Welcome to a winter series of boutique illustrated nature journaling classes designed to build and hone sketching, watercolor and lettering techniques. Expect one-on-one attention, demonstrations, and in-class practice. Not to mention group cheering and camaraderie.
Whether you are a total novice or a seasoned studio painter, skills learned in Pam’s classes will open a brand new world. Your journey begins with understanding how to deeply look at your subject and translate what you see onto paper. Each step you take, at what ever skill level you possess, is personally guided to suit your individual needs.
Hosted by Four Corners Gallery in Old Town Bluffton, these 2.5 hour classes are limited to six participants with a minimum of four students needed to hold the classes.
Why keep an illustrated nature journal?
The practice of keeping an illustrated nature journal fills your heart with childlike wonder. Your journal is a place of experimentation and discovery. Each skill you practice builds your confidence. Your connection with nature deepens and leads you down marvelous rabbit holes ~ but at your own speed. You develop an artistic eye through continued journaling. ‘Rusty’ creative spells vanish, as your eye, mind, heart & hand coordination continues to develop and grow. Your journey of art and nature study delights and lasts for a lifetime.
Class Dates, Times and Themes
Illustrated Nature Journaling Series Classes
are held every other Thursday,
1:00 – 3:30 pm at Four Corners Gallery
1263 May River Road, Bluffton, SC
January 23, 2025
Sketching to See: Learn to trust your marks
– Study different dried plant specimens and work from reference images (both provided). Explore eye, mind, heart & hand observational responses. So simple, so fun and so fruitful for learning mark making skills.
February 6, 2025
Water Soluble Sketching Magic / Simplifying What’s in Front of You: Landscape vignette
– A combination class of learning how to simplify a scene and adding a quick sketching technique that speeds up the process of your observational response. A win-win for making quick journal entries when time is limited.
February 20, 2025
The Intimate Landscape / Plants and Trees: Capture the essence and details
– So much lush vegetation surrounds us. Study includes broad and closeup views of your favorite plants and trees. Learn techniques to simplify shapes of your chosen specimen(s), study key elements that define the tree or plant and then use this information to capture it’s essence. Bring images of at least two different trees/plants to work from and cuttings if possible. Supplies: pencil, pen, watercolors
March 6, 2025
Capturing the Broad Landscape
– Do you feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to capture a great view on paper? Class study is concentrated around breaking down your chosen landscape into shape and value elements. Creating color studies to mimic atmospheric conditions and finally painting a quick color study that captures the essence of the view. The beauty of an illustrated journal is that we are not going for a detailed painting. The aim is to capture how the landscape makes us feel. Pure joy and wonder can be put on paper once you know the steps to make it happen.
Lettering
A portion of each class will be devoted to the study of lettering in the Versal Style. It’s a great way to warm up your eye-hand coordination as you study letter forms. By the end of all four classes, you’ll have a good understanding of upper and lower case Versals you can use on your journal pages.
Bring a lined pad or copy paper to practice.
Registration Terms & Conditions
• All four sessions: $600 / Registration closes mid-night, January 8, 2025
• Any remaining places will be re-advertised and sold as single classes at $175/ea.
Registration for single classes is due by midnight, January 15, 2025
• Your registration is your commitment to attend. Refunds unavailable unless minimum participation numbers are not met.
