Winter Specimens in Pen

Overview:

Join Lara Call Gastinger to learn basic pen techniques gathered from inspiration drawn from collected winter specimens across the landscape and formal garden at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation.

The day will begin by practicing basic pen skills. Participants will focus on simple shaped specimens like leaves before moving towards more complicated specimens like round nuts, berries, and textured milkweed pods. In the afternoon while continuing to work on pen drawings and compositions, participants will incorporate collected specimens from the gardens.

Eligibility:

Though not necessary, some previous drawing experience is helpful for this workshop.

Please note, this event does not include a formal site tour and artists will not have access to any other location outside of the provided classroom space, formal garden and surrounding landscape.

What to Bring:

• Sakura Micron pen size 005 (black or sepia ink)
• 9 x 12, 11 x 14 or similar sized hot press paper (at least 140 lb)
• HB or F penciltrace paper

Complimentary Items: A boxed lunch will be provided. When purchasing ticket(s) for lunch, you will select either:

1) A turkey sandwich

Or

2) A gluten-free, vegan option

Exact menus will be determined closer to the date of the event. All lunches will include a small side such as a fruit salad, or chips. Please note that unfortunately, we can not accommodate specific dietary needs. If you have dietary restrictions and are unable to eat the provided lunch, please plan to pack a sack lunch.

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 "Bunny" 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 event will be capped at 14 participants. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis through Eventbrite until full.

Header Image: Elm Leaf Pen by Lara Call Gastinger

is an artist and botanical illustrator from Charlottesville, Virginia and was the chief illustrator of the Flora of Virginia, a botanical reference book. She has her 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 shows in London and her work is in the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. Her artwork appears in the latest Peterson's Field Guide to Mushrooms and American Society of Botanical Artists Botanical Art Techniques Handbook.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Oak Spring Garden Foundation | Apple House, 1776 Loughborough Lane, Upperville, United States