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We are pleased to partner
with Acteva.com to offer convenient, secure
online registrations for field seminars.
Acteva is a low-cost e-commerce solution
that allows nonprofits to conduct online
transactions, without the expense of setting
up a full e-commerce site. If you would
like to take advantage of online registration,
you will see a "Register Now"
button (like the one below) at the end
of each seminar description. Just click
on it to register. A minimal processing
fee will be charged.

You can also call us to register for classes at (415) 663.1200 ext. 373 or click here to print a registration form that you can mail or fax to us.

Joan Hoffmann
Saturday, March 13 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
Draw and paint like the Masters to give your work the illusion of reality! Learn how to see, draw and paint with a vanishing point and when to foreshorten objects. Drawing with perspective and scaling objects will make your paintings look as real as Cezanne’s! During the morning session, we’ll follow along with Joan’s step-by-step demonstrations. The afternoon will be spent working outdoors, and will culminate in an insightful critique session at the end of class. All levels of skill are welcome, as are all mediums—pencils, watercolor, oil, mixable oils and acrylics.
There is still time to register for this class by calling (415) 663-1200 ext. 373.

Birgit O’Connor
Saturday, March 20 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
In a watercolor painting, the white elements are created by the absence of color. A different way to approach this process is by creating a background first to determine where the flower will be, or by using minimal colors. Join Birgit to learn how to paint a white flower by using clean water and very little pigment. We will work with simple exercises to help us become familiar with the techniques. After practicing, we will create paintings by using simple shapes, depth and shadow. Some knowledge of watercolor is helpful, but beginners are also welcome.


Joan Hoffmann
Saturday, April 3 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
Turn your favorite photos of family and friends into paintings! During the morning session, we will cover basic portrait painting skills, including scaling the figure, seeing the figure’s shadow pattern, and placing it in the landscape. You’ll learn how to “see” the figure, gesture or face and translate it into paint, and by the afternoon, you will have painted a portrait! No previous painting experience is necessary, as Joan will offer support and insightful critiques applicable to students of all levels. All mediums welcome—watercolor, oil, mixable oils and acrylics.


Birgit O’Connor
Saturday, April 10 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
One of the natural highlights in the park during early spring is the abundance of wild Douglas iris. Working with sketches Birgit provides, we will use the inspiration of the season to create paintings full of vibrancy. Birgit will demonstrate how to control the application of watercolor and provide guidance on interpreting the petals. There will also be instruction on how to create the leaves, shadows and backgrounds to give your paintings depth. We will practice creating the illusion of soft, natural veins within the flower without adding every detail. Painters of all abilities are welcome, but some knowledge of watercolor is helpful.


Carol Grant Hart
April 16-18 • 7 PM Fri - 4 PM Sun • $225 ($210 members)
Join us for this weekend-long basketry workshop and immerse yourself in the history, culture and design of the enduring market basket. Then, make one to use and pass on to children and grandchildren. The basket we will make is inspired by a European market basket. On Friday evening, we will discuss the advantages of different basket shapes and materials, and look at pictures and samples in preparation for making our basket. We will also begin the base of the market basket at that time. We’ll do most of the weaving on Saturday, and on Sunday we’ll secure the rim and add the handle. If we have extra time, a second base can be made to reinforce the process and to launch you on your way to making an additional basket, perhaps to give to someone special as a holiday gift. Class fee includes most materials, and at the end of class, unused materials will be divided among those who would like to continue with a second basket on their own. At the market, beach and library, you will turn heads with your stylish basket and eco-hipness! Accommodations included at the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center.


Ane Carla Rovetta
Saturday, April 24 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
Point Reyes is a wonderland of forest. During this day of discovery, we will make intimate observations and light-hearted representations of the most common species of trees on the peninsula. Not only will Ane Carla guide your art endeavors, she will also share the stories, anatomical insights and natural history of the Bishop pines, Douglas firs, Bay and Cypress that we encounter. Bring your favorite medium to work with, or use some of the hand-made charcoal the instructor will provide.


Birgit O’Connor
May 1-2 • 9 AM Sat - 4 PM Sun • $200 ($185 members)
Join us for a weekend of watercolor painting that combines two of Birgit’s most popular classes—Atmospheric Landscapes and Waves & Water. Learn how to capture the essence and feeling of a landscape by simplifying. We’ll practice creating colorful, sweeping, atmospheric skies and uncomplicated landscapes for paintings full of feeling. As the weather permits, we may work outside, painting small thumbnails, returning indoors to work on larger pieces. Birgit will walk us through some simple visual exercises and you’ll learn about paper surfaces, water usage, brushes, charts and washes. Practice keeping your colors clean, gain an understanding of value changes, and work on creating smooth, even washes. Birgit will provide sketches to work with, but bring your favorite simple landscape photographs, too. Accommodations, with optional Friday evening arrival, are included at the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center.


Linda Ann Vorobik
Sunday, May 2 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
Please note, this date has changed since the printing of the winter brochure.
Join professional botanist and botanical artist Linda Ann Vorobik for a day of drawing plants—revelling in their beauty, understanding their structure and learning the basic techniques to speed up and improve your drawing skills. Linda will teach basic artistic techniques, such as visualizing and correctly depicting time, shape, arcs and angles, as well as shading to show three-dimensionality. In addition, she will demonstrate procedures for creating a final botanical image in pen and ink. This class is designed for all skill levels, as Linda’s goal will be to increase students’ knowledge and abilities, regardless of their level of skill. Beginners will be gently encouraged, while more advanced students are welcome to share their knowledge with the rest of the class.

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Linda Ann Vorobik
May 7 - 9 • 7 PM Fri - 4 PM Sun • $185 ($170 members)
Take pencil drawings of flowers to their final form with pen & ink, watercolor, or a combination of the two. During this weekend of art, nature and camaraderie, Linda will teach these media through a series of step-by-step exercises that will enable students to acquire a pleasing result with their artwork. We will begin on Friday night with a slide presentation that will enhance our knowledge of plant structure and anatomy, and describe the processes of using pen & ink or watercolor to finish botanical illustrations. On Saturday, Linda will provide plenty of demonstrations and work with students individually. Our convenient and beautiful location in a secluded valley in the heart of the Seashore will allow us to step right outside our door for short walks to view plants in their natural setting. Sunday will find us finishing our pieces, and will culminate in a group showing of our work and concluding thoughts from Linda. Accommodations included at the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center.


Patti Trimble
Saturday, May 15 • 9:30 AM - 4 PM • $85 ($80 members)
During this day of reflection and words, we’ll let nature teach us. The creeks, hills, trees and wildlife of Point Reyes will help us fall away from our usual way of thinking. We’ll write, share our ideas and words, and enjoy periods of quiet observation. Patti will guide us through some short writing activities that will help you develop attention to the natural world and the wisdom it holds. We’ll also explore how language shapes the way we view ourselves and nature. You’ll return home with some surprising new work! The pace will be relaxed and the class is open to writers of all levels.


Joan Hoffmann
Saturday, May 22 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
Spring is here and the trees are blooming. Join us to study the patterns of these delicate blossoms by drawing and painting them in the tradition of Chinese art. Bring the medium you like to paint with, or come just to draw. Beginning to experienced students will enjoy the freedom they will experience by translating simple blossom, branch and twig patterns to paper and canvas. The great Chinese masters, as well as western artists from van Gogh to Mary Cassatt, have enjoyed painting these beautiful patterns in nature.


Patti Trimble and Susan Bono
June 4 - 6 • 7 PM Fri - 4 PM Sun • $185 ($170 members)
Time for our annual foray, away from city lights and highways, into the wilderness of words! This retreat is for anyone who enjoys writing about—or in—nature. Now in its sixth year, the retreat has an easy pace. Short workshops on poetry and essay will be interspersed with friendly discussions and readings of our work to share our insights into the natural world. Best of all, there will be plenty of time to work individually as well as to wander around the beautiful natural landscape surrounding us. As a special treat, there will be short readings by some local nature writers that will inspire our work. There will be new experiences for those returning, and a warm welcome for newcomers. Accommodations included at the Education Center.


Joan Hoffmann
Saturday, June 12 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
Learn to paint one of Monet’s masterpieces in a warm and supportive setting filled with natural light. Joan will demonstrate techniques for using strong color and then to add the secret touch by putting lavender in the shadows. All great artists began by studying the masters and now you can, too! Joan’s step-by-step demonstrations will help you to see nature’s beauty through new eyes.


Birgit O'Connor
Saturday, June 26 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
In this watercolor class, we’ll focus on simplifying flowers as we create petals and folds. Through Birgit’s demonstrations, learn how to create large washes on petals, layering techniques and the building of color for intensity, volume, depth and drama. She will also guide short exercises on color blending and wet-into-wet techniques, and there will be lots of time for practice. Painters of all levels will find this class informative and inspiring.


Joan Hoffmann
Saturday, July 24 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
Gather a pencil and note pad in a day pack and explore and record nature’s bounty. During this day of art in the field, Joan will demonstrate how to quickly record notes of all we see in nature—flowers, trees, wind and water. Fill your journal or note pad with impressions from a day’s exploration. The experience you will gain in this class will enhance all your future travels. This class is easy and fun, and is perfect for beginning or advanced artists. Bring a friend and enjoy the day together with fellow art enthusiasts. Explore Point Reyes with an artist’s touch!


Joan Hoffmann
Saturday, August 21 • 9 AM - 4 PM • $95 ($90 members)
Learn to paint in the Chinese aesthetic tradition using balance. Feng Shui translates as wind and water, and what better location than Point Reyes to see the balance in nature. Joan will demonstrate simple design patterns that you can use to make great compositions. In the Western tradition, we use a horizon line to balance our compositions. In the Eastern tradition, the balance comes to the eye through patterns. We will do exercises in the morning that will help us understand design and composition. In the afternoon, Joan will to guide you as you paint individually. Painters of all levels are welcome to join this class.


Birgit O'Connor
August 28 - 29 • 9 AM Sat - 4 PM Sun • $200 ($185 members)
Have you ever dreamed of painting some of the fascinating and beautiful old structures that are a quintessential element of the Point Reyes Landscape? During this weekend of painting in both the classroom and the field, we’ll gain inspiration by visiting the historic Pierce Point Ranch at the northern tip of the Point Reyes peninsula overlooking the mouth of Tomales Bay. This ranch and the area surrounding it is a wonderful venue to view the blending of architecture, history and landscape. The bold shapes of the buildings are perfect subjects, even for beginners. We will simplify the shapes and look at the shadows to learn how to build depth and gently incorporate the landscape. On Saturday morning, Birgit’s demonstrations will show you how to create a small, simple on-site landscape. In the afternoon, we’ll travel by car out to Pierce Point to do small paintings and thumbnail sketches. You will be encouraged to take photos of the ranch and its surroundings to serve as reference material for your work back in the studio. On Sunday, we’ll continue to work from the sketches and photos we created on-site. Accommodations, with optional Friday evening arrival, are included at the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center.

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March 9, 2010
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