Classes and Planning

Course Number: 32628
Units: 3
Number & Section: SICP 301 (30)
Dates: June 16 – June 27, 2025
Schedule: M-F, 9:00am-1:30pm
Course Supply List: Field Sketching Supply List
Instructor: Andrea Dingeldein (adingeldein@csumb.edu)

This field-intensive course will invigorate your sketchbook pages and inspire curiosity about natural subjects. We will cover basic drawing and watercolor techniques for accurate representation of plants and animals, gain a deeper connection to the local landscape through the practice of sketching outdoors, and use a variety of identification tools to learn more about our subjects. Inclass instruction focuses mostly on pencil, watercolor, and colored pencil, but the use of a variety of materials is encouraged.

Course Number: 32622
Units: 3
Number & Section: SICP 395 (30)
Dates: July 14 – July 25, 2025
Schedule: Asynchronous 
Instructor: Elena Hartley (esohnhartley@gmail.com)

Dive into the world of digital art with this beginner-friendly course. Whether you have experience with traditional art or are curious doodler, this class will introduce you to the essential tools and techniques used to create digital art. Students will learn how to use Photoshop's tools to sketch, ink and paint just like on paper. No previous digital experience is required and all concepts can be applied to other programs like Procreate, Clip Studio or Krita.

Course Number: 32624
Units: 3 
Number & Section: SICP 395 (32)
Dates: July 14 – July 25, 2025
Schedule: M-F, 9:00am-1:30pm
Course Supplies: Botanical Supply List
Instructor: Erin Hunter (erin@eehunter.com)

Hone your skills of observation, as well as drawing and painting techniques, by sketching flowers and plants. Brief lessons in botanical anatomy will help you identify and understand the parts of flowers and plants. Students will create pages of detailed notes and sketches; learn to match color from flowers and leaves; and practice using various media like graphite, pen, colored pencil, and watercolor. We'll cover some field sketching techniques, and discuss how to create a more formal botanical plate. All skill levels welcome; previous drawing experience is helpful but not necessary.

Course Number: 32623
Units: 3 
Number & Section: SICP 395 (31)
Dates: June 2 - June 13, 2025
Schedule: Asynchronous
Course Supplies: Paleo Supplies List
Instructor: Reid Psaltis (rpsaltis@csumb.edu) 

Paleoart is the practice of bringing extinct animals to life through art. In this class we will discuss some of the techniques and challenges of turning fossils into living animals. Students will get a crash course in vertebrate anatomy, and will learn how to visualize muscles and skin on a skeleton, get tips for rendering fur, feathers and scales in a digital workflow, and will build a small model of a prehistoric animal of their choice. Students working digitally may use their preferred apps and software, but instruction will be focused on Procreate. 

Course Number: 32625
Units: 3 
Number & Section: SICP 395 (33)
Dates: July 14 - July 25, 2025
Schedule: Asynchronous
Instructor: Nicholas Ta

This course focuses on the use of software and technology to create 3D digital sculptures and 3D printed models of wildlife. Each student starts the process with modern sculpting software such as Blender and Zbrush. Or creating a digital model from the use of scanning tools. These models are then fabricated using different printers to best represent their model’s features. The use of these programs will introduce students to numerous workflows within education and media industries. The beauty is that each 3D model can be repurposed for whatever their goal is. No class prerequisite to enroll as the content and products from the course can be enjoyed on any level including recreationally.

Course Number: 32627
Units: 3 
Number & Section: SICP 395 (35)
Dates: June 16 – June 27, 2025
Schedule: M-F, 2:00pm-6:00pm
Instructor: Kristen Burroughs (KBurroughs@csumb.edu)

Over the course of the class, students will learn how to navigate the media of watercolor while learning about extant vertebrates (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles & amphibians) and invertebrates (mollusks, arthropods, echinoderms, cnidarians, etc). Additionally, students will learn how to create effective study pages through researching, using online resources, sketching techniques, using a variety of materials and tools, transferring drawings, color matching, creating textures, building layers, using mixed media with watercolor, and more! At the end of this class, students will have completed study pages packed with illustrations of multiple animals across different phylogenetic classes of wildlife, and will have completed at least one final watercolor piece of their chosen wildlife subject. This class is especially geared towards those that are in the beginning through intermediate levels, but is open to all skill levels.

Wildlife in Watercolor Supply List

Course Number: 32626
Units: 3 
Number & Section: SICP 395 (34)
Dates: June 30 – July 11, 2025
Schedule: M-F, 9:00am-1:30pm
Instructor: Erin Ellis (e@erinellis.com)

In this course, learn the fundamentals of hand drawn typography and how to use it in your science illustrations, fine artwork and marketing materials. Topics include handwriting and note taking, signatures and dating of artwork and prints, logos and brand elements, developing hand drawn alphabets that work with your personal art style, and more. Use your new skills to elevate your artwork, creative brand, or just enjoy learning all about the lettering arts!