Capture the beauty, complexity, and atmosphere of trees and forested landscapes in this immersive, two-day watercolor workshop with artist Erica Qualey. Weather permitting, we’ll take full advantage of the Gardens’ wooded areas and paint outdoors, observing our subjects directly from nature.

Throughout the workshop, we’ll explore how to simplify and organize the abundance of visual information found in a forest: learning to create strong compositions, balance shapes and values, and establish a convincing sense of light and depth. We’ll also dive into techniques for building natural-looking textures and using your brushes in expressive ways to form branches, trunks, twigs, and foliage that feel wild, organic, and alive.

Whether you’re new to watercolor or a seasoned painter looking to deepen your connection with the landscape, this workshop offers a supportive, hands-on environment to grow your skills and strengthen your forest paintings. All experience levels are welcome.