Introductory Courses
Students wishing to learn more about botanical illustration or wanting to brush-up on their skills before beginning the certificate sequence can take introductory courses that are not part of the certificate requirements: Introduction to Botanical Illustration, Art Materials for the Botanical Illustrator and Introduction to Drawing in Pencil.
Required Courses
The following 13 courses are required if you wish to receive a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration. The recommended sequence of courses is listed below. This succession is appropriate for both the certificate and the non-certificate student. Classes can also be taken in the order determined by their prerequisites. Courses consist of exercises, critiques, demonstrations and homework assignments. A list of supplies for each course will be sent with your class confirmation.
- Botanical Illustration in Pencil I
- Botany for the Botanical Illustrator
- Botanical Illustration in Pencil II
- Composition for Botanical Illustration
- Perfecting Perspective
- Color Layering for Colored Pencil
- Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil I
- Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil II
- Color Mixing for Artists
- Botanical Illustration in Pen and Ink I
- Botanical Illustration in Pen and Ink II*
- Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I
- Botanical Illustration in Watercolor II*
Each of these 13 courses consist of exercises, critiques, demonstrations and homework assignments. The length of each course is 15 hours.
Elective Courses
The elective courses are all designed to increase the students' knowledge and skills on the field. In addition to the 13 required courses, you must select minimum of 100 elective hours. Please check the catalogue, since the number and topic of elective courses offered in any one year may vary. Guest instructor workshops may be taken as electives.
In order to reveive credit for any course, attendance is required at the first class for any course and at 80% of all classes.
Café Botanique - Science Lecture Series
This free lecture series is open to Botanical Art and Illustration Student as well as to DBG members, the general public, academia and artists. Café Botanique generally meets every first and third Thursday evening of the month at the Gardens, 6:30-8:00 p.m.There is no admission fee and pre-registration is not required. Participation to one lecture gives 1 elective credit hour and you can receive a maximum of 15 credit hours from these lectures.
For more information please contact the Program Coordinator at 303-731-3448 or mervihj@botanicgardens.org
Portfolio Review
1. Call the Botanic Gardens Registrar at 720-865-3580 and request for a copy of your transcript. A second copy is mailed to the program coordinator for review to ensure that all the classes are completed and accounted. Program coordinator will contact you after the review.
2. Compile your artwork. You need 5 finished plates, one piece in each of the core media: graphite pencil, pen and ink, colored pencil, and water media, and one additional piece in your choice of program media or a combination of the above.
3. The portfolio is a collection of your work. It does not need to be framed, matted, or placed in a physical portfolio. It does need to be clean and complete and presented as you would like us to see it.
4. If you would like advice or feedback on any pieces for the portfolio, please don't hesitate to contact the appropriate teacher(s) for a consult. We are here for your success!
For more detailed quide to prepare your Portfolio, please follow this link.