There’s a beauty to marine creatures, from the simplicity of a jellyfish to the predatory power of a shark. But how do you capture these diverse features as an artist?
Learn how in a new program offered by The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: “Marine Animal Illustration,” a drawing-instruction course that will meet on five Thursdays – from March 12 to April 9 – from 2 to 4 p.m.
Award-winning artist and naturalist Patricia Wynne will lead this intensive course, which will serve as a great introduction for beginners and a bonus opportunity for advanced artists to hone their skills. With sharks, anemones, jellies, sea turtles and more, The Maritime Aquarium presents diverse and inspiring subjects for artists of every level.
Session topics will include: the basics of drawing marine animals; gesture drawing of fast-moving animals; countershading; composing an inhabited setting; and drawing anatomical details of fish, invertebrates and mammals.
Wynne is a New York City-based freelance artist who works for scientists at research organizations around the world, and has illustrated more than 170 books for both adults and children. Her work has appeared in such publications as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Food and Wine, Cricket, and Scientific American. Her books have received awards from Parenting magazine, the John Burroughs Association and the National Science Teachers Association. “Hello, Bumblebee Bat,” a book written by Darrin Lunde and illustrated by Wynne, was nominated for a 2008 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award by the American Library Association.
Cost of the Aquarium class is $200 (or $180 for members). Art materials are not included; registrants will receive a materials list beforehand.
Always a place for a fun family visit, The Maritime Aquarium is offering the drawing course and other new public programs this spring to make its educational resources more broadly available. Other
upcoming classes include preschool explorations (offered as a series and as one-time meetings), turtle programs for ages 5 to 7, shark programs for ages 8 to 10, and morning sessions where families and animals both get breakfast prior to the Aquarium’s opening for the day.
Get all the details about these new public programs – and sign up – at www.maritimeaquarium.org under the “Fun & Learning” tab. Or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.