Workshop: Jane Sassaman "Abstracting from Nature" SOLD OUT

Skill Level: Beginning to Advanced.

Nature is an endless source of inspiration.  In this class we will examine a wide variety of artists’ interpretations of nature before beginning to manipulate natural forms ourselves.  Through a series of exercises we will experiment with abstraction and exaggeration to capture the essence and energy of your favorite flora and achieve dramatic visual effects.

Drawing skills are not needed but participants should have a strong interest in developing their own design language and unique visual symbols.

In this one-day class you will choose a plant subject to work through a set of design exercises. This subject needs to have a variety of elements to work with… like a blossom, stem, leaves, buds, etc. to make the exercises successful. Bring as many views and detailed (leaves, blossoms, overall, etc.) pictures as you can for each one. Our goal is to discover as much about the plant as we can before simplifying and exaggerating it for our own interpretation. Many folks bring their inspiration on a computer or iPad, which also allows us to look up images on the internet. Others bring 8.5” X 11” prints or snap shots. Personally, I prefer prints because you can spread them out and look at them easily and you don’t have to keep scrollingback and forth. Books, of course, are another way to go. Seed or bulb catalogs can be helpful, too.

This class is especially beneficial for the drawing impaired and the tragically literal.