Collections

Hunt Institute for Botancial Documentation Permanent Collection

Private Collections

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Lectures and workshops

Techniques of a Graphite and Watercolor Composition 

 Donnett will take participants on a journey of exploration through the techniques she used in her multi-media rendering of an Echinocystis lobata, Wild Cucumber. During this presentation, Donnett will discuss how and why an artist may choose to use two media in a composition.

American Society Of Botanical Artist Spring Symposium - Zoom Presentation 

March 27, 2026

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Rendering a White Magnolia Blossom in Graphite

This in-person half day workshop explores the composition of a white blossom. 

When rendering a white flower in graphite, paint, ink, or silverpoint, shadows and background are used to develop shape, form, textures, negative and positive space of the blossom. Donnett will demonstrate this technique, workshop participants will practice techniques demonstrated. 

Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California Quarterly Meeting. Los Angeles Arboretum, Los Angeles,CA

December 13, 2025

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Silverpoint for the Botanical Artist

This full day, in-person workshop explores the traditional techniques of silverpoint. Donnett demonstrates the use of a silverpoint style on traditional silverpoint ground. Silverpoint techniques of hatching, cross hatching and of linear layering of marks to achieve darks, will be demonstrated and practiced by workshop participants.

American Society of Botanical Artists Conference full day workshop - October 17, 2025 - St. Paul, MN

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Beyond sketching; Elevate your Drawing Skills With Graphite Techniques For the Botanical Artist 

Take your sketches to the next level,  Donnett discusses and demonstrates how a drawing can be more than just a sketch. The workshop will cover composition, perspective for botanical artists, and graphite techniques that the artist uses in her work. Participants will have the opportunity to try all techniques demonstrated by the artist.

American Society of Botanical Artists Conference half day workshop - October 16,2025 - St.Paul, MN

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Botanical Art Techniques of a Graphite and Drybrush watercolor Multi-Media Rendering

A 3 hour in-person workshop exploring fundamental skills of drawing techniques for the botanical artist. Participants

learn how the use of graphite can complement watercolor in a botanical rendering.

Marin Art and Garden Center ,Ross ,CA  

September 26,2025 

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Exploring Silverpoint

A presentation and demonstration of the traditional techniques of silverpoint -Zoom presentation 

Beyond the Brush - New England Society of Botanical Artists

September 24, 2025

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Observing Nature Through Art

This in-person 4.5 hour workshop develops the botanical artists skill of observation, drawing techniques, perspective and composition

Los Angeles Arboretum,Lose Angeles, CA

Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California November 2024  

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Fundamentals of Drawing for the Botanical Artist

Mastering the techniques of drawing is an essential skill for botanical artists. This is a three 

hour in-person workshop discussing and demonstrating the elements of drawing, graphite 

techniques, perspective, and composition.

Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California Education Workshop August 2023

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Peritoma arborea;Bladderpod

Techniques of a graphite and drybrush watercolor composition - Zoom presentation 

Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California, A Day of Botanical Art 2023

 

Oenthera californica, California Evening Primrose 

A discussion of the drybrush watercolor technique in botanical art. - Zoom presentation 

Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California A Day of Botanical Art 2022

 

Mapping the Elements in a Drawing; A Hollyhock Dried Schizocarp

Presentation of a how to render a successful graphite rendering - Zoom presentation 

Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California A Day of Botanical Art 2021

 

Professional Experience

Dishragstudio 2013 - present

Studio of contemporary botanical artist, Donnett Vanek, working in the mediums of watercolor, graphite, silverpoint, and linoleum block prints.

From 2013 to 2023 Donnett created a line of hand block printed kitchen linens. The line was carried at boutiques in California and sold through Dishragstudio's Etsy site, and art fairs.

Commercial textile designer; in house and freelance - 1996- 2013

 

Professional Societies

American Society of Botanical Artists   

Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California - Board member