Winter Botanical Illustration with Olivia Mendoza

January 24, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET

Tuition: $75

Materials Fee: N/A

Led by a natural science illustrator, this workshop invites students to explore the quiet beauty of winter flora through the art of botanical drawing. Using colored pencils, participants will learn to capture the subtle hues, textures, and forms, including and inspired by evergreens, seed pods, and winter blooms. A demonstration will cover how to freehand compositions, build texture, and layer blended colors to bring each subject to life, followed by guided practice time with individual feedback. This will be a cozy, contemplative space for nature lovers and illustration enthusiasts alike to celebrate the resilience and elegance of plant life in winter.

Plan to bring: Smooth Strathmore Bristol paper (9x12), Prismacolor Premier pencils, graphite or mechanical pencil for sketching, and erasers (kneaded, block, and narrow, etc.)

Location: Please note that this workshop takes place at Ox-Bow House, located at 137 Center Street, Douglas, Michigan 49406.

Olivia Mendoza (she/they) is a natural science illustrator and drawing teacher. She has been working as an illustrator for over a decade and teaching for five years at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Her work has led to collaborations with natural science publications of newly discovered plant species, an illustrated avian exhibit for Kalamazoo Nature Center, and native species drawing workshops with the Kalamazoo Public Library - as well as creating botanical work for Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Fernwood Botanical Gardens, Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones, and more. Her enthusiasm for creating new work is equal to the joy of being able to share the process and methods with others.