Overview: Learn the fundamentals of field sketching and nature journaling while exploring the gardens of Oak Spring. Participants will discover how to break down the complexity of plants, draw confidently with pen, incorporate watercolor, and record meaningful observations in a perpetual journal. Renowned botanical artist and naturalist Lara Call Gastinger will share the techniques and creative practices she uses to document the natural world, including how to thoughtfully structure journal pages and build a sustainable journaling practice. Lara will also offer insights into her artistic process and sign copies of her new book, A Perpetual Journal Practice.
Participants should bring the following materials:
Journal or sketchbook (or loose paper)
A size 005 Micron pen
Portable watercolors,
Waterbrush
Any personal field supplies needed for working outdoors, such as a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a water bottle
About Lara Call Gastinger:
Lara Call Gastinger is an artist and botanical illustrator from Charlottesville, Virginia, and was the chief illustrator of Flora of Virginia, a botanical reference. She has an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in plant ecology from Virginia Tech. She has been awarded two gold medals (2007, 2018) at the Royal Horticultural Society Botanical Art Show in London and her work is in the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. Her art appears in Peterson Field Guide to Mushrooms of North America and the American Society of Botanical Artists’ Botanical Art Techniques. She teaches online and in person (occasionally as a lecturer at UVA) and has traveled to Japan, Romania, and France to lead workshops. Gastinger is renowned on Instagram for teaching her perpetual journal process.
About Oak Spring Garden Foundation: The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is a philanthropic foundation based at the former primary estate of the late Paul and Rachel Mellon, who were major philanthropists in the U.S. of the arts, humanities, and sciences in the second half of the twentieth century. OSGF is located in the northern Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains region (ca. one-hour drive from Washington, D.C.). Led by Sir Peter Crane, the Foundation’s inaugural President, OSGF provides workshops, short courses and supports residencies for artists and scholars. Its celebrated Library comprises rare books, manuscripts and works of art relating to horticulture, landscape design, botany and natural history. It is becoming a new center of stimulation of all things botanical, from fundamental research in plant evolution and conservation, to horticultural and plant conservation practice, to the history and art of plants, gardens and landscapes.
Photo Release Statement: By attending this event, you consent to your likeness and image being used for ongoing promotional and marketing efforts.
Availability: This workshop will be capped at 12 participants. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis through Zeffy until full.