Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

RENDERING TEXTURES IN GRAPHITE
WITH INTERNATIONAL ARTIST ROGÉRIO LUPO

A drawing done purely in graphite can, by its very nature, provide a spectacular result in botanical art and illustration. In addition, mastering the graphite technique yields us the tools for a detailed investigation of the subject by doing previous studies, so we can grasp the essentials of light and shade before working with other media such as colored pencils, pen and ink, or watercolors. This virtual course led by renowned international artist Rogério Lupo offers the fundamentals of light and shade, but focuses specifically on the richness of textures found in nature with all their diversity, and how to represent them artistically either using only graphite on white paper or graphite plus a light-colored pencil on toned paper. Recordings of each class will be permanently available to students.

In this course, you will:

–Understand the behavior of light which generates the effect of textures when reflected by the objects, and to correctly represent it

–Examine how the quality of reflectivity of an object is intrinsically linked to our presumed tactile sensation

–Work from a “general” to “particular” view, learning tricks to avoid wasting time

–Investigate, understand and correctly represent the surfaces’ microstructure in order to achieve an accurate overall effect

–Comprehend the universal systems of shading that work for rendering most textures

–Achieve summarized and balanced simplicity when representing complex patterns

–Learn and use accessory tools that allow for handy and easy ways to render certain patterns

–Understand how to accurately observe and represent conspicuous and subtle aspects of the patterns seen in feathers, fur, thorns, hairs, scales, ridges, knobs, grooves, cavities, striations, clumps, grasses, trees, groves, etc.

This course will include drawing demonstrations of the various skills that will be discussed. Individualized feedback will be provided to each student. Students who are not enrolled in the certificate program may also register for this course. Students who want a refresher on graphite techniques prior to taking this course can find support in a free guidebook and a video tutorial provided by the instructor.

Fees: Member $290, Non-Member $348

All programs are subject to change. Pre-registration through our website is required.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden strives to be a Garden for all and we are committed to offering diverse adult learning opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to all learners. If you would like to request an accommodation to support your participation in an adult learning opportunity at the Garden, please contact [email protected] or call 804-262-9887 x328 and we will make our best effort to help.

REGISTER MEMBER $290

REGISTER NON-MEMBER $348

Dates:
Thursday, June 13, 2024 - Thursday, August 1, 2024
Time:
5:30 pm - 8:45 pm
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Event Details

This course will be offered virtually via Zoom. A Zoom link will be shared with all students at least one day prior to the course beginning. Each session includes time for a 15-minute break. This course will include drawing demonstrations of the various skills that will be discussed. Students will be encouraged to practice skills during the meeting and to discuss and ask questions. At the end of each class meeting, the instructor will assign tasks to students to work on outside of class. Students will be able to receive individual feedback on their progress. This will be done primarily outside of class time through videos the instructor will record and share with the class. Class sessions will be recorded and available for students after each meeting through a dedicated YouTube playlist.

Pre-requisite: Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration (or other introductory drawing course)

Supplies: Click here to view the recommended supplies for this course. Please note that the Garden is not providing any materials for this course. Students are responsible for supplying their own materials.

GES: BI, 21, elective*

*This course provides 21 hours of elective credit toward the Botanical Illustration Certificate Program. Students who are not enrolled in the certificate program may also register for this course.

This course takes place virtually over 7 Thursdays from 5:30 – 8:45 pm:

  • June 13
  • June 20
  • June 27
  • July 11
  • July 18
  • July 25
  • August 1

*This course skips July 4th.

Rogerio LupoABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Rogério Lupo was born in São Paulo, Brazil, where he graduated as a biologist and studied classical art in the 1990s. Inspired by the traditional techniques of scientific illustration found in ancient and contemporary books, he sought to learn and research about the employment of several media like graphite, pen nib and ink, watercolors, acrylics, colored pencils, pastels and scratchboard. He has been working on commissions from the scientific community and teaching biological illustration since 1998. In 2019, he toured some states and cities in the USA, teaching a series of lectures and workshops on graphite and pen nib and ink applied to biological illustrations. Since 2021 he has been teaching numerous online courses and lectures for his personal program of classes or for institutions across the world. Among some of his awards, he won twice the first prize in the Margaret Mee National Contest of Botanical Illustrations (Brazil) in 2002 and 2003, and also twice the first prize in the Margaret Flockton Award for Excellence in Botanical Illustration (Australia), in 2010 and 2013. In this same contest, he won second prize in 2021, and the “highly commended” prize in 2006, 2010 and 2017.

You can learn more about and follow Rogério on social media:

Banner image credit: Rogério Lupo

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