Thursday, August 3
Full Day Workshops, 8am – 5pm
(1 hour break for lunch, Noon – 1pm)
Pen & Ink or Pencil on Scratchboard
- Trudy Nicholson
Level: General
Prerequisites: none
Lab Room 1, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
The goals of this workshop are to introduce participants to the potentials of ink or graphite pencil on white scratchboard by discussion, demonstrations, examples and practice. Participants will learn the methods of creating ink textures and the wide range of combinations of textures using the pen and x-acto blade to juxtapose and overlap lines and dots, as well as making corrections and fine details in both ink and pencil. They will choose several subjects, create a well-balanced dark and light composition that they will sketch, transfer and render in ink or pencil on scratchboard. Emphasis will be placed on conveying form, shading, texture, and spatial placement of each element of their composition with detail and accuracy, completing one ink composition or one graphite pencil composition.
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Detail of Fledgling Common Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Ink on Scratchboard, 16" x 12", by Trudy Nicholson, 1997.
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Sculpting with Polymer Clay
- Scott Rawlins
Level: General
Prerequisites: None
Lab Room 3, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
The difference between a successful and an unsuccessful interpretation of a biological subject can sometimes be attributed to an inability to recreate form convincingly. Scientific illustrators frequently work from flattened source materials, such as herbarium mounts or photographs. Because of this, the ability to visualize the subjects three-dimensionally is essential, and practice building scale models can be of great value. Moreover, museums and universities frequently use models to portray the morphology of organisms that are difficult to preserve or hard to see; thus knowledge of basic model making techniques should be included in the repertoire of every scientific artist.
Participants in this workshop will experiment with polymer clay (i.e., Sculpey), and learn how to recreate various subjects three-dimensionally and paint them realistically.
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Sea Slug (Flabellina marcusorum) Acrylic on polymer clay by Scott Rawlins, 2000.
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3D Techniques and Technologies in Digital Illustration (part1)
- Jean Probert, Assistant: Britt Griswold
Level: Beginner 3D, Intermediate Digital
Prerequisites: Some experience with computer graphics applications, especially Illustrator and Photoshop, will be very helpful.
Biology New Media Center, Genetics/Biotechnology Center
The goal of this workshop is to introduce participants to the principles of digital 3D in preliminary and finished illustration.
Subject matter will include a variety of example projects that lend themselves to 3D preparation, culminating in a more complex illustration using the concepts learned. Day one will include demonstrations and hands-on experience with a few accessible and affordable 3D applications available on Macintosh (10.3 and higher) and Windows platforms, some free of cost. If students prefer to work on their own laptops, demo 3D software will be available but Photoshop is required. A sketchpad and pencil or pen may be helpful, but is not required. All computers and software will be supplied.
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Strata3D Pro working environment by Jean Probert 2006
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Basic Flash
- Larry Lavendel
Level: Beginner
Room B109, Computer Science
Flash is a sophisticated tool for providing interaction on the web. Many of the web sites we visit now use flash as a fundamental part of their media delivery. In this class each student will create an on-line portfolio/promotional web site. By doing so we will explore the basic tools and techniques for producing interactive Flash media. The concepts covered will include: creating, modifying, importing and managing graphic elements, creating and controlling frame and tween animations, creating and using buttons, fundamental Action Scripting, adding and controlling sound, publishing flash media.
Optional: You may bring scanned images of your own work on CD or USB drive to experiment with as part of the creation process.
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Flash Screen Shots by Larry Lavendel
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Half Day Workshops
8am – Noon |
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Drawing Trees
- Dick Rauh
Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: None.
Lab 2, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
This is a half-day sketching experience focusing on the rendering of trees. My approach will be
to emphasize an immediate eye to hand type of rendering using Technical pens on water color blocks. We will start with a preliminary discussion of tree architecture, and generally, what to look for: i.e. the differences in the branching patterns of common local trees, the masses of leaf forms defined by light and shade, etc. The use of contour drawing technique will be explained, and its application to the sketching of natural forms. We will attempt to complete at least one drawing in pen and ink. |
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| 1 – 5pm |
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Photoshop Basics For Traditional Artists
- Gail Guth
- Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: basic computer skills; basic knowledge of Photoshop helpful, but not required.
Computer Lab, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
Aimed primarily at traditional artists with (or without!) a smattering of Photoshop skills who would like to learn a bit more about this powerful program. We’ll explore basic skills, such as how to create useable files, work on layouts and design, make changes or corrections to art, prepare art to send to publishers and/or colleagues, and archive files. This will not be a class for those who want to pursue advanced Photoshop skills, although we may spark future exploration, but for those who find they need basic information to function in an increasingly digital world. Gail will provide a practice image, but you can bring your own scanned art file and a blank CD or thumb drive to save class work. |
Hippos by Gail W. Guth, 2004.
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Friday, August 4
Full Day Workshops, 8am – 5pm
(1 hour break for lunch, Noon – 1pm) |
Mix and Match: How to Find and Mix a Color (Day 1)
- Patricia Savage
Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: none
Lab 1, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
All budding watercolorists have puzzled over how to find the right pigments for a particular color, how to mix that color on a palette, and how to paint the color transparently with minimal pick-up of layers. In this workshop, students will learn through a series of exercises how to determine the hue of the color and its warmth or coolness. Students will learn basic pigment mixing and how to paint transparent layers with dry-brush watercolor. Working with these basic principles and technique will give the beginning watercolorist the tools to find and apply any color in the rainbow.
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"Pink" Climbing Rose, a cutting from my Great-Grandmother's rose. Pastel on Sennelier Sanded Surface, 7" x 8" by Patricia Savage, 2004.
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Acrylic Techniques
- Rhonda Nass
Level: General
Prerequisites: none
Lab 3, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
Acrylics can capture the most delicate details of nature. Learn to mix and use thin glazes of acrylic, creating translucent, subtle color. You will complete several exercises exploring various characteristics of acrylic. Bring a reference photo of your chosen subject matter (close-up perspective) and receive help proceeding to an acrylic original of your own.
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Pasqueflower (Anemone patens) Acrylic on canvas, 14" x 10", by Rhonda Nass.
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The Business of Art
- Dolores Santoliquido
Level: General
Prerequisites: Bring in a portfolio of artwork and all available current promotional materials for sharing during the workshop.
Conference Room, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
We make the life decision to become a professional artist. We select a program fitted to our desires and talents. We hone our skills; learn about design, draftsmanship, composition, color and all the other elements that make up good art. We receive our undergraduate degree and in many cases, continue with graduate studies in our area of concentration. Then we are set free to earn a living in the art world, a world that functions differently than the business world at large, usually with little or no training on how to logically and successfully proceed. This workshop will focus on discussing necessary business practices for running a freelance business, including how to determine pricing, handle and negotiate with clients, deal with copyrights, develop a portfolio and deal with various legal issues. It is strongly recommended that each participant purchase and read the most current edition of the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook of Pricing & Ethical Guidelines. Participants need to bring in a portfolio of artwork, questions and any promotional materials to share and review.
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3D Techniques and Technologies in Digital Illustration (part2)
- Jean Probert, Assistant: Britt Griswold
Level: Beginner 3D, Intermediate Digital
Prerequisites: Some experience with computer graphics applications, especially Illustrator and Photoshop, will be very helpful.
Biology New Media Center, Genetics/Biotechnology Center
The goal of day 2 is a deeper exploration of the workflow of illustration preparation. Participation in day 1 of the workshop is highly recommended. The use of additional modeling programs, texturing options, and post processing 3D imagery will be covered.
The 3D programs will be Strata3D Pro, Silo, Wings; 30 day demo copies will be used, so if you plan to use your own laptop and want to test drive them beforehand, do not install demos more than 30 days prior to the end of the conference.
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Strata3d Pro Render of Silo model, Photoshop post-processing. Jean Probert 2006.
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Digital Drawing with Adobe Illustrator
- Rick Simonson
Level: beginner
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills
Room B109, Computer Science
Learn how to create artwork using Adobe Illustrator! Illustrator is a vector graphics or “drawing” program that can be used to create original artwork from initial sketch to finished piece. In this workshop you will become familiar with how each tool and palette functions. We will experiment with the basic techniques of drawing and coloring, creating and working with brushes and symbols, as well as using layers and type. You will learn to determine the most efficient way to construct your image. We will also discuss how to use the keyboard together with the graphics tablet. We will set up a workspace and create a simple illustration (or at least start one).
Bring: reference material (digital images (on CD), sketches, photos, or small specimens).
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Adobe Illustrator screenshot by Rick Simonson 2005
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Half Day Workshops
8am – Noon |
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Make Your Own Hardcover Sketchbook
- Gretchen Halpert
Level: General
Prerequisites: helps to be able to measure, cut straight lines and thread a needle
Lab 2, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
Choose between a rectangular and square format book.
Making your own sketchbook is not only rewarding, but allows you to choose and combine a variety of papers under one cover. You may choose papers suited for watercolor, pen and ink, color pencil, graphite, markers, cray-pas and pastel. With little to no gluing and some basic sewing, participants will construct a decorative sturdy hard-cover/soft-spined book to use throughout the conference. Once participants learn this construction method, they will be able to make books of any size for any purpose. Examples of other construction designs will be discussed. |
Artist's sketchbook cover by Gretchen Halpert 2003.
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| 1 – 5pm |
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Illumination
- Carol Jean Rogalski
Level: General
Prerequisites: none
Lab 2, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
Illumination ranges from being a simple decoration of a letter to an elaborate style. The instructor will explain the ways to achieve both simple and elaborate styles of decorating, including colored ground and filigree work. She will lead you through the basic step of copying (a copyright free image), to painting, to the application of the gold leaf or other metals. Flat and raised gilding will be demonstrated and individual guidance will be provided. A variety of adhesives, from medieval to modern recipes will be provided for experimentation. Students may also bring their favorite images and plate-finished papers. A computer will be available to review medieval works. It is highly recommended that the student attend the instructor’s presentation Nature Images in Illuminated Manuscripts. |
Nelumbo nucifera cv. Lotus (per Chicago Botanical Garden librarian) by Carol Jean Rogalski 2004.
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| Saturday, August 5 |
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Full Day Workshop, 8am – 5pm
(1 hour break for lunch, noon – 1pm)
Mix and Match: How to Find and Mix a Color (Day 2)
- Patricia Savage
Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: none
Lab 1, Weeks Hall for Geological Science
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