Students will develop essential observational skills while learning the artistic foundations of botanical drawing: line weight, line value, shading, and texture techniques. The class combines hands-on drawing practice with an introduction to plant morphology, helping students understand not just how to see plants, but how to truly observe their intricate structures and relationships.

Working from both live specimens and photographs, students will explore the tools and techniques that have been used by botanical illustrators for centuries to document the natural world. Jenna will introduce students to resources like dichotomous keys—those wonderfully methodical guides that help unlock plant identification through a series of either/or questions.

The class will cover the practical side of the craft as well, exploring the best papers for botanical work and the array of pen tools available to the modern illustrator. Students will experiment with graded pencils, fineliner pens and brush pens, learning about the differences between pigment and dye-based inks—knowledge that can mean the difference between artwork that lasts for generations and drawings that fade with time. Jenna will provide a variety of pens for students to test and discover their preferred tools.

By the end of the workshop, students will have developed the skills and confidence needed to create botanically accurate illustrations, combining scientific observation with artistic expression. The goal isn't perfection, but rather the development of a keen eye and steady hand for capturing the remarkable details that make each plant unique. 

Location: WildCraft Studio School (4224 N Mississippi Ave). Portland, OR. Date & Time: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:00-9:00pm. Cost: $140. Register by clicking here.