Observational Drawing for Botany

Class Details

… a responsive encounter with our physical world.

                                               ~ Nathan Goldstein, The Art of Responsive Drawing

Using the words of Nathan Goldstein “…drawing as a responsive encounter with our physical world,” Angela Dittmar, facilitator for this class, would like to suggest that observational drawing teaches us that seeing is a responsive encounter with our physical world. Through time spent drawing from observation, we will gain understanding of structure, form, details, and ourselves within the visual complexity of our world.

Participants of this course will experience drawing from observation with guidance. All are welcome, no matter how much time one has spent drawing. The subjects for our drawing exercises will be items found from our woods and native landscapes. Participants are encouraged to bring items from their yards/gardens that interest them. During our time together, we will discuss materials, review examples, practice visual inspection techniques, and then work through warm up style techniques to drawing from a still life.



Materials:

Provided / Brought by Facilitator:

• Specialty Drawing Tools, Basic Watercolors, Brushes, Easels, Clipboards/ Drawing Boards

Required / Brought by Participant:

• Graphite Drawing Pencils - HB, 2B, 6B

• Various erasers, but specifically for graphite

               Examples: Faber-Castell Dust-Free 18 71 20 Clean and Soft Eraser    

• Snack, water

Recommended / Brought by Participant:

• Sketchbook, favorite materials for drawing or watercolors

While most of the class will be held indoors, please dress comfortably for outdoor January weather.

Registration Policy: 

As with all CNP classes, class size is limited. To give everyone the best opportunity to participate, there is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $10, with the balance refunded if you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the class will be held. If the class is cancelled by the instructor or the CNP program, registrants will get a full refund.

INSTRUCTOR: Angela Dittmar

Artist, Certified Naturalist



Trained both formally and conceptually as an artist, Angela Dittmar blends her love for nature with her interests in perception and interpretation. She examines how perception, instincts, and interpretation act as agents in how she responds to her lived experiences. She refers to her research as “Me and the Gazelle.” Angela deepens her knowledge of the natural world and bioregion of Southeast Tennessee and the tristate area through ongoing learning as a certified Tennessee Naturalist. As the Director of Teaching Artist Residencies at the Arts-Based Collaborative at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Angela brings an extensive history facilitating arts-based learning engagements. She guides a roster of teaching artists in facilitating arts integration classroom residencies and has served as faculty in the University’s Honors College as well as in the Art Department. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from Hunter College, CUNY and Bachelor of Fine Arts and Psychology Minor from UTC.