Hello everyone - I have been a "lurker" for the past few months,
enjoying the ongoing questions and commentary, not having anything to
add myself. But now I am in need of some help/advice and I know this is
a great place for that.

I've been given the opportunity to teach a botanical illustration
workshop at a local art center. I have a solid amount of illustration
experience, but have never taught a course. Most likely this will be a
very short workshop, consisting of 4 2-hour sessions (8 hours total).
For those of you who have experience teaching botanical
courses/workshops, how would you recommend I format this course? I
don't know if I can assume the people signing up will have basic
drawing skills (I guess I could always list it as a prerequisite).

Should the focus of the course be to complete one good color
illustration or an attempt to cover all the basics (more of an
Introduction to Botanical Illustration)? Is it better to just focus on
one technique, like watercolor? Do I ask the students to provide their
own plants or should I (assuming the art center would pay for them)? Do
you have a standard materials list? If this course goes well and there
is interest from the students in continuing, I'm sure further classes
can be developed.

Any advice, especially the detailed kind, would be MUCH appreciated : )
If you'd prefer, feel free to contact me off-list.

Thanks,
Karina

Karina I. Helm
Scientific Illustrator
www.helmillustration.com