Beginning Colored Pencil

Learn basic skills to capture nature through the medium of colored pencil.

Over the course of six weeks, discover how colors impact each other and the viewer as you add to your sketchbook and finish several colored pencil drawings.

Each week, participants will:

Learn from demonstrations and instruction by a professional art instructor
Learn how to see color in a specimen and recreate it on paper
Receive one-on-one guidance
Work with botanical specimens from the Arboretum’s grounds, such as leaves or flowers

Participants must bring their own supplies; please email education@mortonarb.org if this is a barrier.

Some materials are provided. See What to Know for a list of supplies to purchase before class.

This program is intended for students with some foundational drawing skills.

This program meets in person at the Arboretum.

Instructor: Kimberly Mullarkey, artist

Age: 16 and older

Course number: A012

Instructor

Kimberly Mullarkey, artist

Kimberly Mullarkey has a bachelor’s degree in fine art from the University of California–Santa Cruz and a master of fine arts degree from Northern Illinois University. She lived in France for six months, where she studied early Northern Renaissance painting. She teaches botanical art at The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden. She also teaches drawing and design at the College of DuPage. Her work is included in the Best of Colored Pencil series. She has spoken at many local art leagues about creativity, botanical art, and her own work. To fulfill her wanderlust, she leads trips.

Questions about Registration
630-719-2468
Registrar-ed@mortonarb.org
Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Format
In person
Six Wednesdays, April 22, through May 27, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side
A012
Cost: $230
Member cost: $195
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