Description

Botanical Illustration Intensive Workshop on Kaua’i, Hawai’i

at The National Tropical Botanical Garden

Instructors: Vern Fannin, Sam McWilliams, and Wendy Hollender

Note from Wendy Hollender: My focus for this workshop will be composition and telling plant stories through botanical illustration. Vern Fannin and Sam McWilliams have been teaching with me for years, and they are excellent instructors. They do daily drawing demonstrations and work closely with beginners to help with fundamental techniques. I am always in the room working on my compositions, and a few times a week, I do demonstrations of more advanced techniques. We are all available to work individually with anyone that wants our attention.

Classes will be held at:

National Tropical Botanical Garden
Education Headquarters
3530 Papalina Rd
Kalaheo, HI 96741
(808) 332-7324
www.ntbg.org

Workshop Dates: February 3 – 21, 2025

Week 1: Monday – Friday, Feb 3 – 7, 10am – 4pm [SOLD OUT]

(Beginners are strongly encouraged to start on Week 1, but are welcome all weeks.)

Week 2: Monday – Friday, Feb 10 – 14, 10am – 4pm 

Week 3: Monday – Friday, Feb 17 – 21, 10am – 4pm 

We recommend attending for as many days as possible; the more you immerse yourself, the deeper the learning experience.

Workshop Description:

Draw amidst the serene beauty and endless inspiration of the McBryde Garden at the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) on Kaua’i. This stunning location provides an ideal backdrop for our gathering of plant enthusiasts, eager to explore their artistic side. 

Surrounded by a myriad of captivating plants, we’ll also have access to a team of knowledgeable botanists ready to enrich our experience with their expertise. It’s a rare chance to cultivate our skills, unwind, and enjoy ourselves in this picturesque environment. Which fascinating tropical plants will you draw?

An average day might look like…

-Wake up to crowing roosters and a gorgeous view of pink clouds appearing as the sun rises over the ridge of the Lawa’i Valley. Eat breakfast, perhaps try Sam’s favorite – papaya and macadamia nuts, squeeze of lime, with a touch of local Hawaiian Salt.
-Walk to the classroom amidst the morning songs of Finches, Myna Birds, and Java Sparrows. Say hello to all the plants on your way and see what they’re up to. (They may be good subjects to draw later…)
–Greetings upon arrival to the classroom around 10am. Set yourself up and warm up your drawing muscles.
-Watch an instructor drawing demonstration of foundational basics (light source, perspective, toning, etc.)

-Visit the garden with instructors and NTBG Botanists to select your subject.
–Practice botanical drawing from wherever you prefer (at a table inside or outside the classroom, or in the garden) using graphite pencil, colored pencils, and watercolor. (Find our full list of recommended supplies here.)
-When you have questions about your work, ask instructors available in the classroom all day (10am-4pm).
-Enjoy your lunch overlooking the ocean. (If you’re lucky, you can see whitecaps and whales, perhaps a passing rain storm, often rainbows!)

-Visit the Rare Book Room with instructors and an NTBG Herbarium specialist, and discuss Hawaiian plants, culture, and history.
-Further instructor demonstrations of techniques for specific details (color matching, texture, burnishing, etc.)
–Finish for the day around 4pm
-On off-hours and weekends, explore the island, relax at the beach, go for a sunset swim, or continue to draw at home… then do it again the next day!

Why Join Us?

–No prior drawing experience needed – just bring your passion!
–Personalized instruction tailored to every skill level
–Daily drawing demonstrations from friendly, experienced instructors, Pam, Sam, & Wendy
–Tour the vibrant gardens with NTBG botanists and staff
–Select interesting subjects from the wide variety of tropical plants growing at NTBG to observe and draw
–Create your own detailed botanical drawings and sketchbook study pages of flowering plants, fruits, and seedpods
–Learn about plant structures and their importance through dissection and comparison
–Discover the treasures of NTBG’s extensive library collection of historical botanical illustrations (spanning four centuries!) to understand tradition and techniques still in use today
-Opportunities to arrange large compositions (OPTIONAL, for those with more experience)

Prerequisites are NOT required for this workshop, but if you want to gain confidence and build some foundational skills before attending, we recommend the Botanical Basics online program, practicing from one of Wendy Hollender’s books, and/or taking a Zoom workshop with us. For a look at all of our free and paid resources, see this Learn to Draw page.

What to Expect

-Instructional classes will be conducted for 5 days each week from 10 am to 4pm on the premises at The National Tropical Botanical Garden. (Students can arrive early and stay late each day, if they would like.)
-We have a large indoor/outdoor classroom for our use, with time to draw outside in the garden as well.
–We will not provide meals at this workshop. Please bring your own lunch and snacks to class. A full kitchen is of use to us, attached to our classroom.

Workshop Fees:

Please click the drop-down menu next to each week and select Yes or No. (If you only select Yes for the week(s) you’d like to come, you will not be able to add the workshop to your cart until you select No for the week(s) you would not like to participate.)

Three week workshop: $2625

Two week workshop: $1750

One week workshop: $875

Week 1 + 2 + 3 – Everyone welcome. Choose this option if you are coming for all 3 weeks.

Week 1 + 2 – Choose this option if you are a beginner and would like to attend for two weeks.

Week 2 + 3 – Choose this option if you are an experienced student and would like to attend for two weeks. (no first time Draw Botanical students please)

Week 1 – Choose this option if you are a beginner and only want to attend for one week.

Week 2 / Week 3 – Choose this option if you are an experienced student and only want to attend for one week (no first time Draw Botanical students please)

Fee does NOT include travel, lodging, or meals.

NTBG members will receive a 10% Discount by request. Email info@drawbotanical.com to get the discount code.

Art Supplies:

PLEASE NOTE: We will not be bringing many art supplies to sell, so please ORDER YOUR SUPPLIES AHEAD OF TIME.

See our list of Recommended Supplies. You can bring supplies with you, OR you can ship supplies directly to the NTBG at the following address;

SHIP TO: NTBG Ed Center
Attn: Draw Botanical Workshop/YOUR NAME
3530 Papalina Rd
Kalaheo, HI 96741

Housing:

There are numerous housing options in nearby Kalaheo and Poipu or other locations in the area. There are condos, hotels, motels, Air BnB’s, and Bed and Breakfasts. Book early!

Click here for more information about housing options

Refund Policy:

In the event you cancel over 6 weeks before, a partial refund of 70% will be given if we are able to fill your spot. If we are unable to fill your spot or if you cancel less than 6 weeks before, we cannot issue a refund. 

We reserve the right to cancel a workshop at any time. If we cancel a workshop, you will receive a full refund.