Courses will meet on-line or in-person as noted in the course description.  In-person courses will meet at the Yale Peabody Community Education Center in Orange, Connecticut.  Some courses have prerequisites or require permission of the instructor to participate.  All 200 level courses require the successful completion of Drawing I (Course # 101) as a prerequisite.

 

106X Sumi-e-inspired Watercolor

Monday, January 9 to February 13, 7 to 9pm. (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Rachel Rasfeld

$240, 6 weeks, 12 hours,

Winter is an excellent chance to study the fascinating forms and growth habits of trees as well as the surrounding landscapes.  Learn how to paint simple landscape backgrounds and how to render tree forms using techniques and approaches inspired by Japanese ink painting.

 

201X Drawing II

Wednesdays, January 4 to March 1, 5 to 8pm (No class February 22) (Meets On-Line)

Instructor: Betsy Barry

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

Developing a sensitivity and proficiency in toning with graphite and mechanical pencils is an important skill in natural science illustration. Building on Drawing 1 skills, emphasis will be on creating accurate observations and traditional renderings of botanical and natural science subjects with correct lighting, value, proportion, and scale. Special attention will be given to creating seamless transitions of graphite in toning objects.

 

205X Pen and Ink

Sundays, January 8 to February 26, 9am to 12 noon (Meets On-Line)

Instructor: Susannah Graedel

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

The beauty and clarity of natural science drawings in ink have been admired for centuries.  Students will master the techniques of traditional scientific illustration using both crow quill and technical pens to depict the natural world in stipple and line.

 

284X Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil

Tuesdays, January 10 to February 14, 4 to 7pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor: Betsy Barry

$360, 6 weeks, 18 hours

In this course we will use colored pencil and graphite on paper to create a botanical illustration.  Emphasis will be on colored pencil technique creating color studies of the subject using sketches and transferring sketchbook work to a final piece.

 

174X Art of Natural History (NEW)

Tuesdays, January 10 to February 28, 5 to 7pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Kate Samworth

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

Examine the social, scientific, religious, political, and economic factors that influenced centuries of cataloging the natural world, from ancient Greece to the Enlightenment.  In this course which combines art history with hands-on studio practice, students will learn to identify and imitate the traditional printmaking techniques that are integral to natural history illustration through a series of demonstrations in mixed media.  Two hour hands-on sessions will meet weekly while accompanying one-hour recorded presentations on art history will be available for viewing at the student’s convenience.  Each week will highlight a different topic in science including botany, ornithology, zoology, anatomy, entomology, cabinets of curiosity, marine life, and geometry in nature.

 

107XA Noticing: Poetry and Nature Journaling

Thursdays, January 12 to February 2, 10am to 12 noon (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Linda Miller

$160, 4 weeks, 8 hours

We will read and discuss writings with the theme of nature, and we will explore and discover possibilities for creating our own haiku and other simple forms of poetry.  We will then see how these words can inspire us when we are enjoying observational drawing, and we will try illustrating our own poems.

 

267X Introduction to Adobe Photoshop for Natural Science Illustrators

Thursdays, January 19 to March 9, 5 to 8pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Ikumi Kayama

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

In this virtual 8-week course, students will take their completed illustrations in a traditional medium and manipulate them for publication in Adobe Photoshop.  The famously complicated and ever-changing Photoshop palettes and tools will be discussed and the tools most often used by professional scientific illustrators will be covered.  After taking this course, the students should have a working knowledge and basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop. 

 

107XB Noticing:  Poetry and Nature Journaling

Mondays, January 23 to February 13, 6 to 8pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Linda Miller

$160, 4 weeks, 8 hours

We will read and discuss writings with the theme of nature, and we will explore and discover possibilities for creating our own haiku and other simple forms of poetry.  We will then see how these words can inspire us when we are enjoying observational drawing, and we will try illustrating our own poems.

 

101X Drawing I (Session 1)

Saturdays, January 28 to March 18, 11am to 2pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor: Jan Prentice

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

101X Drawing I (Session 2)

Wednesdays, March 8 to April 26, 5 to 8pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Betsy Barry

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

Drawing I is the foundation course for all Natural Science Illustration courses taught at the Peabody Museum. It is required for enrolling in any 200-level course.  It is here that the necessary techniques in rendering light on form, value, texture, perspective, proportion, and composition are taught.  Students should expect to spend time outside of class working on weekly assignments and a final project.

 

172X Children’s Books: Science and Art

Thursdays, February 9 to March 2, 10am to 12 noon (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Linda Miller

$160, 4 weeks, 8 hours

We will explore some of the wonderful new books out there and have the opportunity to have a dialogue with some authors and illustrators.  We will also learn about the process of creating children’s books by journaling and creating storyboards for our own books!

 

152X Secrets of Trees in Winter:  Identifying and Drawing Actual Twigs and Buds

Saturday, February 11, 1 to 5pm (Meets In-Person)

Instructor:  Susannah Graedel

$80, 1 day, 4 hours

Botanists identify trees in winter by their dormant twigs and buds.  In this workshop, participants will use a dichotomous key to identify a variety of tree species by twig and then create their own drawings of the twigs’ special features to use as a field guide so they can identify tree species outside in their own neighborhood when they are free of leaves.

 

165X Birds and their Habitats:  A Sketchbook Journey

Fridays, March 3 to April 7, 2 to 5pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructors:  Dorie Petrochko and Jim Sirch

$360, 6 weeks, 18 hours

Through the eyes of a naturalist and an artist, explore the fascinating lives of birds of the Northeast, documenting their nesting, breeding, and migrating habits via a sketchbook journal.  We will record and draw our observations of various common species of birds, their anatomy and their interrelationships with plants.  No previous experience is necessary, but Drawing I is recommended.

 

201X Drawing II

Sundays, March 5 to April 30, 2 to 5pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor: Dorie Petrochko

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

Developing a sensitivity and proficiency in toning with graphite and mechanical pencils is an important skill in natural science illustration. Building on Drawing 1 skills, emphasis will be on creating accurate observations and traditional renderings of botanical and natural science subjects with correct lighting, value, proportion, and scale. Special attention will be given to creating seamless transitions of graphite in toning objects.

 

128X Watercolor Workshop for Beginners (Session 1)

Tuesdays, March 7 to March 28, 10am to 12 noon (Meets On-Line)

Instructor: Linda Miller

$160, 4 weeks, 8 hours

 

128 Watercolor Workshop for Beginners (Session 2)

Tuesday April 4-Tuesday April 25, 10am to 12 noon (Meets In-Person)

Instructor: Linda Miller

$160, 4 weeks, 8 hours

Get a taste of what is involved when you paint with watercolor. The traditional approach to transparent watercolor painting will be taught, with the focus on limited palettes, mixing, layering, and glazing to create luminous, beautiful colors in this special medium. Session 1 (March 7 to March 28) meets on-line.  Session 2 (April 4 to April 25) meets in-person.

 

294X Marketing for Illustrators

Thursdays, March 16 to May 4, 5 to 8pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Ikumi Kayama

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

Description: Not too many artists and illustrators enjoy the business side of art and marketing. Fear comes from the unknown and the unfamiliar; let’s break down that barrier to take the first steps to start and maintain a successful art business. This virtual 8-week course will guide the students to break down the overwhelming business marketing principles, terminology, and approaches into something more manageable, fun, and exciting.

 

148X Illustrating Insects in Colored Pencil

Tuesdays, March 21 to April 25, 2 to 5pm (Meets In-Person)

Instructor:  Kim Burris

$360, 6 weeks, 18 hours

Explore the intricate and diverse beauty of insects.  Learn basic insect anatomy and colored pencil techniques to create detailed drawings.  Students will focus on three insect orders: Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) and Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). Students will have access to insect specimens from the Peabody Museum’s collections.  Drawing experience recommended or permission of the instructor.

 

171X How to Draw a Dinosaur (Iguanadon)

Tuesdays, March 21 to April 25, 6 to 8pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Armand Morgan

$240, 6 weeks, 12 hours

This class will guide participants through a step-by-step illustration of a well-known Peabody Dinosaur, Iguanadon.  We will begin by studying the dinosaur’s posture and drawing the skeleton.  Then we ‘ll add the proposed musculature and finally a body covering.  This process can be applied to other prehistoric and modern vertebrate animals.  Drawing experience is helpful but not required.

 

103X Field Sketching and Nature Journaling (Session 1)

Thursdays, March 23 to April 27, 10am to 12 noon (Meets On-Line)

Instructor: Linda Miller

$240, 6 weeks, 12 hours

103X Field Sketching and Nature Journaling (Session 2)

Thursdays, May 4 to June 8, 10am to 12 noon (Meets On-Line)

Instructor: Linda Miller

$240, 6 weeks, 12 hours

103 Field Sketching and Nature Journaling (Session 3)

Tuesdays, May 9 to June 13, 10am to 12 noon (Meets In-Person)

Instructor: Linda Miller

$240, 6 weeks, 12 hours

Learn the basics of observational drawing starting with simple objects so that you can sketch what you find outdoors as well as indoors. Students will be encouraged to carry their sketchbooks and journals wherever they go; and there will be a balance between presentations by the instructor with actual practice, followed by group critiques. Guest naturalists will join some of our critiques so that they can help us identify what we discover in the different seasons. Learn to slow down and observe more deeply as you connect and open up to the ineffable in natural objects through the making of art.  Session 1(March 23 to April 27) and Session 2 (May 4 to June 10) meet on-line.  Session 3 (May 9 to June 13) meets in-person.

 

241X Colored Pencil I

Saturdays, March 25 to May 13, 11am to 2pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Jan Prentice

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

Begin your exploration of color with this approachable medium. In the first few meetings, students will learn and practice key color concepts: primary and secondary color, local color, color temperature, hue, chroma and value. With this background, students will then learn techniques needed to create beautiful, detailed drawings on a variety of drawing surfaces.

 

175 Illustrating Owls in Ink

Saturdays, April 1 to April 22, 10am to 1pm (Meets In-Person)

Instructor:  Jeanette Compton

$240, 4 weeks, 12 hours

The enigmatic owl will be the focus of this in-person workshop.  Students will be introduced to the anatomy and natural history of owls and depict an owl from the Peabody Museum’s ornithology collection with fineliner pen, using natural science illustration techniques.

 

244X Watercolor I

Mondays, April 24 to June 26, 2 to 5pm (No class May 29 and June 19) (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Dorie Petrochko

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

Learn the basic techniques of watercolor painting including color theory, color mixing, washes, layering, dry versus wet, dry brush, and achieving fine detail necessary for natural science subjects. Students will learn how to plan a painting and develop it carefully to capture the beauty of this transparent medium. 

 

270X Plant Morphology

Saturdays, April 29 to June 24, 9am to 12 noon (Meets On-Line)

Instructor:  Susannah Graedel

$480, 8 weeks, 24 hours

Explore the exquisite variety of form, function, and structural adaptations of flowering plants.  Each week students will draw the parts of one or two flowers from different families to produce an artistic botanical plate of each one. When possible, students will dissect live flowers in class.  When fresh flowers are unavailable to students, they will work from published references to produce their illustrations.  Each class will include a primer on basic botany.

 

169X Plants and their Pollinators

Fridays, May 5 to June 9, 2 to 5pm (Meets On-Line)

Instructors: Jim Sirch and Dorie Petrochko

$360, 6 weeks, 18 hours

Through the eyes of a naturalist and an artist, we will explore the uncommon lifestyles of our common pollinators such as birds, bees, butterflies and moths.  We will record and draw our observations of them in a sketchbook-journal format representing each species and their interrelationship with plants.  No previous drawing experience is necessary, but Drawing I is recommended.

 

292X Portraying Natural Science Subjects in Mixed Media

Thursdays, June 16 to July 14, 2 to 5pm (On-Line)

Instructor:  Dorie Petrochko

$300, 5 weeks, 15 hours

Prerequisites:  Watercolor I or Colored Pencil I

We will explore the many possibilities of representing natural science subjects in mixed media.  Often traditional mediums are used to reproduce accurate renderings of scientific specimens.  We will keep an open mind in creating works that are dynamic and accurate by incorporating watercolor, colored pencil, gouache, pastels and inks.