Texture is one of the key components and challenges when creating a realistic illustration of a plant subject. Every plant surface requires thought, planning and practice in the techniques, to achieve a convincing texture. Therefore, it is a challenge for an artist to render the right texture of the subject, and it is also a learning experience to explore which of those techniques work for a certain texture.

In this 5-week course, you will learn how to achieve realistic surface textures of fruits.

Fruits are an ideal subject on which to practice achieving texture, as they offer a variety of surfaces. It could be smooth and shiny as found in tomatoes; smooth, but rather dull and dotted or streaky, as found in apples and pears, or waxy and silvery as can be found in plums or grapes. Further examples are the thick, dimpled skin of an orange or lime, or the dried surfaces found in a seedpod of poppies, or the shell of a walnut.

Each week we will focus on drawing a different fruit and will showcase their surface texture. We will practice the different colored pencil techniques, including how to layer colors and how to use different pencil strokes. We will also learn how to use drawing tools effectively, such as embossing tools, craft knives, graphite pencils and erasers, through Crystal’s thorough instruction and demonstration.

If you are an absolute beginner or have intermediate experience with colored pencil drawings, you will gain knowledge around how to achieve realistic textures, while building more confidence with colors and botanical drawing skills. 

This course is offered online through Zoom. Each session is recorded and provided for students to make up or review course content. Recordings remain available throughout the course, and 3 weeks after the last course date for viewing. Zoom registration is sent along with event confirmation. 

Link for registration: https://www.wnps.org/events/botanical-drawing-achieving-the-realistic-texture-of-fruits-in-colored-pencil-1726018200

Sunday, July 28, 2024

9am to 12 pm PT

Where: University of Washington Greenhouse & Medicinal Herb Garden

Format: In-person

1 day workshop



A quick field sketch can capture the essence of a plant and provide valuable information for a more in-depth botanical work. With a little knowledge of plant morphology, you can hone your observational skills and capture key characteristics essential for an accurate illustration.

This class introduces field-sketching techniques along with a brief overview of plant morphology. We will observe a diversity of plant forms at UW Biology Greenhouse, with an introduction to basic plant morphology and field-sketching techniques. And then head-out into the field, UW Medicinal Herb Garden, to practice these new skills with individual guidance from Crystal and Melissa.

Registration: The class is full. The registration is closed.

Have you ever wanted to draw beautiful alpine wildflowers? They are a true wonder of nature and learning to draw them can be a very satisfying experience. Wildflowers can be challenging to document in the field, but working from photos is a good alternative to removing them from their natural habitat.

For this class, we will draw from photographs used in a poster of the “Alpine Wildflowers of Washington by Burke Museum”, graciously provided by Photographer Donovan Tracy, or draw similar species from your own photographs. This is a great way to spend evenings, reviewing your species photographs. This class is a repeat however, it will include new flowers from the prior classes, so it is okay to repeat this course and receive new content.

You will learn how to accurately translate a photo into a drawing by observing form, highlights, and subtle changes of tone, shade, and color to create dimensionality. With the use of colored pencil techniques, you will learn and practice how to blend colors smoothly while learning to see the intricacies of beautiful alpine flowers.

For those who are in other states or countries, please feel free to draw the native plants to your region.

Register here: https://www.wnps.org/calendar/drawing-alpine-wildflowers-from-photographs-botanical-drawing-in-colored-pencil-with-crystal-shin-1718847000

*The class is full. The registration is closed now.

A unique approach to color observation and layering techniques will give

your colored pencil renderings the deep saturation, smooth surface, and vibrant, glowing undertones of watercolor. Develop new skills as you study and portray the elegant lines, rich colors, and nuanced textures of the tulip from flower to bulb. This online course will offer live demonstrations, videos, and individual feedback.

This is an intermediate/advanced class. Botanical Drawing II at NYBG is required as a prerequiste to take this class.

Have you ever wanted to draw butterflies? The intricate patterns on their wings and dazzling colors are some of the wonders that continually amaze us. As pollinators, they are significant to our plant world and ecosystem. Butterflies add beauty and interest to botanical art and make fascinating subjects on their own.

Please join Crystal for a virtual colored pencil workshop learning to draw butterflies.

Butterflies are suitable subjects to learn and practice various color pencil techniques, including layering, blending, incising, and building saturation with luminosity, while playing with the vivid colors and interesting textures found in butterflies.

Registration: You can register through Guild of Natural Scicence Illustrators Northwest chapter. You have to be a member of GNSI to register.

Sketch journaling is a great way to learn about plants and get connected with nature in the field. While observing and drawing organic shapes and lines of plants, you will discover yourself noticing more about the plants, identifying their botanical characteristics, and appreciating their beauty in a deeper and more creative way.

In this 3 week in-person course, Crystal will teach you how to start your sketch journal, what to observe, and how to draw, providing hands-on guidance with your sketches. You will learn how to sketch from life with fluid lines and shading techniques, and how to make your unique sketch journal that records your endeavor to understand plants further.

If the weather allows, we will sketch outdoors at Magnuson Park, practicing field sketching, and then draw inside to refine the drawings. You can also bring plant materials that you want to draw and study.

You will need a sketch journal, and your favorite drawing mediums such as graphite pencils, pens and/or colored pencils. The detailed material list will be provided when you register.

Link for registration:
https://www.wnps.org/events/sketching-in-the-garden-1715101200

In this 5-week course, you will learn how to draw flowers, what to observe, and a variety of colored pencil techniques through Crystal’s clear instruction, demonstrations, and thorough feedback and guidance on your work. Each session will have a different flower subject and focus on different techniques. You will practice observation and drawing skills while learning to understand the structures, shapes, textures, and colors of spring flowers.

*The course is organized through the Washington Native Plant Society, but you don't need to be a member to take a class. Each session is recorded. Recordings remain available throughout the course, and 2 weeks after the last course date for viewing.

Link for registration:
https://www.wnps.org/events/workshop-botanical-drawing-spring-flowers-1710984600

6:30-8:30 pm
Tuesday, November 14 - Tuesday, December 19th
Last Class Wednesday, December 19th 2023

Format: Online, 6-week course

An accurate drawing is the foundation of botanical illustration in any medium. Beginners as well as experienced artists will emerge from this introductory course with improved observation and drawing skills to apply to any medium and subjects.

Working in black and white makes it easier to focus on seeing values and creating forms to render a realistic botanical drawing. We will explore concepts of light source, values, and perspective, while learning use of line to accurately portray plant subjects and techniques of shading for convincing 3 dimensionality.

Crystal will provide plenty of demonstrations and individual attention and guidance.

Link for registration:
https://www.wnps.org/events

Learn how to use colored pencils to portray plant subjects!
This course is offered virtually via zoom, with plenty of opportunity for personal review and instruction. 

In this 7-week fundamentals botanical drawing in colored pencil course, you will learn basics of the medium, color theories, and a variety of colored pencils techniques including layering, blending, building saturation with luminosity while incorporating the observation techniques and elements of botanical illustrations.

Each week will include discussion and instruction, Crystal’s live demos and drawing time of your own. We will work from live plant materials such as green leaf, buds, flowers, and fruits that are seasonally available in the season, practicing observation and drawing skills. This course will not only help you to draw better, but to understand plants better by observing them closely and from all different aspects.

Colored pencils are fun, forgiving, and versatile medium that are easy for the beginner artist, and a refreshing change for watercolor painters or graphite artists. Some experience in art is helpful, but beginners are welcome as well. For returning students, you can choose your own subjects that you would like to work on, and plenty of guidance and feedback will be provided.

Link for registration:
https://www.wnps.org/events/fundamentals-botanical-drawing-2-1700015400



Autumn leaves offer amazing colors and interesting textures. Crystal will share her colored pencil techniques with a focus on achieving the smooth, deep saturation and luminosity often only found in watercolor. She will guide you to observe subtle colors within subjects and will demonstrate methods for building rich under-tones and effective shadow color mixes. She’ll also offer helpful tips on the details—such as the challenges of veins—resulting in a convincing and beautiful leaf. All levels welcome.

In this 5-week course, you will learn how to achieve realistic surface textures of fruits. Fruits are an ideal subject on which to practice achieving texture, as they offer a variety of surfaces. It could be smooth and shiny as found in tomatoes; smooth, but rather dull and dotted or streaky, as found in apples and pears, or waxy and silvery as can be found in plums or grapes. Further examples are the thick, dimpled skin of an orange or lime, the dried surfaces found in a seedpod of poppies or the shell of a walnut.

Each week we will focus on drawing a different fruit and will showcase their surface texture. We will practice the different colored pencil techniques, including how to layer colors and how to use different pencil strokes. We will also learn how to use drawing tools effectively, such as embossing tools, craft knives, graphite pencils, and erasers, through Crystal’s thorough instruction and demonstration.

This course is offered online through Zoom. Each session is recorded and provided for students to make up or review course content. Recordings remain available throughout the course, and 3 weeks after the last course date for viewing.

Join Crystal Shin, botanical illustrator for a unique class at the University of Washington biology building, Hitchcock Hall. This is an introductory class for drawing a scientific botanical illustration, using a microscope to view the details of a subject.

Crystal will introduce the nature of the work, and the process for creating a scientific botanical illustration, using herbarium specimens. While examining morphology and the minute details of the specimens through a microscope, you will practice close observation, and how to draw from the dried and pressed herbarium specimens, reconstructing them to their more natural appearance.

The goal is to clearly show the morphological aspects of the subject, capturing the characteristics of a species, while experimenting with line drawings and the accurate representation of botanical forms in black and white medium. Graphite pencils and/or pen and ink will be used in this class. We will borrow the herbarium specimens from the UW Herbarium at Burke Museum.

All ability levels are welcome. This will be a one-of-a-kind experience, drawing herbarium specimens through a microscope.

Have you ever wanted to draw beautiful alpine wildflowers? They are a true wonder of nature and learning to draw them can be a very satisfying experience. Wildflowers can be challenging to document in the field, but working from photos is a good alternative to removing them from their natural habitat.

For this class, we will draw from photographs used in a poster of the “Alpine Wildflowers of Washington by Burke Museum”, graciously provided by Photographer Donovan Tracy, or draw similar species from your own photographs. This is a great way to spend evenings, reviewing your species photographs. This class is a repeat however, it will include new flowers from the prior classes, so it is okay to repeat this course and receive new content.

You will learn how to accurately translate a photo into a drawing by observing form, highlights, and subtle changes of tone, shade, and color to create dimensionality. With the use of colored pencil techniques, you will learn and practice how to blend colors smoothly while learning to see the intricacies of beautiful alpine flowers.

*For those who are in other states or countries, please feel free to draw the native plants to your region.

Register here: https://www.wnps.org/wnps-annual-events/workshops/18-wildflowers-from-photographs-shin

There is nothing more joyful than flowers in the spring! Enhance your drawing skills and learn how to capture the luminosity and delicacy of spring flowers with botanical artist, Crystal Shin.

In this 5-week course, you will learn how to draw flowers, what to observe, and a variety of

colored pencils techniques through Crystal’s clear instruction, demonstrations, and thorough feedback and guidance on your work. Each session will have a different flower subject and will focus on different techniques. You will practice observation and drawing skills, while learning to understand structures, shapes, textures, and the colors of spring flowers.

If you are an absolute beginner or an intermediate student in colored pencil drawings, you will gain knowledge around how to render flower subjects, while building more confidence with colors and botanical drawing skills. It is encouraged to work in any style you prefer – in a realistic style with high details, or an expressive loose sketch style. Art is truly a creative expression of who you are!

Classes will be recorded and a link to the video will be provided in case you miss a class.
Registration: https://www.wnps.org/wnps-annual-events/workshops/12-workshop-drawing-spring-flowers-in-colored-pencil,-with-crystal-shin

While not a native plant, the camellia is a colorful flower amongst the first to appear in the urban spring habitat. This colorful shrub offers wonderful opportunities to draw the flower structure and practice with color to obtain the texture and color form of interest. This shrub, with evergreen leaves, also provides a strong education on how to draw leaves and obtain that evergreen shine. This workshop allows students to observe and draw live specimens. Join Botanical Illustrator, Crystal Shin for a weekend workshop to draw camellia of your choice. Some drawing experiences will be helpful, but beginners are welcome as well. 

Registration: https://www.wnps.org/calendar/1794