Nancy Gray Ogle

Workshops

Students will observe the process of illustrating a book from research and thumbnail sketches to finished art. Through demonstrations, students will observe the challenges of drawing and painting animals, while exploring the process involved in being a Wildlife Artist. The artist will share painting techniques and methods of creating different effects.
A drawing lesson will introduce students to ‘unit measuring’ that will help improve skills in drawing and proportion. Reference pictures and diagrams will be supplied for students to work from as they will be given the opportunity to complete an animal drawing; shading and colouring if time allows.

Min: 1 hour 30 minutes

Special Equipment:

Display area for easels and a demonstration area or table.

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed.

Biography

Nancy’s first commission to illustrate a book was in 1987 when she met Canadian author and wildlife biologist, R.D. Lawrence (In Praise of Wolves, The Zoo that Never Was, The White Puma). Mr. Lawrence was most impressed with Nancy’s paintings of animals and requested her to produce artwork for his current book, The Natural History of Canada by Key Porter Books. Since then, she has produced illustrations for 8 books within the Kids Can Press wildlife series.

She began her career as an animal artist at the age of 19. After several years of education in graphic art, she turned her attention to fine art and to developing her skills in drawing and painting. It was at this time she began painting portraits of animals using pastels. From here, her interests lead to the subject of wildlife. She attended painting workshops in Algonquin Park and Alaska with other wildlife enthusiasts. Over the years, Nancy has exhibited in the company of Canada’s finest wildlife artists and has become a recognized member within that community. Nancy looks forward to illustrating more books in the future: “It is very satisfying to have my work achieve this level of purpose”.