Join author and artist Robin Lee Carlson for a day of field sketching among the oaks at the Hopland Research and Extension Center. The workshop will introduce ink and watercolor techniques to bring nature to life in our sketchbooks. Robin will share her methods for exploring a landscape, letting one observation lead to another as participants discover connections between plants, animals, fungi, soil, rocks, and water.

We will focus on drawing directly with ink so that initial impressions are lively and spontaneous, and we’ll practice applying watercolor loosely and freely, letting colors mix on the page.

The day will start with demonstrations and warm-up exercises indoors and then we will take a short walk to the creek to continue explorations outside under the trees. Exercises and instruction will be offered throughout, and participants may join in or work independently. We will come together at the end to share work and discuss our experiences.

Materials:

1. Sketchbook (or loose pages on a clipboard). Mixed media or watercolor paper is best.
2. Ink pen. Robin will be using a fountain pen and a brush pen (Pentel Pocket Brush Pen), both with waterproof black ink. You do not need these pens specifically - a fineliner like Pigma Micron or any other waterproof pen you are comfortable with will be great.
3. Watercolors.  A limited palette will be used for working in the field. You do not need to have these exact colors.
   - Quinacridone Rose
   - Hansa Yellow Light
   - Cobalt Teal Blue
   - Burnt Sienna
   - Monte Amiata Natural Sienna
   - Indanthrone Blue
4. Waterbrush or watercolor brush(es) and a portable water container.

Instructor Biography

Robin Lee Carlson is an author and natural science illustrator, building careful observations of the natural world into deeper commentary on ecology and climate change. Her work centers on field sketching ecoreportage, living documentation of the ever-accelerating transformation of ecosystems by human activity. She is the author of The Cold Canyon Fire Journals and her work has also appeared in The Common and Arnoldia. She teaches workshops that combine drawing, painting, and natural science.

Note 

This workshop takes place during the A-zone deer hunt season. Participants will be stationed well away from any permitted hunting areas but may on occasion hear shots from further afield on the property.