Explore the quiet beauty of winter botanicals in this intermediate to advanced botanical drawing workshop focused on the structure, texture, and character of dormant plants.
With leaves and flowers gone, the intricate branching patterns, delicate seedheads, and weathered stems reveal new possibilities for observation and artistic expression. Through guided demonstrations and close observation, discover how to capture the distinctive gestures and details of winter plant material, approaching each subject as a portrait shaped by time and the elements.
Over two days, develop your skills in graphite drawing and watercolor as you explore composition, tonal range, texture, and the subtle colors that remain in the winter landscape. Begin with observational studies in graphite, examining everything from the texture of bark to the shadows within hollow stems, then build on your work to create a finished graphite drawing or a watercolor study inspired by muted winter hues. Individual feedback, group critiques, and dedicated studio time will help you refine your technique and develop a deeper appreciation for the expressive potential of botanical subjects beyond the growing season. This workshop is designed for artists with a foundation in botanical drawing who are ready to explore more advanced approaches to form and observation.
Location
The Grove Studio 104 & 105
Instructor
Margaret Saylor
Artist Margaret Saylor creates highly detailed, textural botanical paintings and drawings that capture the essence of a simple object from nature and present it as an exquisite jewel in an ethereal setting. She specializes in mushrooms, fungi, and woodland plants and combines accurate illustration with the beauty of shape, form, and color. Saylor earned a BFA in Communications Design at Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA. Though she was trained as a graphic designer, this experience provided the solid foundation she needed when she turned to fine art in a quest for a hands-on, detail-oriented method of depicting the natural world. Saylor was awarded a certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration, with distinction, from the New York Botanical Garden in June 2013. When not painting, Saylor teaches botanical art both online and in person. Saylor is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators and has exhibited with both groups. Since 2013, she has been the Editor/Designer of The Botanical Artist, the quarterly journal of the American Society of Botanical Artists.
