Painter, illustrator and landscape historian Diane Nicholls returns to Polly Hill Arboretum this week wth her popular workshop series Observing and Drawing the Landscape. Participants will learn art techniques to record observations of the natural landscape, in weekly Wednesday sessions from 1 to 4 p.m. Drawing lessons will include perspective, sketching and developing a “personal shorthand.” Ms. Nicholls will also present methods for keeping a daily sketchbook.

Running June 11 and 25, and July 9 and 16, each class can stand on its own, or, taken as a series, the sessions augment each other. Please bring the following: 11-inch by 17-inch newsprint pad, a small (6-inch by 8-inch) sketch book, vine charcoal, a kneaded eraser, pens and drawing pencils.

The workshops are $36 per class, or $30 for arboretum members; for the entire series, it’s $124, or $100 for members. Please register in advance by calling 508-693-9426.