Mary L. Harden Designs

Art can change your life...

Experience the joy art can bring to your life today, even if you've never drawn before!

Marys' innovative curriculum and exuberant teaching style are exciting and accessible for all levels. Her passion for nurturing the creative process has contributed to her popularity as a sought after instructor of classes and workshops.

Don't forget to check out the Museum Tours & unique Art Trips Abroad

Beginning students for summer session please scroll to classes at the Sharon Art Studio.

Classes at the San Francisco Strybing Aboretum taught by Mary Harden for the SF Botanical Garden Society.

Click here to register for any of these classes.

Botanical Illustration II - Pen & Ink Techniques (213-137) two sessions available

Tuesdays 10am - 1:30pm              July 6 - August 24, 2010
Wednesdays 1-5pm                       July 7 - August 25, 2010

Drawing skills form the foundation of Botanical Illustration. This eight week class focuses on the power of beautiful line work through studies that allow the student to discover and develop their innate ability to draw with perfect accuracy. Tues. is for returning students, Wed. is open to all levels.

$10 materials fee payable to instructor at beginning of first class.

Masterclass in Botanical Illustration: Watercolor (213-156)

Wednesdays 10:00am--1:00pm      July 7 - August 25, 2010

The Master Class is designed for the continuing student who is interested in practicing and perfecting advanced techniques in watercolor. Each class will examine the work of contemporary botanical artists with a focus on advanced design techniques, layout and series production. Assistance will be given for the preparation of work for exhibition purposes. Matting, framing and quality printing will also be covered. This class will feature an exploration of 15th C. Renaissance silverpoint techniques.

$10 materials fee payable to instructor at beginning of first class.

Botanical Illustration - Advanced Watercolor I (213-139)

Fridays 10am – 1:30pm                   

June 18, 25, July 2, 23, 30, Aug. 13-27 2010

Continuing our use of a "NATURALIST'S PALETTE", we will put our watercolor techniques together with compositional and layout techniques to complete studies of specimens from the Garden. Our focus will be the completion and preparation of work for exhibition, including matting and framing.

This course is a continuation of Botanical Illustration V and requires instructor approval.

$10 materials fee payable to instructor on first day of class.

Classes at the Sharon Art Studio

Click here for registration info. for any of these classes

 Watercolor Basics 

Missed the basics along the way? This class offers a simple overview of watercolor materials and techniques. We will look at new colors that have recently been developed that produce beautiful rich granulation.

class information: 2 sections, 8 weeks each

Tuesday | 6:30-9:30pm | 07/06 - 08/24 | code: MH1-F | Jewelry Room
fees: $127 payable to FOSAS / $10 payable to Mary Harden

 WORKSHOPS

COLORED PENCIL TECHNIQUES - CAPTURING NATURAL FORMS

Colored pencils are inexpensive, easy to use and simple to transport. A large variety of colored pencils from different sources will be provided for your use during the workshop, so that you can discover the differences and find which pencils you prefer. We will learn and practice the techniques of layering, burnishing, and “etching” for vibrant effects. We will then apply these techniques to capture the tones and textures of a colorful plant subject that participants bring to the workshop.

class information: 2 days in Glass Room
Sundays | 7/11 & 7/18 | 10:30am-4:30pm | code: MH2-F
fee: $130 FOSAS members / $140 non-members payable to FOSAS
& $10 payable to M. Harden

BASIC PEN & INK

level: begining and continuing drawers

This class is for anyone who loves to draw or doodle with a pen. Perfect for beginners. We will scribble, doodle, contour draw, and learn the “Big Four” classical markings for shade and shadow. We will focus on techniques and tools suitable for quick field studies and travel journaling. On our second day we will learn specific tools for a beautiful and easy ink wash technique, we will also add Renaissance earth tones to this process.  Materials list given at registration.

class information: 2 days in Glass Room
Sundays | 8/15 & 8/22 | 10:30am-4:30pm | code: MH3-F
fee: $130 FOSAS members / $140 non-members payable to FOSAS
& $10 payable to M. Harden
 

QUILL PEN MAKING

Here's a new class just for you DIY-ers. Learn to fashion and use a real feather quill pen. You will make several pens with different points and learn to use the "big four" classical pen markings to draw a subject from life of your own choosing. You will learn how to temper your quill and master your stroke. you will discover that the quill pen is a superior tool for drawing, mark making, and calligraphy.

class information: 1 day in Glass Room
Sunday | 8/29 | 10:30am-4:30pm | code: MH4-F
fee: $66 FOSAS members / $76 non-members payable to FOSAS & $10 payable to M. Harden

Students of Arboretum classes enjoying access to the Arboretum's historical archives.