Diploma Course:

Botanical Painting

Develop your artistic skills to the highest technical level

About the course

The current resurgence of this interesting and ancient method of plant depiction is partially due to our Botanical Painting Course, launched here in 1994 by Anne Marie Evans.  The training aims to teach accurate illustration of plant material in watercolour by developing the necessary observational and drawing skills within a historical and scientific context.  An understanding of and appreciation of botany, as taught on the course is vital to realistic plant representation.  Under the direction of Helen Allen, Course Director, other practicing artists, botanists, taxonomists, and gallery owners demonstrate and guide our budding artists through the depictive intricacies of live plant material such as the pineapple, the strawberry, white flowers, stems, leaves and roots. Advice is given on selling and promoting work.

The high achievement of our students is recognized through their work displayed in leading international collections, medals awarded by the RHS, and exhibitions in London, the provinces and the USA.

A bi-product of the course is the recording of plants in important gardens – Florilegium – and many of our graduates continue their work through these new and prestigious collections.

Drawing techniques

Line, perspective and form to include basic drawing techniques using pencil and paper. Drawing flowers and leaves in perspective and using light to render the third dimension in simple and complex forms.

Watercolour painting techniques

Learn the traditional watercolour painting skills of the botanical artist through washes and dry brush to create form and detail

Botany

Classification, nomenclature, black and white illustration.  Observe and classify plants during practical sessions in school and in the ‘field’. Learn to use relevant plant family information in illustrations and paintings. Draw accurately to scale and produce scientifically accurate drawings in pencil, ink and in colour. Nomenclature, the naming of plants

Composition and aesthetics

Balance of line, form and colour, aerial perspective and the development of aesthetic judgment through the history of botanical painting. Looking at composition and aerial perspective. How to ‘read’ paintings in order to hone the skills of composition.Through visits to galleries and collections learn about historical and contemporary botanical painting.

Advanced watercolour skills

Fine brush work for detail and painting on vellum. Understanding and working with colour, and includes surface textures such as velvet, fluff and bloom.

Plant family study

This is set during the second term for completion before graduation – includes pen and ink botanical drawing, four watercolour paintings and relevant commentaries, with family studies comparison notebook

Visits

Several visits to galleries and museums are arranged throughout the year including the Library, Herbarium and Shirley Sherwood Gallery at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and RHS Lindley Library and Picture Library.  Students are encouraged to visit local exhibitions, botanical gardens, national galleries and museums in their own time.

Lecturers include

Helen Allen BA (Hons) PGCert Ed, Dip EGS, FLS, Course Director
Mariella Baldwin Dip EGS, MA
Sarah Gould Dip LA (Glos), Dip UD
Anna Haigh BSc (Hons)

Angeline de Meester BA (Hons), Dip EGS, FLS, SBA
Lucy T. Smith  BVA (Hons), MCA
Read more about the lecturers on Our Tutors page

Assessments

Feedback is given weekly during open critique sessions. Individual assessments and advice are given regularly

Final project

In order to qualify for the diploma, students must complete a project in their own time within the year following the course. Candidates must present six accomplished and mounted watercolour paintings on a chosen theme. Regular critique sessions at the School help guide students as they progress with their project work

How to Apply

Applicants will be invited to a group information session at the School with the Course Director, Angeline de Meester, who explains the course in detail. During this hour, prospective students are shown round our new premises and have an opportunity to sit in on a class in session, chat with current students and see some of their work.

We find these informal meetings very helpful before making a decision and  would be delighted to welcome you here at the school.  To book an information session please complete the Application Form.