Portraits of Trees - A Drawing Workshop

Through still and careful observation of the trees around us, we tap into a deeply relaxing communion with place, experiencing the healing serenity that a forest retreat at Breitenbush Hot Springs can promise. The act of observing nature with such inquisitive care offers a rejuvenating sense of calm purpose not often experienced in our busy day-to-day lives.

“Stillness is the altar of the spirit.” — Paramahansa Yogananda

In this workshop, participants practice the art of drawing trees, from observation. This means that we will spend most of our time outside or looking out of windows, sketchbook in hand. With an eye on the trees, this course introduces the basic building blocks of drawing, including:

• proportion
• form
• value
• scale
• line quality
• composition

We apply these fundamentals to observing and sketching our favorite trees, or groups of trees, around Breitenbush. A variety of wet and dry media will be explored including, but not limited to:

• charcoal
• graphite
• ink wash

The same principals and techniques used to draw trees can be applied to drawing the human figure or any other representational subject. This is a good preliminary course for the beginning artist looking to build skill or intermediate artist developing ones practice. Seasoned artists will enjoy the forest sanctuary and are welcome to bring art materials of their choice. Sketchbooks and drawing materials to be provided with registration fee.

All levels are welcome.

View the complete retreat schedule here.