Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Translating Colors
INTO GRAYSCALE VALUES

There is great appeal in all black & white drawings, but although colors get suppressed, their tonal values can and should still be faithfully represented in botanical art. The result of such an endeavor is surprisingly enchanting, although the process is sometimes quite challenging. This course aims to navigate those challenges and explore logical and easier ways to observe, perceive, compare, and represent all values to achieve a harmonious and precise outcome, eliminating noise or confusion in the cognition of visual information. In this process, colors restricted to their tonal values contribute to conveying an enhanced sense of realism.

We will explore methods of representation mainly using graphite or gray colored pencils on white and toned paper, but the principles to be taught apply to any other black & white technique like pen & ink, scratchboard, engraving, ink wash, etc.

It is recommended that students have a good practical understanding of analytical drawing and the fundamentals for perceiving and representing light and shade. These skills, however, are not required to have come from formal courses, the teacher also accepts anyone with self-taught abilities on that subject matter. Students can self-assess their skills and freely decide to enroll.

This course is a good introduction to, and can be complemented by Rogério’s next course “Multicolored and pattern-colored objects rendered in colored pencils”, but enrolling in one does not require enrolling in both.

This virtual course is led by renowned international artist Rogério Lupo. Recordings of each class will be permanently available to students.

Fees: Member $185, Non-Member $222

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 x320 and we will make our best effort to help.

REGISTER MEMBER $185

REGISTER NON-MEMBER $222

Dates:
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Time:
5:30 pm - 8:45 pm
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.

Supplies: There are recommended supplies for this course if you wish to draw alongside Rogério throughout the course. Click here to view and download this supply list.  Please note that the Garden is not providing any materials for this course. Students are responsible for supplying their own materials.

GES: BI, 12, elective*

*This class provides 12 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 4 Wednesdays from 5:30 – 8:45 pm:

  • January 15
  • January 22
  • January 29
  • February 5

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

Explore more exciting opportunities with Rogério Lupo:

login or create an account

We have adapted a new Garden-wide system as of March 6, 2024. You will need to create or activate your account the first time you use the system.

manage my account
Adult Learning at the Garden

Browse all upcoming adult classes, tours and programs using our Programs By Date tool.

Browse Opportunities