Workshops
Using her B.S. Degree in Art Education from Florida International University, Hillary has been teaching for 35 years, helping students to reach their artistic goals. Her professional approach to art education is both effective and very successful, enabling students to gain confidence while enjoying the process of developing and then building upon strong foundation skills in graphite and watercolors.
Presenting courses ranging from novice to master class level, Hillary teaches internationally and shares with each student a strong knowledge of subject and a passion for art & nature, while giving them the opportunity to see and artistically respond to the natural world around them in a whole new way.
Calendar Of Workshops and Classes
2025
JULY 26-27
NATURE JOURNALING
PARTNERING WITH GLACIER INSTITUTE
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
Nature Journaling is a wonderful way to connect to the great outdoors while expressing your artistic side! Join Hillary for this fun and engaging course that encourages you to become more present and connected to your surroundings, as you discover, identify, respond, reflect and record your thoughts, feelings and observations freely, in creative ways. Students will learn basic skills in observation, journaling, drawing and watercolor techniques, while focusing on all aspects of nature and will be working outdoors throughout various locations in Glacier National Park. No previous art experience is necessary, just bring your love of nature and creative curiosity! All professional grade art supplies will be provided for use for the duration of this course, and you will receive a beautiful Moleskin watercolor journal at the beginning of the course for you to work in each day and to keep. Light-moderate hiking on trails and working on location outdoors will take place each day with an overnight stay at Glacier Institute Field Camp.
JULY 17
INTRODUCTION TO NATURE JOURNALING WITH GLACIER INSTITUTE
PARTNERING WITH GLACIER INSTITUTE
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
Nature Journaling is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of Glacier National Park, while learning how to become more present and connected to your surroundings. Join Hillary for this fun and engaging course that introduces you to Nature Journaling where you will learn new skills to combine words and sketches to sharpen your observation and foster a deeper connection to the natural world. No previous art experience is necessary, just bring your love of nature and creative curiosity! Basic skills in keen observation, journaling, and sketching techniques will be shared and practiced as we take a light-moderate hike along a beautiful trail, stopping often to discover, identify, respond and record your thoughts, feelings and observations freely, in creative ways. All professional grade art supplies will be provided for use for the duration of this course, and you will receive a pocket journal at the beginning of the course for you to work in and to keep.
JULY 12-13
WILDFLOWERS IN WATERCOLORS
PARTNERING WITH GLACIER INSTITUTE
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
Join Hillary parker for this fun and creative course that focuses on the breathtaking blooming meadows and trails in Glacier National Park to inspire students to create field studies and botanical watercolors. With a new understanding of what supplies an artist needs and how to use them in the field, students will engage a heightened awareness and curiosity to learn how to observe, identify, record, sketch and paint wildflowers as they respond to their natural surroundings in an artistic way. Light-moderate hiking on wildflower trails and working on location outdoors will take place each day with an overnight stay at Glacier Institute Field Camp.
FEBRUARY – MAY (SPRING SESSION)
CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES
BOTANICAL WATERCOLORS FEB. 4 – MAR. 18 (SOLD OUT)
BOTANICAL WATERCOLORS FEB. 6 – MAR. 20 (SOLD OUT)
BASIC DRAWING FEB. 5 – MAR. 19 (SOLD OUT)
BASIC DRAWING APR. 2 – MAY 14
NATURE JOURNALING APR. 1 – MAY 20
FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE KALISPELL, MONTANA
FEBRUARY - MAY
THE ART OF NATURE
ART PROGRAM AT THE SKOLA
2024
AUGUST 10-11
PLEIN AIR SKETCHING AND WATERCOLORS
PARTNERING WITH GLACIER INSTITUTE
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
Join master naturalist and international award-winning watercolor artist Hillary Parker, for a fun and educational two-day workshop that offers group and one-on-one instruction, drawing/painting demonstrations and practical experience for those who want to learn how to create quick, beautiful watercolor studies, while working on location outdoors. Students of all skill levels will be working both indoors and outdoors in a studio setting, as well as at various locations throughout Glacier National Park, sketching and painting detailed studies with pen and ink, while learning how to punctuate with color, using just the right amount of loose watercolor washes. Each student will be provided with their own pocket-sized, leather bound Moleskin watercolor sketchbook in which to visually record their experiences to take home at the end of the course and all art supplies will be provided for the duration of the course.
JULY 20-21
WILDFLOWERS IN WATERCOLORS
PARTNERING WITH GLACIER INSTITUTE
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
The focus of this course is to use the blooming meadows and trails in Glacier National Park to inspire students to create field studies and botanical watercolor studies. With a new understanding of what supplies an artist needs and how to use them in the field, students will engage a heightened awareness and curiosity to learn how to observe, identify, record, sketch and paint wildflowers as they respond to their natural surroundings in an artistic way. This two-day course takes place in Glacier National Park and we will be staying overnight in the Park at the Glacier Institute Field Camp.
JUNE 20, 27, JULY 26, AUG 1
FISH CAMP ART PROGRAM AT IRON HORSE GOLF CLUB
WHITEFISH, MONTANA
APRIL 2 - MAY 9 (SPRING SESSION)
WHS CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES
BOTANICAL WATERCOLORS AND INTRO TO CERAMICS
WHITEFISH, MONTANA
FEBRUARY 8 – MARCH 13 (WINTER SESSION)
WHS CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES
BOTANICAL WATERCOLORS AND INTRO TO CERAMICS
WHITEFISH, MONTANA
2023
OCTOBER – DECEMBER (FALL SESSION)
WHS CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES
BOTANICAL WATERCOLORS AND INTRO TO CERAMICS
WHITEFISH, MONTANA
JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH
Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
PLEIN AIR AND BOTANICAL WATERCOLOR WORKSHOPS
CONTACT: Katie Jacobs
2022
DECEMBER
preservation foundation of palm beach
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
PLEIN AIR AND BOTANICAL WATERCOLOR WORKSHOPS
CONTACT: Katie Jacobs
JANUARY 22, 29 FEBRUARY 5 & 12
preservation foundation of palm beach
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
BOTANICAL DRAWING WORKSHOP
Join Hillary Parker for a fun and engaging 4-day watercolor workshop that offers clear instruction, effective demonstrations and practical experience for those beginners as well as advanced watercolor artists. A comprehensive understanding of how this medium works, as well as various washes and dry brush techniques will be practiced in preparation for creating a botanical watercolor study, inspired by the lush Florida Native landscape in Pan’s Garden.
CONTACT: Katie Jacobs
2021
DECEMBER 4&11
preservation foundation of palm beach
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
BOTANICAL DRAWING WORKSHOP
Join Hillary Parker for a fun and informative two-day drawing workshop that covers the basics of quick outdoor sketching as well as concentrated detailed drawings for beginners and advanced artists alike. Using the natural beauty of Pan’s Garden for inspiration, students work outdoors to build their observation and drawing skills with the support of discussions, demos and one-on-one guidance, while learning to sketch landscapes and draw detailed flowers with comfort and ease! Techniques about how to create drawings in preparation for painting with watercolors will also be shared for those students interested in attending Hillary’s botanical watercolor workshop in the Spring. All skill levels are welcome, so come join the fun!
CONTACT: Katie Jacobs
FEBRUARY 20, 2021
preservation foundation of palm beach
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
PLEIN AIR WATERCOLOR JOURNALING
Join international award-winning watercolor artist Hillary Parker, for a fun and informative one day workshop that offers instruction and practical experience for those who want to learn how to create quick, beautiful watercolor studies, while working outdoors.
For those who love to travel, this class is an ideal opportunity to learn to sketch and paint while on location. Students of all skill levels will be working at various locations throughout the beautiful grounds here at the Preservation Foundation, sketching and painting detailed studies with pen and ink, while learning how to punctuate color with just the right amount of loose watercolor washes.
Each student will be provided with their own pocket sized, leather bound Moleskin watercolor sketchbook in which to work.
CONTACT: Katie Jacobs
FEBRUARY 20, 2021 (5-7pm)
PRESERVATION FOUNDATION OF PALM BEACH
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
WILDLY EXQUISITE; SIP & SEE WINE RECEPTION AND EXHIBIT TOUR
Enjoy a glass of wine while joining international award-winning botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker for an informative tour of the Wildly Exquisite Botanical Art Exhibit, currently on display here at the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.
As one of the jurors for this exhibit, Hillary will share her first hand knowledge from 30 years of painting and exhibiting experience, about the challenging and fascinating process of painting botanical watercolors with scientific accuracy, as well as engage the group in lively discussion, as she shares how to appreciate and analyze art in 4 simple steps.
CONTACT: Katie Jacobs
MARCH 13, 7 & 20, 2021
PALM BEACH PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
CAPTURING THE BEAUTY OF BOTANICALS IN WATERCOLORS
Join international award-winning botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker, for a fun and informative two-day botanical watercolor workshop, which is open to all skill levels for students wanting to develop and build upon their drawing and watercolor skills.
Students will have the opportunity to be inspired as they tour the current botanical art exhibit, Wildly Exquisite, and then focus on creating informative and delicate botanical studies in graphite and watercolors, of the lush and colorful plant life among the surrounding gardens of the Preservation Foundation.
Demonstrations, discussions, and individual instruction will challenge students to develop, build upon, and master essential skills in observation, drawing, composition and watercolor techniques such as washes, glazes and dry brush detail work.
CONTACT: Katie Jacobs
MARCH 29-30, 2021
ANDERSON FINE ART GALLERY
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA
PLEIN AIR WATERCOLOR JOURNALING WORKSHOP
Join international award-winning watercolor artist Hillary Parker, for a fun and informative 2-day workshop that offers lots of instruction and practical experience for those who want to learn how to create quick, beautiful watercolor studies while working outdoors.
This class is ideal for those who have always wanted to learn to sketch and paint on location while traveling. Students of all skill levels will be working at various locations throughout St Simons Island, sketching and painting detailed studies with pen and ink and learning how to punctuate with just the right amount of loose watercolor washes, in portable, pocket size watercolor sketchbooks.
While capturing light, form, textures and colors, students will have the opportunity to focus on a broad range of subjects including landscapes, botanicals, animals, architecture, seascapes and skyscapes, as we record and respond visually to our beautiful surroundings and take a relaxing mid-day break in the shade each day to enjoy a catered picnic lunch on location.
CONTACT: Mary Anderson
JUNE 26, 2021
IRISH SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ARTISTS
DUBLIN, IRE
ISBA ONLINE COMPOSITION WORKSHOP
JULY 19-30, 2021
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS
BOOTHBAY, MAINE
TWO NATURE ILLUSTRATION KIDS CAMPS
Join Hillary Parker as we explore the wetlands and shore line of the back River at the gardens, Students will discover and collect plant and animal life to observe in our outdoor classroom. A portfolio of nature illustrations will be completed in watercolors and colored pencil and shared at the end of camp with a reception and presentation for family and friends.
Join Hillary Parker as we explore the gardens, woodland areas, and coastline while interpreting the artwork of famous outdoor environmental artists. Students will create their own environmental sculptures inspired by Andy Goldsworthy and Patrick Dougherty. Their beautiful works will be shared at the end of camp with a reception and presentation for family and friends.
CONTACT: Erika Huber
AUGUST 2-4, 2021
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS
BOOTHBAY, MAINE
AQUATIC BOTANICAL WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
Join naturalist and botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker for a fascinating 3-day botanical watercolor workshop that focuses on the bounty of submerged plant life growing along the rocky shoreline of Coastal Maine Botanical Garden’s Back River.
This Sheepscot River tributary is home to a diversity of seaweeds and kelp species that grow in the brackish and salt water, just waiting for us to discover and paint! Students will be walking at low tide, along the shore of the Back River to explore and harvest these fascinating underwater plants, before returning to the outdoor open air studio to observe, identify, sketch and create beautiful botanical watercolor studies of the local varieties of seaweeds and kelp.
Effective observation, drawing, composition, and watercolor techniques will be discussed and demonstrated as each student works independently at their own level to build upon their foundation skills and apply them to their paintings.
CONTACT: Caroline Davis
2019
MARCH 29-30, 2019
ANDERSON FINE ART GALLERY - ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA
PLEIN AIR WATERCOLOR JOURNALING WORKSHOP
Join Hillary Parker for a fun and informative two-day drawing workshop that covers the basics of quick outdoor sketching as well as concentrated detailed drawings for beginners and advanced artists alike. Using the natural beauty of Pan’s Garden for inspiration, students work outdoors to build their observation and drawing skills with the support of discussions, demos and one-on-one guidance, while learning to sketch landscapes and draw detailed flowers with comfort and ease! Techniques about how to create drawings in preparation for painting with watercolors will also be shared for those students interested in attending Hillary’s botanical watercolor workshop in the Spring. All skill levels are welcome, so come join the fun!
CONTACT: Katie Jacobs
JULY 1-5 and 8-12, 2019
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS – BOOTHBAY, MAINE
NATURE ILLUSTRATION CAMP FOR KIDS
Does your child love to draw and have an appreciation for birds, bugs and/or butterflies? Naturalist and international award winning botanical watercolor artist, Hillary Parker, will be returning this summer to teach two weeks of theme-based Nature Illustration Camps.
Setting out daily to sketch and paint on location throughout the Gardens, students will develop a strong foundation of observation, drawing, and painting skills while creating a portfolio of botanical studies and natural science illustrations using pencil, pen and ink, colored pencil, and watercolors.
On the last day of camp, family and friends will be invited to an art reception where our young artists will share their work and present their experiences as naturalists, botanists and artists! All art supplies are included with this camp.
CONTACT: www.mainegardens.org
JULY 15-17, 2019
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDEN - BOOTHBAY, MAINE
FERNS AND FIDDLEHEADS WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
Join naturalist and botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker for a fascinating workshop that explores the fern’s life cycle and ecology, growing throughout the Gardens, which are among some of the 13,000 species that have been growing on our planet for over 300 million years!
This fun and informative 3-day class is great for all students with previous drawing and watercolor experience and focuses on creating delicate botanical watercolor studies of the components that make up its structure, including the fiddle heads, fronds, rhizomes, roots, sporangia and spores.
Students will be working at their own level and challenged individually to develop, build upon and master skills in keen observation, effective drawing, deliberate composition and detailed watercolor techniques.
CONTACT: www.mainegardens.org
JULY 31-AUGUST 2, 2019
THE BASCOM: CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS - HIGHLANDS, NC
PAINTING HIGHLANDS GARDENS BOTANICAL WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
Be inspired by the fragrant summer flowers in bloom as we join international award-winning naturalist and botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker for her 3- day watercolor workshop!
This fun and challenging workshop is open to all skill levels for students with previous drawing and watercolor experience. Students use the surrounding gardens and flower beds throughout the beautiful Bascom grounds to observe and sketch “plein air style” outdoors and then collect plants in bloom to focus on as we move back into the studio to create informative, delicate botanical studies in graphite and watercolors.
Demonstrations, discussions, and individual instruction will challenge students to develop, build upon, and master essential skills in observation, drawing, composition and watercolor techniques such as washes, glazes and dry brush detail work.
CONTACT: www.thebascom.org or call (828) 526-4949
2018
JULY 2-6 and 9-13
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS – BOOTHBAY MAINE
NATURE ILLUSTRATION CAMP FOR KIDS
Does your child love to draw and have an appreciation for birds, bugs and/or butterflies? Naturalist and international award winning botanical watercolor artist, Hillary Parker, will be returning this summer to teach two weeks of theme-based Nature Illustration Camps (see theme descriptions below).
Setting out daily to sketch and paint on location throughout the Gardens, students will develop a strong foundation of observation, drawing, and painting skills while creating a portfolio of botanical studies and natural science illustrations using pencil, pen and ink, colored pencil, and watercolors.
On the last day of camp, family and friends will be invited to an art reception where our young artists will share their work and present their experiences as naturalists, botanists and artists! All art supplies are included with this camp
CONTACT: www.mainegardens.org
JULY 16-18
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS – BOOTHBAY MAINE
CAPTURING BUTTERFLIES IN WATERCOLORS
Join naturalist and international award winning botanical artist Hillary Parker for a fabulous 3-day watercolor workshop, offering a unique opportunity to observe, draw, and paint the mysterious beauties, living in CMBG's new butterfly house!
Open to all artists with basic drawing and watercolor experience, students will develop, buils upon and master effective graphite and watercolor skills, including washes and dry brush detail techniques, to create and compose delicate, informative studies that include stages of transformation, host & feeder plants, and accurate anatomy of a butterfly.
CONTACT: www.mainegardens.org
JUNE 6-8
THE BASCOM: CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS – Highlands, North Carolina
GONE WILD! Smokey Mountain Wildflowers in Watercolors
Be inspired by the colorful wildflowers of the Smokey Mountains and come join international award-winning naturalist and botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker for her 3- day workshop focusing on nature's wild beauties! This fun and challenging workshop is open to all skill levels for students with previous drawing and watercolor experience.
Students explore Bascom’s Nature Trail observing, sketching and collecting wildflowers in bloom to focus on back in the studio, creating informative, delicate botanical studies in graphite and watercolors.
Demonstrations, discussions, and individual instruction will challenge students to develop, build upon, and master essential skills in observation, drawing, composition and watercolor techniques such as washes, glazes and dry brush detail work.
CONTACT: www.thebascom.org or call (828) 526-4949
2017
NOVEMBER 8-9
WATERFOWL FESTIVAL – EASTON MARYLAND
FLIGHTS OF FANCY
Join Hillary Parker for a fun and informative two-day drawing workshop that covers the basics of quick outdoor sketching as well as concentrated detailed drawings for beginners and advanced artists alike. Using the natural beauty of Pan’s Garden for inspiration, students work outdoors to build their observation and drawing skills with the support of discussions, demos and one-on-one guidance, while learning to sketch landscapes and draw detailed flowers with comfort and ease! Techniques about how to create drawings in preparation for painting with watercolors will also be shared for those students interested in attending Hillary’s botanical watercolor workshop in the Spring. All skill levels are welcome, so come join the fun!
CONTACT: Katie Jacobs
OCTOBER 2-6
ART ASSOCIATION OF JACKSON HOLE – JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING
THE ART OF NATURE: AN AUTUMN BOTANICAL & NATURLA HISTORY WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
Join international award winning botanical watercolor artist and naturalist, Hillary Parker, for a fun and engaging 5 day workshop that focuses on the colorful autumn flora and fauna living throughout the Grand Tetons!
This comprehensive workshop is open to all levels of drawing and watercolor experience, as Hillary uses her passion for art and nature to encourage and guide her students to develop and strengthen their keen observation skills, effective drawing skills, and detailed watercolor techniques.
Students will be creating beautiful nature studies in graphite and watercolors of indigenous treasures such as local plants, wild flowers, pumpkins, autumn leaves, feathers, wildlife, etc.
The majority of this informative workshop will take place in the studio, with an exciting field trip to Grand Teton National Park that will be scheduled for one of the days, offering students an opportunity to explore, sketch and paint on location, plein air style.
CONTACT: www.artassociation.org or call (307) 733-6379
SEPTEMBER 22-24
ACADEMY ART MUSEUM – WYE MILLS, MARYLAND
BOTANICAL WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
Hillary Parker returns this fall for an exciting 3-day workshop, that explores the foundations of botanical watercolors.
Whether you are a novice looking to get started, have taken her workshop last fall, or are already an experienced artist looking for a unique and different approach, this fun and comprehensive course uses the abundant resources of local and indigenous plant life for inspiration.
Students are challenged to strengthen and reinforce their keen observation and drawing skills as they focus on developing, building upon, and mastering watercolor painting techniques that include washes, glazes, textures, and fine line detail work.
CONTACT: www.academyartmuseum.org or call (410) 822-2787
SEPTEMBER 18-20
BALTIMORE WATERCOLOR SOCIETY – BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
BOTANICAL WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
Join Hillary Parker for an exciting 3-day workshop exploring the concepts, skills and techniques for a controlled and detailed approach to painting botanical watercolors.
Whether you are a novice or experienced artist looking for a refresher, this effective and informative course allows everyone to paint at their own skill level with the guidance of Hillary’s demonstrations and individual attention.
Students will focus on the process of building 3-D form and accurate colors using washes, glazes, fine line work, and dry brush detailing to effectively create delicate, accurate botanical studies.
JULY 17-18
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS – BOOTHBAY MAINE
GONE WILD: MAINE WILDFLOWERS IN WATERCOLORS
Be inspired by Maine's bounty of wildflowers and come join award-winning naturalist and botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker for her 2- day workshop focusing on nature's "roadside beauties"!
This fun and challenging workshop is open to all skill levels for students with previous drawing and watercolor experience.
Students will create informative and delicate botanical studies using graphite and watercolors, while also being challenged to develop, build upon, and master skills in observation, drawing, composition and watercolor techniques such as washes and dry brush detail work.
JULY 3-14
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS – BOOTHBAY MAINE
NATURE ILLUSTRATION CAMP FOR KIDS
Does your child love to draw and have an appreciation for birds, bugs and/or butterflies? Naturalist and international award winning botanical watercolor artist, Hillary Parker, will be returning this summer to teach two weeks of theme-based Nature Illustration Camps (see theme descriptions below).
Setting out daily to sketch and paint on location throughout the Gardens, students will develop a strong foundation of observation, drawing, and painting skills while creating a portfolio of botanical studies and natural science illustrations using pencil, pen and ink, colored pencil, and watercolors.
On the last day of camp, family and friends will be invited to an art reception where our young artists will share their work and present their experiences as naturalists, botanists and artists! All art supplies are included with this camp.
Week 1, July 3-7
Bugs, Blooms and Butterflies - Students will put their investigative skills to work as they collect, study and illustrate some of the smallest critters living in our gardens and the flowers and plants they depend on. Students will also get up close and personal with the Monarch butterflies we are raising at the Gardens.
Week 2, July 10-14
Birds at the Gardens - From songbirds to seabirds and everything in between, students will spend the week becoming familiar with and learning to illustrate the birds that frequent our gardens, forests and tidal river. Using real life bird specimens, such as feathers, bones, skulls and even feet, students will also illustrate some of the unique traits that birds depend on for survival. A special visit from three live owls will provide further inspiration for the week.
JANUARY 14, 2017
WELLESLEY COLLEGE BOTANIC GARDENS – WELLESLEY, MA
MASTERING WASHES
This one-day intensive workshop is ideal for students at every level of watercolor painting skill and experience and covers the most important and fundamental watercolor technique, WASHES!
Knowing instinctively how much water and pigment to apply, as well as where and when, eliminates anxiety and frustration as students have fun creating layered washes, rolling washes, and practice building form, texture and details thru washes.
Hillary’s demonstrations, analysis & troubleshooting, as well as individual guidance throughout the day, offers students the opportunity to strengthen foundation skills and find ease and confidence as they master the ever-elusive wash.
JANUARY 10-12, 2017
WELLESLEY COLLEGE BOTANIC GARDENS – WELLESLEY, MA
EXPRESSING YOUR ARTISTIC VOICE THROUGH COMPOSITION
This comprehensive workshop is ideal for students with intermediate to advanced drawing skills and takes a look at composition as a process that begins before the first stroke of the pencil ever touches the paper.
Through fascinating exercises and assignments that challenge thinking in a more abstract way, students engage their keen observation skills and effective drawing skills to interpret the plant’s true nature and capture its vitality with scientific accuracy, freeing them from the limits of merely imitating their subject.
This approach allows new opportunities for students to identify and express their individual artistic voice through their work.
JANUARY 12, 2017
WELLESLEY COLLEGE BOTANIC GARDENS – WELLESLEY, MA
WINE AND WATERCOLORS - A Social Sip and Paint Art Event with Hillary Parker
This event is for everyone, including those closet artists wanting a little “liquid courage” to pick up a paint brush for the first time! Grab your friends, bring your spouses and come join international award-winning botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker for one of her social and educational art parties!
With contagious enthusiasm and a passion for painting and teaching , she encourages her guests to enjoy some wine, meet new friends, and have fun learning some easy basics to creating simple and successful watercolor paintings.
2016
NOVEMBER 9-10
WATERFOWL FESTIVAL – EASTON MARYLAND
FLIGHTS OF FANCY
Join Hillary Parker, naturalist and international award-winning watercolor artist, for her fun and comprehensive workshop that takes a closer look at the indigenous waterfowl of the area, as students focus on painting delicate feathers, intricately woven nests, and a variety of eggs.
This is an excellent opportunity for all watercolor artists to fine tune and master their skills in a detailed and controlled approach to watercolors.
Through lively discussions and step by step demonstrations, Hillary challenges her students to develop and master watercolor techniques in form, texture, and detail, while working individually with each artist to guide and encourage them to capture their subject’s beauty with scientific accuracy.
CONTACT: www.waterfowlfestival.org
SEPTEMBER 24-25 2016
ACADEMY ART MUSEUM - EASTON, MARYLAND
SEASONAL BOTANICALS
Capturing our "Indian Summer" harvest of botanicals in fruit and bloom is the theme for this workshop. Students have fun foraging to collect local flora to create delicate botanical studies in graphite and watercolors with scientific accuracy and detail.
Focusing on the area's indigenous late summer flowers, woodland ferns, autumn leaves, and abundant harvest of apples & pumpkins, students enjoy learning to adapt, adjust, and problem solve using an effective repertoire of techniques, while applying seasonal color palettes and skills to each unique subject.
CONTACT: Academy Art Museum (410) 822-2787
SEPTEMBER 8-11 2016
SOUTHERN VERMONT ART CENTER – MANCHESTER, VERMONT
THE ART OF NATURE: A BOTANICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
Join international award winning botanical watercolor artist and naturalist, Hillary Parker, for an exciting and engaging 4 day workshop that focuses on the colorful autumn botanicals of New England along with its abundant bird and animal life.
Students will begin each day exploring along SVAC’s Botany Trail while identifying and gathering subjects to take back to the studio. Through unique, skill building exercises, Hillary uses her passion for art and nature to encourage and guide her students to develop and strengthen their observation skills, effective sketching and drawing skills, and detailed watercolor techniques.
Students will be applying their new skills as they create beautiful studies in graphite and watercolors of subjects such as plants, wild flowers, pumpkins, autumn leaves, feathers and nature’s treasures found throughout the forest floor of the Green Mountains.
CONTACT: S.V.A.C. (802)362-1405
JULY 11-15 2016
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS – BOOTHBAY, MAINE
NATURE ILLUSTRATION CAMP
Does your child love to draw and have an appreciation for all things natural? Join us for a weeklong nature/art camp with naturalist and international award-winning botanical watercolor artist, Hillary Parker, who will be returning again this summer to share her knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for art and nature with young artists.
Setting out daily to collect, sketch and paint on location throughout the Gardens, students will be armed with magnifying glasses and a variety of art supplies to become Botanical Art Explorers, as they spend the week discovering and learning more about this year’s CMBG theme, “The Relationship Between Plants and People”.
By investigating the links between humans and plants thru medicine, folklore, traditions, mythology and diet, students gain a better understanding of their own connection to nature while having fun creating pictographs, painting with plant dyes, following the transformation from plant to product, sampling an edible spectrum, and recording, sketching and illustrating art journals of their discoveries throughout the week.
On the last day of camp, family and friends will be invited to a fun and engaging artist reception where our young artists will share their journals and present their experiences as naturalists, botanists and artists!
CONTACT: www.mainegardens.org or call (207) 633-4333
APRIL 23-24 2016
NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN
FROM IMITATION TO INTERPRETATION
Join award-winning watercolorist Hillary Parker for an inspiring weekend workshop! Challenge yourself to move beyond the strict approach of imitating a subject in nature.
Instead, engage your keen observation and effective drawing skills to interpret your subject's true nature, while still capturing its vitality with scientific accuracy.
Prerequisite: Botanical Drawing I
CONTACT: www.nybg.org
APRIL 25, 2016
NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN
AINTING OUTSIDE THE BOX
When a standard sheet of watercolor paper just can't contain your enthusiasm or your subject, you need to "think outside the box." Creating a large-scale piece opens up a host of problems to solve, beyond creating enough work space and buying and managing large paper.
In this presentation and discussion, get inspired by Hillary Parker's experience with tremendously large works.
CONTACT: www.nybg.org
APRIL 8-10 2016
9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
DELIBERATE COMPOSITION MASTERCLASS
From Imitation to Interpretation
This intensive master class looks at composition as a process that begins before the first stroke of the pencil ever touches the paper. Through fascinating exercises and assignments that challenge their thinking in a more abstract way, students engage their keen observation skills and advanced drawing skills to interpret the plant’s true nature and capture its vitality with scientific accuracy, freeing them from the crutch of directly copying their subject.
This approach allows new opportunities for students to identify and express their individual artistic voice through their work.
Fee: $310 member, $370 non-member.
Prerequisites: Composition for Botanical Illustration
2015
OCTOBER 16, 2015
ASBA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDENS – CORAL GABLES, FL
FRUITS OF OUR LABOR: Washes, Textures & Detail
Inspired by the tropical fruits grown at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and throughout South Florida, students engage all of their senses while painting delicious watercolor studies with an intensive focus of mastering those elusive washes to show seamless form as well as layering in dry brush techniques to depict realistic texture and detail.
CONTACT: www.asba.org
SEPTEMBER 17-20, 2015
PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY OF BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATORS
FROM IMITATION TO INTERPRETATION
This course invites students to move beyond the approach of imitating a subject in nature.
Through fascinating exercises and assignments that challenge their problem solving skills in a more abstract way, students engage their keen observation and effective drawing skills to interpret their subject’s true nature and learn how to capture its vitality with scientific accuracy, freeing them of the crutch of having to directly copy their subject.
CONTACT: www.psbi-art.org
JULY 23-26, 2015
THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY & ART COLLECT AND BOTANICAL GARDENS – SAN MARINO, CA.
BOTANICAL ART SYMPOSIUM
American Society of Botanical Artists & Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California present an exhibit tour of the traveling botanical exhibit, Weird Wild, and Wonderful, workshops, lectures, portfolio sharing and Techniques Showcase.
CONTACT: www.bagsc.org
JULY 13-17, 2015
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS – BOOTHBAY, MAINE
DRAWN TO NATURE – ART WORKSHOP
Join naturalist and international award winning botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker for a comprehensive week of fine art fun! Inspired by famous Maine artists and our beautiful gardens, students will enjoy developing a strong foundation of observation, drawing and painting skills while creating a portfolio of landscapes, botanical studies, and natural science illustrations of birds, other animals and insects.
We will be responding artistically to nature while working “en plein air” throughout the Gardens as well as in the studio experimenting and refining techniques using a variety of mediums including graphite, colored pencil, pen & ink, and watercolors.
CONTACT: www.mainegardens.org
JULY 6-10, 2015
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS – BOOTHBAY, MAINE
NATURE ILLUSTRATION CAMP
Does your child love to draw and have an appreciation for all things natural? Join us for a weeklong nature/art camp with naturalist and international award-winning botanical watercolor artist, Hillary Parker, who will be returning again this summer to share her knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for art and nature with young artists.
Setting out daily to collect, sketch and paint on location throughout the Gardens, students will be armed with magnifying glasses and a variety of art supplies to become Botanical Art Explorers, as they spend the week discovering and learning more about this year’s CMBG theme, “The Relationship Between Plants and People”.
By investigating the links between humans and plants thru medicine, folklore, traditions, mythology and diet, students gain a better understanding of their own connection to nature while having fun creating pictographs, painting with plant dyes, following the transformation from plant to product, sampling an edible spectrum, and recording, sketching and illustrating art journals of their discoveries throughout the week.
On the last day of camp, family and friends will be invited to a fun and engaging artist reception where our young artists will share their journals and present their experiences as naturalists, botanists and artists!
CONTACT: www.mainegardens.org
JUNE 15-19 AND JUNE 22-26, 2015
FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN
DRAWN TO NATURE ART CAMP AT FAIRCHILD (AGES 8-11yrs)
Join naturalist and artist Hillary Parker as we observe, explore, discover and create beautiful works of art that are inspired by the natural beauty of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
This art camp is for kids who love art & nature and want to develop and build strong art skills while having fun working in a studio environment and outside on location, “plein air” style.
Using colored pencils, watercolors, collage, pen & ink and mixed media, students will learn lifelong art skills while creating works of art inspired by famous artists and our lush tropical surroundings.
CONTACT: www.fairchildgarden.org
APRIL 25-26, 2015
NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN
FINISHING TOUCHES
Knowing "how" to finish a painting and knowing "when" it's finished are skills that are just as important as knowing how to get started.
This 2-day informative course covers finishing techniques to prepare artwork for juried level exhibitions. Topics and demonstrations cover details, texture, sharpening and cleaning edges, balancing contrast, as well as developing individual criteria for assessment.
Students are encouraged to bring "paintings in progress" for problem solving discussion, troubleshooting and completion.
CONTACT: www.nybg.org
APRIL 18-19, 2015
GLYNN VISUAL ARTS – ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA
BOTANICAL WATERCOLORS WORKSHOP
Join Hillary Parker for an exciting and informative 2-day workshop exploring the foundations of botanical watercolors.
Whether you are a novice looking to get started or an experienced artist looking for a unique and different approach, this fun and innovative course uses the abundant resources of plant life here on the Golden Isles for endless inspiration.
Students are challenged to strengthen and reinforce their keen observation and drawing skills as they focus on developing and refining painting techniques that include washes, glazes, textures, and fine line detail work.
CONTACT: www.glynnart.org
FEBRUARY 25-26, 2015
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
LANDSCAPE FIELD SKETCHING