Denver Botanic
Gardens’ Foundational Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration
PORTFOLIO REVIEW
Guidelines for
students wishing to complete the Portfolio Review for the Foundational
Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration
Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration
After completing all required coursework as outlined
in the document attached, Certificate candidates will prepare and present a
portfolio of finished botanical artwork for review by two off-site specialists.
Please follow and check off the guidelines below as
you begin to prepare your portfolio.
___ 1. Complete all coursework (15 required
courses + minimum of 100 elective credit hours)
___ 2. Request a copy of your transcript from the
Manager of the School of Botanical Art and Illustration (720-865-3653, mervihj@botanicgardens.org).
Preparing Your Foundational
Portfolio - Guidelines for
students
The complete portfolio will contain five (5) finished
botanical plates as follows:
1 Graphite
2 Colored Pencil
3 Pen and Ink
4 Watermedia
5 Artists choice: This can be a
plate in any of the media taught within the program or a combination of
them.
As you select plates to include in your portfolio,
remember that the Portfolio Review is an opportunity to present your highest
level of work in each medium. Please demonstrate your best efforts in
composition, scientific accuracy, artistic ability, and accurate scientific
labeling. Though some of your plates may have been started or completed
during classes, you are encouraged to include work done independently as well.
Your artwork is the focus of the Review.
If you have any questions about the Review process,
please contact the School Manager, Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski at 720-865-3653 or Mervihj@botanicgardens.org. If you have
questions about a particular medium or if you would like to schedule a time to
preview your work with the appropriate instructor, please contact the
instructor directly.
Use these checklists to review your work as you
prepare for the Portfolio Review.
All plates:
___
Ground is appropriate and clean, with no smudges, obvious erasures, bent or
torn edges.
___
Drawing of all subjects is scientifically accurate.
___
Form development is complete and includes a full range of values from light to
dark.
___
Light source is clear and understandable. Highlights are appropriate to the
shape and texture of the plant subject and are consistent throughout the work.
___
Depth overlaps, and atmospheric perspective are clear and effective.
1. Graphite
The completed plate will be executed in graphite,
carbon pencil, Ebony pencils, carbon dust or a combination of these
media. It must be labeled correctly with the scientific name of the plant,
including genus and species. The label may be on the plate or presented
separately.
___ Tonal areas demonstrate smooth and continuous
changes.
___ Form development is complete and includes a full range of values.
___ Form development is complete and includes a full range of values.
___ Line demonstrates appropriate weight and modeling.
___ Detail is accurately rendered and well understood.
2. Colored Pencil
The
completed plate will be executed in colored pencil, which may included wax or oil pencils. It must be labeled correctly with the scientific name of
the plant, including genus and species. The label may be on the plate or
presented separately.
___
Colors are accurate to the subject and demonstrate effective color layering
with smooth application and color transitions.
___
Form is well represented in color with accurate hue and tonal changes and a full range of values.
___
Texture accurately represented with appropriate hue and tonal changes.
3. Pen and Ink
The
completed plate will be executed in Pen and Ink including line, eyelashing, snodgrassing and stipple. It must be labeled correctly
with the scientific name of the plant, including genus and species. The label
may be on the plate or presented separately.
___
Line quality is clean and even, with smooth line width transitions when using
snodgrassing and eyelashing. Contour and modeling lines are used accurately.
___
Stipple (and any other techniques which include scumbling and
mixed strokes) are used effectively to portray form and texture. Stipple
is produced with appropriate dot size, round shape and clear spacing.
4. Watermedia
The
completed plate will be executed in watercolor, gouache or transparent
acrylics. It must be labeled correctly with the scientific name of the
plant, including genus and species. The label may be on the plate or presented
separately.
___
Color is accurate to subject and demonstrates effective color mixing.
___
Transitions and integration of color is apparent and well modulated.
___
Hard and soft edges are used effectively to portray texture and form. Hard
edges should be clean
and crisp.
___
Form development is complete and includes a full range of values.
5. Artists Choice
This
is your opportunity to select another piece in a favorite medium or to combine
media for a new effect. You will still want to meet the highest possible
standard with this piece. It must be labeled correctly with the scientific
name, including genus and species. The label may be on the plate or presented
separately.
___
Color or tone is accurate to subject.
___
Medium is used well, with smooth application, well managed transitional areas,
and accurate hue and tonal changes needed for form.
___
Texture is well represented with accurate tone/color, form and detail.