Capture the Beauty of Descanso Gardens Through Six-Week Art Course

Where is a better place to practice landscape painting than at the five-acre Descanso Gardens, which is home to more than 3,000 roses, dozens of trees, and a Japanese-style garden that blends design elements of zen and classic tea.

Landscape artist Virginia Hein will lead a six-week course entitled “Sketching on Location” at the Descanso Gardens beginning on Saturday, July 19, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Hein will discuss how to capture the rich and varied landscapes of the garden by sketching it on location through a variety of media.

“At Descanso Gardens in La Cañada, where I recently had the great pleasure of teaching the ‘Sketching on Location’ workshop series, one of the things I enjoy the most is the preparation,” Hein said. “I try out ways to do things with simple means—just with line and values, and move on from there. I hope everyone who comes will discover something and have a great time.”

Hein is an avid location sketcher, and her favorite subject is the landscape of Los Angeles.

She received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Drawing and Painting from the California State University, Long Beach. She has worked as a concept designer of toys and other products for many years, as well as art director, illustrator and fine artist.

Currently Hein teaches drawing and design at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. She contributes regularly to the international Urban Sketchers blog.

Admission is $90 for Descanso members and $120 for non-members.

Students will receive a materials list upon registration. To sign up, call the gardens’ visitor center at (818) 949-7980 till Saturday, July 12.

The Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. For more information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit http://www.descansogardens.org.