Creating a foreground, middle and background is a great way to make the illusion of space in a painting. Paintings have long been described as a window, something you look at and then into. Looking out a window to observe nature is also something artists have been doing for hundreds of years. Using a window in your own home (or imagination) we will learn how to create space in a painting (or drawing).

Some of the best shapes are found in nature. Using Matisse’s cut paper collages as inspiration we will abstract ABG’s trailside garden using construction paper, or papers you may already have in your home.


Visit our Instagram for short instructional video clips.

Did you try making a drawing using this week's techniques? Take a picture of it and we'll share it on our Facebook page to give others inspiration and the confidence to get creative! Email a picture of your drawing to garden@alaskabg.org.

Explore how to make your own color wheel, and mix colors. We will examine how to use paint and colored pencil to match colors found in nature. We will reference flowers and plants found in ABG’s Lower Perennial garden to practice matching and mixing the colors of some of our favorite flowers like the blue poppy.

Visit our Instagram for short instructional video clips.

Did you try making a drawing using this week's techniques? Take a picture of it and we'll share it on our Facebook page to give others inspiration and the confidence to get creative! Email a picture of your drawing to garden@alaskabg.org.

Beginners demonstrations on how to do a botanical drawing of a Peony using value and tonal studies with a graphite pencil. Learn about creating a light source, shading, and how to break down the form of a peony. These techniques can also be used to draw any type of plant, fruit or vegetable found in your home or garden.

Visit our Instagram for short instructional video clips.

Did you try making a drawing using this week's techniques? Take a picture of it and we'll share it on our Facebook page to give others inspiration and the confidence to get creative! Email a picture of your drawing to garden@alaskabg.org.

Learn to draw plants using pen and ink. In this demo, we will start at the very beginning with how to draw lines and how to simplify complex subjects, like plants, into outlines.  Using plants that can be found in the ABG Rock garden, such as lady slipper orchids, we will create line drawings that can be done easily from home.

Visit our Instagram for short instructional video clips.

Did you try making a drawing using this week's techniques? Take a picture of it and we'll share it on our Facebook page to give others inspiration and the confidence to get creative! Email a picture of your drawing to garden@alaskabg.org.