Boston Flora

Tag: Sarah Roche

  • Mondays, September 29 – November 3, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Foundations of Botanical Drawing and Painting, Online & In-Person

    Through demonstrations and tutorials, celebrate the colors of seasonal leaves while learning how to realistically depict your subject matter in pencil, and then in watercolor, with Sarah Roche, on six Mondays, September 29 – November 3, from 10 – 1, online except for two classes which will be held at the Putnam classroom at The Gardens at Elm Bank. All abilities are welcome! The winter topic: Fall topic: Orchids in Watercolor. In fall, we will be studying the Phalaenopsis orchid. With a limited palette and simple techniques, we will work together, step by step, to capture their exotic and vibrant beauty. Using live plant specimens, Sarah will lead you through the processes of accurate drawing and painting in watercolor. Members $385, nonmembers $460. Register at www.masshort.org


  • Tuesday, June 24 & Thursday, June 26, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Learning from the Masters: Redoute

    Pierre-Joseph Redouté was one of the most talented botanical artists ever known. His mastery of both flowers and foliage was extraordinary. Using his paintings as inspiration, you will study his compositions and color choices to explore the potential of watercolor washes, glazes, and dry brush, learning about these essential traditional botanical art techniques in a step-by-step approach. Suitable for beginners. This Massachusetts Horticultural Society two session class taught by Sarah Roche takes place at the Gardens at Elm Bank on June 24 & 26 from 10 – 1, and is $140 for Mass Hort members, $175 for nonmembers. Register at www.masshort,.org

  • Monday, March 18, Wednesday, March 20, & Friday, March 22, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Eastern – Botanical Beachcombing: Signs of Spring, Online

    In early spring, as the snow begins to melt away, the days begin to get longer. Along the edges of the beach and in the habitat that surrounds it, buds are beginning to swell, fresh shoots are emerging, and the birds are chirping. There is an energy in the air and an excitement for warmer days ahead and the promise of spring.

    With Sarah Roche as your guide, record the changing seasons as you botanically beachcomb, drawing the treasures and detritus that wash up along the shoreline and the evidence of last year’s flora that hints at the possibilities of this new season.
    This three part Massachusetts Horticultural Society class will take place online on March 18, 20, and 22 from 10 – 1. $225 for Mass Hort members, $275 for nonmembers.

    Prerequisite(s): Suitable for intermediate or advanced artists who have completed at least one “Techniques of Botanical Drawing & Painting” class, or equivalent.  

  • Tuesdays, September 26 – October 31, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Eastern – Techniques of Botanical Drawing and Painting, Virtual or Hybrid

    Celebrate the vivid and vibrant palette of fall fruits and wildflowers through exercises and projects, and work on your drawing and watercolor techniques in this class with Sarah Roche designed for the more accomplished botanical artist. Focus on the many aspects of achieving the accurate representations of botanical subjects through demonstrations, individual instruction, and close scrutiny of plant structure. Artists enrolling in Techniques should have successfully completed at least two Foundations courses and have the permission of the instructor. Classes meet on 6 Tuesdays, September 26 – October 31, from 10 – 1. Member price $315, nonmembers $365. Register at www.masshort.org

  • Tuesdays, September 27 – November 1, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Techniques of Botanical Drawing and Painting: Fungi & Ferns, Live and Online

    Refine your drawing and watercolor techniques with Sarah Roche and Wellesley College Botanic Garden in a six session class beginning Tuesday, September 27. You will focus on achieving the accurate representation of botanical subjects, with the fall project being Fungi & Ferns. Fall in the woods is an exciting time as all the showy plants have faded away, and the fungi, ferns and grasses become the stars. Your composition will be the result of your foraging. Observation, note taking and detailed sketching will be key since your specimens won’t be in their prime for long. You will create a painting of your habitat with all the fall leaves, twigs, ferns and grasses that are associated with your fungi. In person sessions at Elm Bank will take place September 27, October 18, and November 1. Other sessions are online. WCBG members $295, nonmembers $345. Register by calling 781-283-3094 or emailing wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu The series will be offered again January 31 – March 7.

  • Mondays, November 16, 23, and 30, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – Drawing and Painting for the Petrified, Online

    The Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens invite you to a special three part online course taught by Sarah Roche, recent speaker at the Garden Club of the Back Bay November meeting, entitled Drawing and Painting for the Petrified. This course is especially for beginners! Sarah encourages your observational skills to grow in this relaxed seminar with plenty of helpful demonstrations. Experiment with line drawings and the accurate representation of botanical forms. Leap into watercolor painting with a series of fun watercolor exercises. The Zoom course will take place on three Mondays, November 16, 23, and 30, from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. Members of Friends of WCBG or Massachusetts Horticultural Society $125, nonmembers $150. Register by emailing wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu.

  • Thursday, October 22, 10:00 am – Botanical Drawing and Painting, Online

    Thursday, October 22, 10:00 am – Botanical Drawing and Painting, Online

    The Garden Club of the Back Bay is pleased to present its October meeting via Zoom on Thursday, October 22 at 10:00 am, featuring popular past presenter Sarah Roche on the topic of Botanical Drawing and Painting. Sarah is a botanical artist and Education Director of the Botanical Arts program at Wellesley College Botanic Garden. She will teach a limited number of Garden Club members to draw and paint from live botanical specimens, from your own outdoor spaces. Sarah, an experienced teacher, will demonstrate and guide members of all abilities through the project. GC members who register will be sent a materials list and Zoom link prior to the date of the program. An email notice for registration will be sent.

  • Monday, January 20 – Friday, January 24, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – ON LOCATION: The Kampong

    Monday, January 20 – Friday, January 24, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – ON LOCATION: The Kampong

    Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens announces the 2020 annual ON LOCATION: The Kampong, at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Coconut Grove, Florida. All abilities are welcome.   Join Sarah Roche and enjoy five days of botanical art.  Once on location, start to draw with easy field sketches on the grounds of the stunning Kampong historic home and garden, where the climate of the southeast shore of Florida affords a natural open-air environment in which tropical species flourish.  Explore rudiments of form from live specimens as you work in graphite studies.  Some plants will be flowering, others will be fruiting, and some may have all stages of development visible.  Then add color with watercolors.  Take home a journal filled with field sketches useful for future art works and fond memories of a unique experience.  The fee includes class instruction, four luncheons, and a visit to a local botanic garden.  Travel, accommodations, other food, and other expenses not included.  Dormitory accommodations at The Kampong may be arranged on a first-come basis.  For those arriving on Sunday, January 19, a get-acquainted gathering will be arranged.  Contact WCBG Friends for more details.  WCBG Friends of Kampong Members $540, non-members $640. To register, email wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu or call 781-283-3094. Offered in collaboration with The Kampong, National Tropical Botanical Garden.

  • Friday, December 6, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Holiday Card Workshop

    Taking your inspiration from the fruits and foliage of the holiday season, create a pen and ink painting suitable for your holiday cards, gift tags, and notepaper, in this Friends of Wellesley Botanic Gardens workshop on December 6 from 9:30 – 3:30 in the Putnam classroom at The Gardens at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley. Sarah Roche will lead you through the process and help you get your artwork ready for reproduction. Suitable for Techniques and experienced Foundation students. Friends members $110, nonmembers $130. Register by calling 781-283-3094, or email wcbgfriends@wellesley.edu.

    ©2015 Margaret Farr
    Eastern Woodland Berries: American Holly, Eastern Wahoo, Red Cedar
    Ilex opaca, Euonymus atropurpureus, Juniperus virginiana
    watercolor on paper, 22 X 18

  • Wednesdays, October 30, November 6, 13, & 20, and December 4 & 11 – Leaves 101: Foundations of Botanical Drawing & Painting

    Through demonstrations and tutorials, celebrate the colors of seasonal leaves while learning how to realistically depict your subject matter in pencil, and then in watercolor, with Sarah Roche, on six Wednesdays, October 30 – November 20, plus December 4 & 11,  from 9:30 – 1:30 at the Putnam classroom at The Gardens at Elm Bank. All abilities are welcome! This course is the core of WCBG Friends’ botanical art program. Friends price $295, nonmembers $345. Register at http://wellesley.edu/wcbg/learn.