Portfolio Review Quide

Denver Botanic Gardens’ Certificate Program in Botanical Art and Illustration

PORTFOLIO REVIEW Guidelines for students wishing to complete the Portfolio Review for a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration After completing all required coursework as outlined in the document attached, Certificate candidates will prepare and present a portfolio of finished botanical artwork for review by a committee of instructors for Denver Botanic Gardens’ Botanical Illustration Program. Please follow and check off the guidelines below as you begin to prepare your portfolio. ___ 1. Complete all coursework as outlined on attached page. ___ 2. Request a copy of your transcript from the Registrar (720-865-3580, [email protected]). ___ 3. Contact Botanical Art and Illustration Program Coordinator to request approval for participation in Portfolio Review and learn scheduled date of next Review.

Preparing Your Portfolio The complete portfolio will contain five (5) finished botanical plates as follows: 1. Graphite 2. Colored Pencil 3. Pen and Ink 4. Watermedia 5. Artists choice: This can be a plate in any of the media taught within the program or a combination of them. As you select plates to include in your portfolio, remember that the Portfolio Review is an opportunity to present your highest level of work in each medium. Please demonstrate your best efforts in composition, scientific accuracy, artistic ability, and accurate scientific labeling. Though some of your plates may have been started or completed during classes, you are encouraged to include work done independently as well. Your work may be presented framed, unframed, matted, or in a physical portfolio, but none of these are necessary. Your artwork is the focus of the Review. Please enjoy the Portfolio Review! It is your chance to show what you have learned in the Program, and to gain valuable feedback as you move on in your art work. If you have any questions about the Review process, please contact the Program Coordinator, Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski at 303-492-5158 or [email protected]. If you have questions about a particular medium or if you would like to schedule a time to preview your work with the appropriate instructor, please contact the instructor directly.

Use these checklists to review your work as you prepare for the Portfolio Review. Instructors will use these same points of reference during the Review. All plates: ___ Ground is appropriate and clean, with no smudges, obvious erasures, bent or torn edges. ___ Drawing of all subjects is scientifically accurate. ___ Form development is complete and includes a full range of values from light to dark. ___ Light source is clear and understandable. Highlights are appropriate to the shape and texture of the plant subject and are consistent throughout the work. ___ Depth overlaps, and atmospheric perspective are clear and effective.

1. Graphite The completed plate will be executed in graphite, carbon pencil, wash or Ebony pencils, carbon dust or a combination of these media. It must be labeled correctly with the scientific name of the plant, including genus and species. The label may be on the plate or presented separately. ___ Tonal areas demonstrate smooth and continuous changes. ___ Line demonstrates appropriate weight and modeling. ___ Detail is accurately rendered and well understood. 2. Colored Pencil The completed plate will be executed in colored pencil, which may included wax, oil or watercolor pencils. It must be labeled correctly with the scientific name of the plant, including genus and species. The label may be on the plate or presented separately. ___ Colors are accurate to the subject and demonstrate effective color layering with smooth application and color transitions. ___ Form is well represented in color with accurate hue and tonal changes. ___ Texture accurately represented with appropriate hue and tonal changes.

3. Pen and Ink The completed plate will be executed in Pen and Ink. It must be labeled correctly with the scientific name of the plant, including genus and species. The label may be on the plate or presented separately. ___ Line quality is clean and even, with smooth line width transitions when using expressive line, snodgrassing, and eyelashing. Contour and modeling lines are used accurately. ___ Stipple and crosshatching (and any other techniques which include scumbling and mixed strokes) are used effectively to portray form and texture. Stipple is produced with appropriate dot size, round shape and clear spacing.

BI-Instructors - DBG - 09/19/2007

4. Watermedia The completed plate will be executed in watercolor, gouache or transparent acrylics. It must be labeled correctly with the scientific name of the plant, including genus and species. The label may be on the plate or presented separately. ___ Color is accurate to subject and demonstrates effective color mixing. ___ Transitions and integration of color is apparent and well modulated. ___ Hard and soft edges are used effectively to portray texture and form. Hard edges should be clean and crisp. ___ Form development is complete and includes a full range of values. 5. Artists Choice This is your opportunity to select another piece in a favorite medium or to combine media for a new effect. You will still want to meet the highest possible standard with this piece. It must be labeled correctly with the scientific name, including genus and species. The label may be on the plate or presented separately. ___ Color or tone is accurate to subject. ___ Medium is used well, with smooth application, well managed transitional areas, and accurate hue and tonal changes needed for form. ___ Texture is well represented with accurate tone/color, form and detail.

BI-Instructors - DBG - 09/19/2007