The Adult NatureSketch program wrapped up with a visit to the rare Black Oak Savannah located in High Park.  We had nature expert Jon Hayes from the High Park Nature Centre join us to provide insight into this fragile ecosystem.

Jon pointed out noteworthy features of the savannah habitat and showed us how to distinguish bark patterns between the signature black oaks and the equally impressive red oak trees.

The art lesson focused on how Bob Bateman makes strong use of positive and negative space in his paintings and the importance of thumbnail sketches.  The artists were then given viewfinders to aid them in composing images of the rhythmic oak branches.

We ended the day in the Nature Centre’s outdoor classroom and restoration garden, OURSpace, sketching feathers and native plants. 

Thanks to Judy, Suzanna, Alla, Heather, April, Kerry, Alex, Jessica, Sheri, Elizabeth, Dougal, Carol, Colleen and Christine for taking part in the Bateman NatureSketch program.  This is the first year of the program in Toronto and I believe everyone should be very proud of the images they created.

A big thanks to Jon Hayes for sharing your insights with the sketch artists! 

I look forward to seeing you all again at the Student Art Show.