1. Level: Beginner. Little to no experience required but a basic knowledge of computer navigation is required.
Adults and participants ages 14+ are welcome. Please note this class is not suitable for children.

2. You will need a device with which to download and use the Zoom platform for weekly virtual meetings/classes and also to sign into the community network (links and information will be provided prior to the course, and after your confirmation of registration.) Any iOS device, Android, laptop or computer will work. 

3. Participants should commit to checking in for the course content at least 2-3 times per week, uploading their drawing and homework and commenting on work with your fellow classmates. New units/exercises will be released every weekday. The more you engage with the practice assignments, instructor and community members, the richer your learning experience will be.  

The Natural Drawing Course will take participants through basic drawing techniques over the five-week period. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

Week One: Introductions, Understanding the Platform, Tools & Materials (Zoom January 6/10)
Week Two: Exploring Values, Techniques in Shading (Zoom January 17)
Week Three: Using Line, How and When? (Zoom January 24)
Week Four: Wise Practices - Natural Drawing Strategies (January 31)
Week Five: Finished Drawings, Drawing Exercises to Keep You Going, Next Steps! (Zoom February 7/10)

Here is a list of recommended materials for this course, but if you only have a household pencil and a piece of paper, you are ready to roll! 

Pencils: 2H HB 2B 4B 6B (Optional - 4H, 8B)
Blending Stump (or Tortillon)
Eraser: Kneadable Eraser 
Pencil Sharpener (even a sharp knife will do if you don’t have one) 
Paper: Regular Bond Paper (the same that you would use in your home printer)
Newsprint
Sketchpad (any size that you prefer. Janice likes the Robert Bateman sketchbooks for the whiteness and texture of the paper. The 11x14 is a good size, but any sized sketchbook will do.) 

Completely Optional: Janice's preferred paper for finished drawings: Arches 140 lb. hot pressed watercolour paper (This is a 9x12 pad) Single Sheet Arches 140 lb. hot pressed watercolour paper (She orders these and folds them to the size she wants for finished drawings.) 
 

Janice lives and works in the beautiful Rocky Mountains near Banff, Alberta. She is an Alumna of Distinction (Creative Arts & Design) from Durham College, and also studied at the University of Windsor BFA (Acting). She has been a practicing professional and award-winning artist since 1989, with a visual arts focus on realistic, narrative drawing and painting. 

A two-time recipient of Canada Council awards, her projects have focused on developing a practice in the arts amongst diverse community members. Her large-scale paintings and drawings are critically acclaimed not only for their technical virtuosity, but for their fluidity and deep insight into the human condition featuring cross-cultural mash-ups. 

In 2005, Janice moved with her family to Treaty 7 Territory in the Bow Valley where she accepted a position to serve as Program Manager for Indigenous Leadership at The Banff Centre. Setting aside a successful art career to devote time to her family and her new role, Janice discovered artistic inspiration and support through close relationships with faculty and participants from indigenous communities from across Canada and Australia. She is greatly honoured to have been adopted as the daughter of Elder Tom Crane Bear of the Siksika Nation; initiated into the pow wow dance circle; is a tipi owner on behalf of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and has been given the Blackfoot name Iniskim-Aki (Buffalo Stone Woman).

For many years, Janice has been sharing her knowledge and lecturing at post-secondary institutions, art schools and workshops. In 2018, she was appointed Banff Centre’s first Public Program’s Teaching Artist in Residence, conducting the perpetually sold-out community “Drawn To Nature” programs. With the arrival of COVID-19, Janice developed a safe, engaging on-line learning community designed to provide a wider number of students with the opportunity to learn through her popular, easy-going teaching style and engaging perspective. 

"I am most interested in sharing what I have learned, and discovering new ways of seeing and thinking through the process of practice in the arts. I just want to get you drawing and comfortable so you can enjoy the journey!”