Drawing Vermont’s Wild Plants
Friday–Sunday June 19–21, 2026
Instructor: Susan Sawyer
Cost: $375
Size: 12 Students
Whether you draw for identification, documentation, appreciation, expression, or a combination of all these, the practice of nature illustration gives us so many interesting gifts. This is a class for artists and naturalists who would like to build drawing skills and see and understand plants better. Each day we will address a different group of plants, their parts and lives, and particular challenges for the artist. While primarily a drawing class, as that is essential, we’ll also cover the practical use of color media to enhance our drawings.
Drawing plants is a skill learned mostly by practice, but helped along by examples, demonstrations, guidance, and good company. Over this three-day course, we’ll spend about half our time in the field, keeping a plant sketchbook, and working together as a community of learners to share and discover with one another. We’ll also make use of the indoor classroom to practice and present. We’ll have expert assistance from botanist and ecologist Jerry Jenkins. Some drawing experience is helpful but not required.
Course Details
Goals and Objectives
- Practice drawing skills including gesture, line, value, and composition.
- Observe and learn about patterns, form and function in plants.
- Practice adding color to graphite and pen drawings using watercolor.
- Spend time observing and drawing outdoors in a beautiful setting.
About the Instructor
Susan Sawyer is an artist-naturalist from South Woodbury. She recently retired as an educator, naturalist, and illustrator for the Four Winds Nature Institute, and has been an educator in non-formal settings for decades. Susan worked for 9 years at North Branch Nature Center, and for 15 years was on the faculty of the Union Institute & University Adult Degree Program, advising studies in science, art, or both – it’s the intersection of these two fields that she finds the most fertile and creative. She thinks observation and imagination are the beginnings of both science and art, and believes in having serious fun while learning. Susan holds a BA in graphics and natural history from New College, Sarasota, Florida, a MFA in visual art from Vermont College, and a Diploma in Botanical Art from the Society of Botanical Artists, London.
Recommended Materials
All materials except your sketchbook will be provided. Recommended sketchbook: Canson Mixed Media XL either 7×10 or 9×12. Available at The Drawing Board in Montpelier (mention you’re taking a class to receive a 10% discount) Please Contact Susan if you are signed up and would like to use a different sketchbook.
Meals & Lodging
We will provide coffee, tea, and light breakfast fare (pastries, etc.) each morning. Participants should bring their own lunches and snacks. Camping is available onsite by request.
Location & Timing
Course begins 9 AM on Friday at North Branch Nature Center. Course ends each day by 5 pm, concluding on Sunday.
Physical Requirements
Participants must be able to travel up to a mile each day on mostly-flat grass and dirt trails at NBNC. Participants should be comfortable outside in potentially hot or cold conditions, though we won’t be outside for very long in uncomfortable weather. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about mobility and/or other accessibility needs.
Academic Credit & Professional Development
This course may qualify for 1 graduate-level credit for an additional $200 course fee. All BioU courses are accredited by Castleton University. Participants interested in receiving credit must contact us in advance so we have time to arrange course accreditation. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that home institutions will accept the credit. Participants pursuing academic credit will be required to complete an additional assignment above and beyond the course hours, including literature review, reflective writing, or a field-based project.
This course qualifies for 24 hours of professional development hours and continuing education units. Certificates of completion are provided at the conclusion of the course.
Financial Support
We have financial support available for most courses! Please head to our Financial Support page to learn more and request financial support. Support is limited, but we do our best to make sure that participants are not turned away for financial reasons. Since many courses fill quickly, we suggest submitting your financial support request after registering for the course if you are able. Or you may email us after submitting your request to ask us to temporarily hold a space for you.
Cancellation Policy
While we realize that unexpected circumstances arise that are out of our control, North Branch Nature Center cannot guarantee refunds for registrations cancelled within 30 days of the course. If a cancellation occurs within this window, NBNC will attempt to fill the space from our wait list and provide a full refund. If the course needs to be cancelled by NBNC, we will provide a full refund.