In this course we will continue to develop drawing skills focusing on forms in nature and progressing from preliminary to finished works. We will use further exercises with graphite, conte pencil and pen and ink to train the eye. We will also introduce techniques with colour pencil.  Topics will include foreshortening, symmetry, spirals and how the Fibonacci series relates to complex forms in nature.  Students will gain the maximum benefit from this course by completing at least 3 hours practice between classes. Suitable for students who have completed Introduction to Drawing or those with some previous drawing experience. Morning tea will be available.  19 October - 29 November 2018 (6 weeks x 3 hour sessions); Please note: no class on 9 November. Friday mornings from 9.30am - 12.30pm Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith

Learn how to use pastels and pastel pencils over a six week course with master pastellist, Ellouise Theron. Learn about the materials and techniques required to create textures and effects with small experimental studies, then progress to create accurate and dynamic pastel paintings using these techniques.You will focus on composition, drawing, the importance of value in a painting and colour theory. Students will be able to use their own reference material or tutor-provided reference.  Suitable for all levels of experience from beginners through to anyone wishing to revise their pastel painting. A materials list will be provided. Refreshments are included.  15 October - 19 November 2018 (6 weeks x 3 hour sessions) Monday mornings 9.30am - 12.30pm Venue: Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, ACT

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to painting with watercolour. Through a series of exercises and projects students will learn about materials, stretching paper, different properties of pigments and basic techniques for applying paint to paper.  Suitable for beginners and those wanting to revise their practice. Refreshments will be available. 25 October, 1 November, 15 November, 22 November (4 weeks x 3 hour sessions) Thursday evenings 6.00pm - 9.00pm Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith

Learn the principles and techniques of botanical art, in order to create a realistic botanical watercolour painting. You will observe and draw plants, looking at composition, tone and form, then bring the drawing to life using washes, glazes and dry brush work for fine details.  Suitable for beginners through to intermediate students. Morning tea is provided. A materials list will be provided on booking. Wednesday 17 October - 21 November 2018 (6 weeks x 3 hour sessions) 9.30am - 12.30pm Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, Canberra  

Learn to illustrate birds like a professional! This course provides an introduction to bird illustration using gouache, with guidance from professional illustrator Peter Marsack. Students will learn how to accurately illustrate a bird using sketches, observe museum specimens, set up measurements, and refer to resources such as photographs and videos. Topics include bird structure, anatomy, feathers, plumage details, colour and habitat. By the end of the course, students will have completed several studies of familiar local birds, or work on their own projects with expert guidance. Suitable for beginners and continuing students with some experience using gouache. Students wishing to build foundation drawing skills can consider enroling in 'Drawing 1' with Gillian Carden. Note: NatureArt field observation sessions with Peter Marsack will be available separately. 23 October - 27 November 2018 (6 weeks x 3 hour sessions) Tuesday evenings 6.00 - 9.00pm Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith, ACT

Insects have existed for around 400 million years, making them the most successful life-forms on Earth. Australia is home to an astonishing number and variety of insects - well over 80,000 species have already been assigned scientific names but the majority remain undescribed. Insects vary enormously in size, shape and colour, providing wonderful subjects for illustrators.  This six-week series of classes with professional illustrator Peter Marsack will explore insects and the ways we can illustrate them, concentrating on a variety of Heteropteran bugs to working across a range of insect families, some familiar and some less so. Sessions will look at understanding the structure of insects as a way of building up drawings and paintings; the use of magnification in drawing, the use of references, especially specimens and photos; and the process of rendering in pencil, ink (including scraperboard), watercolour and gouache. Demonstrations will form part of all practical illustration sessions.  Peter is an award-winning artist with extensive experience; he has drawn and painted insects ranging from tiny Collembollans to wasps, dragonflies, mantids and butterflies. Suitable for all levels of experience, though it would be an advantage to have completed Drawing 1 (or equivalent). Participants will have the option of working from specimens that we provide or developing artwork from their own references with expert guidance.  Refreshments provided; Materials list available on booking. Course dates; 15 October - 19 November 2018 (6 weeks) Date/Times: Monday evenings 6.00 - 9.00pm Venue: Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith      

This course explores innovative ways to combine water-based mediums in painting. We will use watercolour, gouache, pencil, ink and gesso. Students will gain an understanding of the unique properties of each medium and how to combine them to create varied effects. Each week we will follow a different theme with step by step instruction towards a finished work.  The course is open to all levels of experience. It will be an advantage to have some painting experience, but not necessary to benefit from and fully enjoy the projects.  A materials list will be available on booking. Refreshments are included.  Dates:25 October - 29 November 2018 Day/Times: Thursday afternoons 1.30 - 4.30pm Venue: Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 2 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith

Give the gift of art inspired by nature at Canberra's only natural history art school!   

Creating feathers and fur in colour pencil is both inspiring and achievable. Janet will teach different techniques with the colour pencil to capture the vibrant colours of the birds as well as the soft and bristly fur of Australian animals. Students will also learn how to infuse their drawings with life and personality, an essential element of Janet’s own artworks. Each day will have a different subject with all the techniques needed to continue your own artworks in the future. This workshop is suitable for all levels of skill, as Janet teaches with step by step demonstration and personal instruction.  A materials list will be provided on booking; refreshments are available. Please bring your own lunch on both days.  17 - 18 November 2018 Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am - 4.30pm each day Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith.  

This course is an intensive drawing weekend where you will be working with and looking closely at insect specimens from our beautiful natural history collection, with artistic guidance from accomplished artist John Forrester Clack. Through drawing you will be rendering as accurately as possible on to cotton paper tone, shade and texture using a full range of graphite pencils. This will demand a great deal of dexterity, visual concentration in looking and creative mark-making to explore these small and beautiful creatures. Students will have access to binocular microscopes and USB microscopes for observation. This workshop will offer two approaches to drawing - Day One will focus on detailed scientific approaches; Day Two will offer a choice of tackling the subject as a continuation of a detailed scientific approach OR to present an artistic portrayal in a large and flamboyant interpretation. Suitable for all levels of experience. A materials list will be provided on booking.  February 2019 (two day workshop) Saturday and Sunday 9.30am - 4.30pm Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith.

Join a fabulous tulip pastel workshop with Amanda Gear.  Tulips are the pop princesses of the Spring flowers. Create a soft pastel portrait of a colourful tulip at Tulip Mania at Floriade. Speed paint with pastels on textured, toothed paper and take home your very own masterpiece in just two hours! Tuition Fee: $38.50 plus Ticketek service charges if applicable Dates/Times: - Sunday 23 September, 10.30am - 12.30pm - Sunday 30 September, 10.30am - 12.30pm - Sunday 7 October, 10.30am - 12.30pm - Saturday 13 October, 10.30am - 12.30pm Venue: The Greenhouse, Floriade - Commonwealth Park, Via Barrine Drive, Canberra BOOKING INFORMATION:  Further information and bookings are available through Floriade at:   https://floriadeaustralia.com/program/tulip-mania/?categories=workshops-and-talks OR Direct Ticketek Links are available through Floriade at:  http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=TULIPMAN18 (Please note: bookings are not available through NatureArt Lab).

Slow down. Look at nature. Find your inspiration in the natural world. Join us for an inspiring, creative session where you'll learn how nature and art can be combined to create unique, beautiful and captivating artistic images. Whether you're a complete beginner or an accomplished artist, you will develop your skills of observation, drawing and appreciation for our natural environment.  You will be provided with your very own visual diary. Bring a pen, pencil or other sketching materials and enjoy some drawing and observation time!  Sunday 9 December 2018, 10.00am - 12.30pm Venue: Banks Building, Australian National Botanic Gardens Image: Julia Landford

This workshop is the first in a series of art workshops focusing on threatened and vulnerable species of Australia. The Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) is the largest bat in Australia, and is listed as a vulnerable species due to a significant decline in its numbers. Challenges include habitat destruction, urbanization, climate change and other threats. At the start of this workshop, we will visit the Commonwealth Park flying fox campsite for observational sketches and a briefing provided by local scientists. This special workshop, led by interstate wildlife artist Peter Wale, will explore the use of watercolour to illustrate a grey-headed flying fox. He will teach drawing skills and demonstrate the use of gestural drawing, drafting, negative space, composition and tonal values to create drawings which fully express the life and spirit of the flying fox. Peter will also provide tuition in the use of watercolour brush techniques, colour mixing and glazing to help enhance our ability to produce vibrant animal portraits. Participating artists will have the opportunity to enter final works into a NatureArt exhibition and display works for an information night on the Grey-headed flying fox to be held in early 2019.  Please note: Bookings must be received by 30 October.  Suitable for artists with some experience with drawing and use of watercolour. Beginners are also welcome. Refreshments will be provided; participants will need to bring their own lunch. A materials list will be provided on booking.  Dates/Times: * 5.30 - 7.30pm, Friday 2 November - Field Trip to Commonwealth Park; * 9.30am - 4.30pm, Saturday 3 - Sunday 4 November - Workshop Venue: Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith

NatureArt Lab offers a high quality educational art program for children, run by experienced science communicators and artists.  NatureArt Puggles provides content to support younger children aged 5-8 years. Discover and learn about nature through observation, drawing, painting, nature journaling and craft. Get to know the birds, insects, marsupials, reptiles and the unique Australian plant communities featured in the Gardens. We aim to support enquiry-based learning, outdoor activities, skills for life and an emphasis on the art-science interface! All art materials are provided and healthy refreshments are included. Dates: 8 - 12 October 2018 Morning sessions 9.00am - 12.00noon Bookings must be received by 7 October (last minute bookings are not possible); only 15 places are offered per session. Cost - $46 - $70 per session depending on the number of days ($230 for 5 sessions; $200 for 4 sessions; $150 for 3 sessions; $120 for 2 sessions; $70 for 1 session). Please provide the name and age of your child, and confirm which days you are booking. You will receive a confirmation of payment email with a link to a registration form. Please complete the details on the form including details of any special requirements for your child. Venue: Banks Building, Australian National Botanic Gardens

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Enjoy a creative short-course on multi-block lino prints with talented local artist Sophie Kristine! Learn the basics of lino printing processes, and create your own designs inspired by insects from our natural history collection. Learn how to create designs for printing, mark-making, inking and printing, options for application on paper and other materials. By the end of this workshop you will have completed a small edition of multi-block lino prints with either a repeat or random pattern.  Suitable for beginners and anyone interested in having fun with a new art skill! All printing materials are provided. Please bring your own 300gsm paper suitable for printing (not too much texture).  Refreshments will be available for morning and afternoon tea; bring your own lunch. Dates: Sunday 21 October Times: 9.30am - 3.30pm Venue: Workspace A, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith

Come and explore the land of the colossal with Jess Shepherd (Inky Leaves) and learn how to paint botanicals larger than life. Focusing on leaves during day one, this workshop will explore the drama that can be created through thoughtful lighting, examine the importance of composition and reveal the full range of colours that can be used to paint realistic greens and browns. During day two, Jess will move on to talk about blue flowers and flower painting in general and will reveal the best colour mixes for blue flowers. She will have all her tools with her, so can talk about burnishing and how to paint black backgrounds. It’ll be quite a mix, but she’s keen to impart with as much of her knowledge as she can while she is in Australia. It might be that you don’t come away with a finished giant leaf, but you will come away with a new project started and a bag full of knowledge and inspiration. There will also be a chance to hear more about her current work, see a portfolio of her latest work and watch her paint. J R Shepherd is a botanical painter from the UK. In her current work she is working to enrich our current perceptions of botanical illustration, its applications and how it sits within the larger scope of visual arts. Jess has paintings in the Shirley Sherwood Collection, The Fitzwilliam Museum, National Botanic Garden Dublin and Chelsea Physic Garden. Her work has been published in books and scientific journals and has been featured in a number of exhibitions and on television. She is a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and a member of the Chelsea Arts Club and the American Society of Botanical Artists. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience. A materials list will be provided on booking. Refreshments will be provided for morning and afternoon tea; please bring your own lunch. Dates: Wednesday 14 - Thursday 15 November 2018 Times: 9.30am - 4.30pm Venue: Crosbie-Morrison Building, Australian National Botanic Gardens