Designed to introduce students to the finer details of Botanical Art. Learn to depict the plant world using lead pencil to create form, tonal value and the intricate details of plant forms. The class covers basic plant anatomy, composition and page layout, line drawing and perspective and the various ways to create tone to give form and dimension to your plant study. Materials cost approximately $70. Drawing experience helpful.

Botanical Drawing

Course Description

Discover the beauty of plants through the art of botanical drawing. 

This course introduces you to the fundamentals of observing and illustrating plant forms, from simple leaves to complete compositions. 

Working in graphite, you’ll explore essential drawing techniques while also learning basic plant anatomy and how to capture detail, proportion and depth. 

With guided exercises and plenty of practice, you’ll build the skills needed to bring your plant studies to life on paper.

Over five weeks, you’ll progress from quick sketchbook exercises to developing a final three-dimensional illustration on watercolour paper, protected with spray fixative. 

Along the way, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore shading, composition and, for those interested, a brief introduction to watercolour wash with pen stippling. 

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your drawing practice, this course will help you develop observational skills and artistic techniques to create accurate and expressive botanical artworks.

Course Structure

Week 1 – Getting Started: Introduction to materials and warm-up sketching. Students practise observational drawing of leaves and learn basic plant anatomy to capture perspective.

Week 2 – Accuracy and Tone: Refine line drawing and move on to more complex plant parts. Begin continuous tone shading and create a graphite tone chart to develop three-dimensional effects.

Week 3 – Composition and Transfer: Learn how to arrange a plant study effectively. Transfer chosen sketches to watercolour paper and prepare outlines for shading.

Week 4 – Shading the Final Study: Apply tonal shading to bring depth and realism to compositions on watercolour paper, with guidance for accuracy and detail.

Week 5 – Finishing Touches: Complete and preserve illustrations with spray fixative. Optional introduction to watercolour wash and pen stippling for those interested.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the key elements of a botanical artwork in graphite
• Observe and capture plant subjects accurately through detailed line drawing
• Use shading techniques, including continuous tone, to create three-dimensional effects
• Apply knowledge of plant anatomy to improve accuracy in drawings
• Compose a balanced and visually appealing plant study on paper
• Complete a botanical illustration on watercolour paper and preserve it with spray fixative
• Experiment with watercolour wash and pen stippling as additional techniques.

Course Requirements

The estimated cost of all materials is $70. Please bring:

• Drawing board A3 or a bit larger
• A3 cartridge pad
• A3 tracing paper
• Masking tape
• 1 x sheet hot pressed (smooth) 300gsm Arches Watercolour paper – please do not bring the watercolour paper to the first or second session as it may get damaged
• Cheap cosmetic blusher brush for dusting work
• Lead pencils 1 each of 2H, H or F, HB and 2B
• Blending stump (paper type) - small to medium size
• White plastic eraser and kneadable eraser
• Craft knife or Stanley knife
• Clear plastic ruler for measuring plant specimens
• Magnifying glass with a lens size not smaller than 6cm across for identifying plant parts.