Ellen Duarte leads a Wellesley College Botanic Gardens introduction to composition based on the writings of Molly Bang in her book Picture This. On four Thursdays (February 1, 8, 15, and March 1, from 9:30 – 12:30) learn how balance, harmony and emotional response are affected by the elements in the picture. Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens $150, nonmembers $200. Register at http://wellesley.edu/wcbg/learn. There is a snow date of March 8 if needed.
Join Ellen Duarte in the greenhouses at the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens on three successive Thursdays, July 13, 20, and 27, from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, to draw your favorite flowers, then explore ways to have your creations reproduced as notecards and other items. Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens: $115, nonmembers: $140. Register at www.wellesley.edu/wcbg/learn.
Head outdoors with Carol Govan and Ellen Duarte to observe botany in action in the Wellesley College’s meadows, in this three session class to be held July 11, July 18, and July 25 from 9:30 – 3:30. Bring flowering plant specimens to the Visitor’s Center to record them using pencil and pen sketches and dry brush watercolor. All experience levels are welcome. WCBG members $250, non-members $300. Register by calling 781-283-3094, or email wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu. Image by Ellen Duarte.
On Wednesday, May 11, in the Putnam Building of Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley, Ellen Duarte, member of the NE Society of Botanical Artists, will lead a six-hour introductory workshop meant for any skill level. Participants will be given an overview of botanical art, and be guided through the process of planning and beginning a botanical painting. Class time includes instruction, demonstration, and working time to cover botany, drawing, color theory, painting techniques, and observatory skill building. Paper and paints will be supplied, students will need to bring other materials and lunch (list will be mailed out to registrants). Mass Hort members $85, nonmembers $110. Preregistration required at www.masshort.org.
Do you have any drawings in your sketchbook that you really like, but never got past being a sketch? Bring these little buds of inspiration to fruition under the Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Garden instructor Ellen Duarte’s guidance. On Wednesday, June 1 beginning at 9:30 am, bring some of your favorite drawings to class, or just bring the whole notebook. Students will each make a small composition using bits from their drawings. These compositions will then be finished with a combination of graphite, pen, and wash. Ellen will describe some of the things she likes to do with these finished drawings. All experience levels welcome. Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens members $75, non-members $95. Register at 781-283-3094, or email wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu.
