Kalamazoo Nature Center, and native species drawing workshops with the Kalamazoo Public Library—as well as creating botanical work for Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Fernwood Botanical Gardens, Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones, and more. Her enthusiasm for creating new work is equal to the joy of being able to share the process and methods with others.

Drawing demonstrations on light, color, or texture from Olivia Mendoza's Botanical Illustration courses at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Images courtesy of the artist.