Drawing Essentials: Inspired By Nature
Kathleen McKeehen
Class Preview
0:56
- In-depth Instruction; over 172 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Getting Started With Line Drawing
30:25
Meet scientific illustrator Kathleen McKeehen, and start learning the essential skills needed to accurately capture the natural world around you. With Kathleen's guidance, discover how to truly observe your subject as you refine a series of contour drawings. You'll be amazed by the realistic results!
Line Drawings of Complex Shapes
29:40
Develop more control over your line work as you draw an intricate leaf from sketch to final drawing. Using Kathleen's simple measuring technique, learn to create accurate and detailed preliminary sketches. In the process, you'll train your eye to see subtleties in the patterns of the veins and in the shape of the leaves.
Line Drawings of Round Shapes
21:28
Practice capturing the round shape of a mushroom using quick gesture drawings. You'll gain expert tips on fine-tuning these preliminary drawings before transferring the final sketch. Plus, learn how to use different line weights to create an authentic sense of perspective.
Create Form With Shading
23:29
Use light to effectively portray the round, smooth form of an onion. Kathleen shows you how to create a wide range of dark and light values across the surface of the onion using meticulous layering techniques. In addition, you'll learn how to refine your final drawing and add in important details.
Shading Shiny Subjects
29:17
Hone your shading skills by drawing a vibrant green pepper. Use Kathleen's measuring techniques to sketch out the pepper. Work on developing bright highlights, then build up deeper tones and shadows using the continuous tone shading method -- a perfect technique for capturing shiny, smooth surfaces.
Drawing Texture
19:25
Focus on creating varied surface textures as you draw the rough skin of a beet. Practice using a variety of mark-making methods -- crosshatching, stippling and continuous tone -- to realistically portray the beet's dents and grooves. Plus, Kathleen offers expert tips on posing a subject to achieve the best results.
Drawing Delicate Subjects
17:42
Pull from all the techniques you've learned to draw a dainty rose petal. Kathleen gives detailed instruction on creating subtle textures with shading. You'll discover how to reveal the petal's delicate curves and veins using a variety of pencil strokes to emphasize highlights and shadows.
Capture the textures, form and details of organic objects with confidence! Find out how to draw plants with lessons from botanical artist Kathleen McKeehen. Start by applying simple measurement and transfer methods to draw a deeply detailed leaf. Next, illustrate a mushroom while you discover how to depict round objects with accurate perspective and form. Learn to mimic the play of light on a round form as you draw an onion. Then, build valuable shading skills as you sketch a smooth, shiny bell pepper. Layer realistic surface textures while using crosshatching, stippling and continuous tone shading to recreate a beet’s rough skin. Plus, render a rose petal with delicate form and shading so drawing a finely detailed flower isn’t daunting.
Kathleen McKeehen
Kathleen graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz's program in natural science illustration and interned at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England. She has illustrated for museum exhibits, magazines, children's books and educational materials. Her work has been featured in juried shows around the country and in Canada. Kathleen has taught her techniques at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Gage Academy in Seattle and now on Craftsy.
Bonus materials available after purchase