Colored pencil drawing by Instructor Aryn Lill.
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2026, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
$80 member/$100 non-member, includes Arboretum admission and supplies; see list* for optional supplies to bring.
Registration coming soon.
Program location: Farm at the Arb - McVay Learning Lab (in the Bee Center)
Adult 18+
All levels welcome
Instructor: Aryn Lill, Art Instructor, artist who is passionate about helping others on their artistic journey
Enjoy watching the birds at your feeder? The cedar waxwing can be found year-round in Minnesota, has distinctive coloration and a real penchant for berries. Join instructor Aryn Lill to create a beautiful colored pencil drawing of a cedar waxwing perched among winter berries in this beginner-friendly drawing class.
Using toned tan paper as a warm foundation, you will explore techniques for layering colored pencil, blending soft feather textures, and creating contrast with highlights and shadows. This class is perfect for beginners as well as artists looking to strengthen their observational drawing and colored pencil skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.
In this class you will:
- Draw along step-by-step from live instruction.
- Learn how toned paper can enhance color harmony and help create depth in a drawing.
- Discover how to layer and blend in colored pencils.
- Leave with a finished drawing and new appreciation for colored pencils and the Cedar Waxwing!
*Supplies/Equipment: Studio quality colored pencils and paper will be available for use in class. Students are encouraged to bring a colored pencil set from home if they wish; a 36- or 48-pack of Prismacolor Premier colored pencils are recommended.
Instructor:
Aryn Lill is an award-winning fine artist, illustrator and muralist whose public artwork can be found throughout Minnesota. Initially focused on drawing the human form, she later found inspiration in wildlife, dreamy skyscapes and the natural world, which are central themes in her work. Passionate about protecting animals and the environment, Aryn incorporates these values into her art. She earned an A.A. in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles and a B.A. in Studio Arts from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, with a focus on public art and illustration. With nearly twenty years of teaching experience, Aryn has worked with students of all ages and cultural backgrounds, developing an instructional style rooted in classical fine art while encouraging personal expression and process exploration. She founded The Blue Fox, a traveling fine art studio, in 2013, expanding it to offer classes and summer camps across five counties in Minnesota.
We recommend that you enter the Arboretum via the back gate on 82nd St, not the main entrance on Hwy 5. This is the most direct route to access the Farm at the Arb, and avoids potential delays when driving through the Arboretum.
Address: Farm at the Arb Entrance Gate
If you do wish to enter through the main Arboretum gate on Hwy 5, you can take 3-Mile Drive through the Arboretum and turn right on Peter Moe Drive to get to the Myers Education Center (this route may take an additional 15-20 minutes, so please plan accordingly).
Main Entry instructions:
You will receive a bar-code ticket for entry to the Arboretum in your email purchase confirmation. Your ticket is valid for entry on the day of your class. Present your ticket to the gate attendant as you enter the Arboretum. You may stay at the Arboretum after class as long as you want during our operating hours.