MODULE ONE

DRAWING GARDEN LINES

One of the most important skills of graphic communication is using proper line weights. In a nutshell, line weights are simply using different line thicknesses to add depth and clarity to your drawings.

This magical technique is often unknown to those starting out in design, but when mastered can transform your garden vision.

This module will give an overview of this beautiful skill and identify the proper drawing tools to create them, while allowing you to start practicing line weights on provided garden plans.

Line weights will then be covered over and over again through the rest of this course to refine your drawing skills via varied garden elements. 

MODULE TWO

DRAWING GARDEN FLOORS

Garden design at its core is about designing outdoor rooms, so though this course is focused on drawing skills (and not design), I feel it's important to teach graphics within a design framework. As you learn and draw each garden room plane, I hope you’ll start dreaming about your own outdoor spaces in a three-dimensional manner.

This module will focus on drawing garden floor elements in plan view (birds-eye view), such as wood, brick pavers, flagstone, lawn, water, and groundcovers.

While learning these different elements, line weights will once again be discussed, as well as, achieving strong contrast and textures to add clarity and character to your drawings.

Partially designed garden plans will be provided to allow you to practice these skills and dabble a bit in designing your own garden floor elements. 

MODULE THREE

DRAWING GARDEN WALLS

In this module you will start to define your garden room by drawing elements that typically create the walls, such as perennials, shrubs, trees, fences, and actual walls!

This module will focus on garden walls in both plan (birds-eye view) and elevation (as if you’re standing in front and looking at it).

The cool part is drawing in both plan and elevation simultaneously. It gives you (and a potential client) a better understanding of how a planting or overall space will look. Honestly, it's magical.

Of course, I’ll also provide partially designed garden plans and elevations so you can practice these skills. This is one of the largest modules, so will be split between two weeks.

MODULE FOUR

DRAWING GARDEN CEILINGS

In this module we’ll learn to draw elements that might overhang a garden room such as lights, pergolas, arbors, tree canopies, and umbrellas. With your refined line weight skills, paired with your new garden floor and wall drawing techniques, this section will start to pull all three garden planes into one drawing, so you can see how they look together. As always, I’ll provide the structure of a garden, then you can fill in all the nifty details and create something amazing.

MODULE FIVE

DRAWING GARDEN FURNITURE

Now that you know how to draw the floor, walls and ceiling of your garden, it’s time to make it cozy with furniture. As with any indoor room, you’ll want to place chairs, couches, and tables in a way that either encourages discussion or perhaps provides a quiet place for contemplation. Either way, furniture allows you to enjoy and use your outdoor space. This module will show how to draw and use line weights to properly layer your furniture over the details of the garden floor.

MODULE SIX

DRAWING IN COLOR

Once you’ve mastered the details of drawing the garden floor, walls and ceiling it’s time to add color! This module will teach you the basics of using color pencil and color marker, so you can make your drawings pop even more. We’ll learn about harmonious color combinations, create color swatches, then practice on provided garden plans. 

MODULE SEVEN

DRAWING IN PERSPECTIVE

This final module will showcase a simple and quick approach to drawing your garden vision in perspective. Using photographs, tracing paper, plus the framework of one- and two-point perspective you’ll be amazed at how your vision can be transformed into a simple, engaging perspective drawing. 

BONUS #1

Presentation Graphics Handbook

This nifty extra includes notes on how to create title blocks, graphic scales, north arrows, and lettering that could be included on drawings when working with clients.

BONUS #2

Plant Labeling Handbook

This additional bonus includes how to organize your labeling on a planting plan, suggestions for creating a plant schedule (plant list), plus how to write proper plant nomenclature.