Bold Blooms | Orchids in Watercolor

5 Saturdays:
February 7 – March 7
9 a.m. – noon

Thomas Trausch, artist, TWSA master status

Learn to mix and apply strong, unconventional colors that command attention and bring your floral subjects to life. You will have early morning access to the Orchid Show to gain inspiration from the unique and diverse orchid plant specimens.

Register HERE

4 Sundays:
February 22 – March 15,
Noon – 3 p.m

Claudia Lane, freelance artist

Nib pens may be used, as can colored ink, ranging from black to sepia to bright colors, allowing you to depict form and texture. In addition to line drawing, ink washes will be explored to add other details to your artwork.

Register HERE

Multimedia Botanical Art

Instructor: Suzanne Wegener, botanical artist

Four Thursdays, February 19, through March 19, 2026, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. (No class on Thursday, March 5)

In this intermediate to advanced nature art course, students will work with a different medium each week to capture the forms and textures of botanical subjects.

Register HERE

Course Contents And Dates

Course 1: Fundamentals of watercolor painting.

• April 2, 9 & 16. 10 am - 1 pm, CT

• Tools and how they interact under the artist’s control, and how to achieve 3 dimensionality

Course 2: Focus on flowers.

• June 11, 18 & 25. 10 am - 1 pm, CT

• Practice: Achieving translucency, 3 dimensional form building though smart use of color temperature. Rich and intense color… edge control and more.

Course 3: Leaves with linear and net veins.

• July 16, 23, 30, 10 am - 1 pm, CT

• Intuitive green mixing, painting leaves with various venation types

Register HERE

Beyond Botanicals for Intermediate & experienced artists

In the context of “Eco-Botanical” this course is designed to help students expand their painting theme beyond pure botanicals by adding birds to the composition. Click for Registration

2 workshops in this series, 3 Thursdays, 10 am - 1 pm, CT, $190 per workshop (10% discount for both - $342)

1. Chickadee and Pine Tree: March 5, 12, 19. With a small and familiar bird, Black-capped Chickadee, students will learn about form building, creating texture, and expressive face… A wintery branch can be used for simpler painting process, if wanted.

2. Scarlet Tanager and Elderberry: May 7, 14, 21. With a bird with color range from red to orange (Scarlet Tanager or Northern Cardinal) and red/dark berries students will learn about color usage to create vibrant and three dimensional image.

Register HERE

Project 1, 2025: Tiny Superstar, Piping Plover

• Jan. 21, 28, Feb. 11 & 18

Project 2: Learning A Variety Of Shore Birds

• March 25, April 1, 15 & 22

Project 3: Lowering The Eye Level…

• Aug 19, 26, Sept 9 & 16 (no class on Sept 2)

• Preparing for a new potential exhibition, we will study the life cycle of selected flora and fauna…. If interested, contact Heeyoung Kim, please! Click for Registrfaion

Project 4: Lowering The Eye Level 2 - Life Cycle

• Dec 9, 16 & Jan 6, 20, 2026

• The theme continued from Project 3 with focus on Life Cycle …

Register HERE

2025 TALKS - BEST BITS curated by Julia Trickey

Register for the free link HERE.

12 February 2026 - 7pm GMT

CLASSICAL TECHNIQUES

M. Joy Lemon

​

Joy will guide you through the two foundational techniques of her classical training: the block-in method for achieving accurate proportions, and turning form to create volume and depth through subtle, nuanced value transitions. She will share her preferred materials and in-progress images while demonstrating these time-tested methods.

Register HERE.

19 February 2026 - 7pm GMT

PAINT A PEONY

TUTORIAL by Elaine Searle

​​Elaine will show you how to paint Peony 'Coral Charm' in Watercolour. Typical of her close cropped compositions, techniques will include both washes and dry brushing. Demonstrations will be a mixture of sped up and actual speed video.

Register HERE.

26 February 2026 - 8pm GMT

CONTEMPORARY ART PRACTISE

John Pastoriza-Piñol

This talk explores John’s contemporary botanical art practise, examining how he balances scientific accuracy with personal expression. It considers the materials, techniques, and conceptual approaches that shape his current work within today’s visual culture. John will also present selected new works,  from his highly anticipated solo exhibition scheduled for mid–late 2026.

Register HERE.

2 March 2026 - 7pm GMT

ILLUSTRATING SCIENCE
THROUGH ART

Christine Battle​

Curtis's Botanical Magazine is the world’s longest running, continuously published botanical publication, having been founded in 1787 for the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Christine will give us an insight into the process and problems of producing finely detailed illustrations for the magazine.

Register HERE

Julia Trickey , Botanical Watercolor: Illustrating Art and Science

This 15 lesson course focusing on painting a botanical portrait of fruit, capturing the color and texture.

Register HERE

Vincent Jeannerot, Botanical Watercolor Illustration: Cross-hatching Technique

This 15 lesson course focused on building layers using washes and a dry brush technique of cross-hatching. The course includes several lessons on vellum.

Register HERE.

Katerina Kolberg, Realistic Botanical Illustration: Escape to Nature

In this 25 lesson online course, covers techniques to compose realistic botanical illustrations using watercolor. Using wet-on-wet and the precision of glazing to capture the colors and textures found in nature.

Register HERE

Nadia Leo: Realistic Botanical Watercolor Drawing

Learn how to choose a subject for your illustration, make an outline, and apply color until you have an elaborate and realistic work of art.

Register HERE

ASBA The Botanical Artist Live with Andreas Hentrich

Thursday, February 26, 2026, 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM, , a watercolor and oil painter, will share his approach to working with specimens in both the studio and the field. Sessions can be viewed live or on demand for two weeks following live airing.

Register HERE

ASBA Spring Symposium

March 25-28, 2026

18 hours of instructional demonstrations by master botanical artists. 56 hours of informative and inspirational speakers. 

Flexible registration options are available. Attend it all or whatever your schedule and budget allow. (But we think you'll want to do it ALL!) All sessions will be open to an unlimited number of attendees.

Recordings of each program will be available to session registrants for 2 weeks after the conference.

Additional information on registration to come.

School of Botanical Art and Illustration at Denver Botanic Gardens

Approximate Time

Most students finish in several year, (2-5). All requirements should be completed within five years in order to receive a Foundational certificate based on website.

Approximate Cost $5300

Estimate based on average $300 per class for members x 12 core and 5 elective and includes 4 years of $80 individual membership to Denver Botanic Garden for the discount on classes.

Courses are $265 -$330 for member and $315-$395 for non-member for 4-5 sessions

Elective Course and Lectures are $180 to $330 for members and $215 to $395 for non-members for 1-5 sessions

Not all courses offered by the School of Botanical Art & Illustration qualify as electives for the Certificate Program.

Courses within another Botanical Illustration program, they may be considered for transfer credit.

Botanical Interests/Epic Gardening, the School of Botanical Art & Illustration offers scholarships twice yearly, in spring and fall.

Review the Pathways & Requirements in their catalogue.

Foundational Certificate: 12 (all Foundational courses plus Portfolio Preparation) and 40 elective hours

The botanical illustration program can teach you all you need to know—from the basics of botany to complex and delicate techniques.

Learn more about the Foundational Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration HERE

Item descriptionSchool of Botanical Art and Illustration at Denver Botanic Gardens

Approximate Time

Most students finish in several year, (2-5). All requirements should be completed within five years in order to receive a Foundational certificate.

Approximate Cost $8100

Estimate based on average $300 per class for members x 16 core and 10 elective and includes 4 years of $80 individual membership to Denver Botanic Garden for the discount on classes.

Foundational and Advanced Courses are $265 -$330 for member and $315-$395 for non-member for 4-5 sessions

Elective Course and Lectures are $180 to $330 for members and $215 to $395 for non-members for 1-5 sessions

Not all courses offered by the School of Botanical Art & Illustration qualify as electives for the Certificate Program.

Courses within another Botanical Illustration program, they may be considered for transfer credit.

Botanical Interests/Epic Gardening, the School of Botanical Art & Illustration offers scholarships twice yearly, in spring and fall.

Review the Pathways & Requirements in their catalogue.

Advanced Certificate: 16 (all Foundational and 4 Advanced courses plus Portfolio Preparation) and 80 elective hours.

The botanical illustration program can teach you all you need to know—from the basics of botany to complex and delicate techniques.

Learn more about the Advanced Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration HERE

Approximately 2-4 years

All requirements should be completed within six years in order to receive a certificate.

Approximate Cost $8,000

Estimate based on average $548 x 221 total course hours (11 core courses and 3 elective courses) and includes 4 years of $100 individual membership to New York Botanic Garden for the discount on classes.

The Botanical Art & Illustration requirements provide a solid foundation in scientifically accurate drawing based on observation and fine art techniques.

Certificate students must complete 221 total course hours (167 required + 54 elective). Students are also required to submit a portfolio showcasing class assignments and their own unique creations to the Program Coordinator

Course cost for member : $477.00 - $620, 6 - 8 sessions (each session  = 3 course hours)

Learn more about the Botanical Art & Illustration Certificate Program HERE

Approximately 2-4 years

All requirements should be completed within five years in order to receive a certificate.

Approximate cost $4100

Estimate based on $360 for 10 classes for member and includes 4 years of $125 individual membership to Chicago Botanic Garden for the discount on classes.

A student may prove proficiency for up to 20 percent of coursework through transcripts from outside institutions, colleges, or universities or by passing proficiency exams through the Regenstein School. Please note: proficiency exams are only available for select classes and incur a $75 registration fee.

Courses in drawing, painting, and color theory will help you develop your technical skills and further your understanding of art and the creative process.

Program requirements: 60 hours of elective credit (10 classes)

Classes for member are $360

Learn more about the Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration HERE

NOTE: No online classes are offered at this time

Approximately 2 -3 years

Approximate cost $3000

Estimate based on $290 per class for member x 9 classes and includes 4 years of $95 individual membership to Lewis Ginter Botanic Garden for the discount on classes.

Core Classes Required

• Introduction to Drawing for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)

• Intermediate Drawing for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)

• Botany for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)

• Color Mixing for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)

• Introduction to Watercolor for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)

• Introduction to Pen & Ink for Scientific Illustration (20 hrs.)

Skills Assessment Workshop 

(scheduled after completion of the above core classes)

Additional Required Classes

• Intermediate Watercolor for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)

• Composition for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)

• Advanced Watercolor for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)

Learn more about the Botanical Illustration Certificate Program HERE

Approximately 3 - 5 years

Approximate Cost $3400

Estimate is based on 17 classes $190 for members and an enrollment fee of $100 and includes 4 years of $30 virtual membership to North Carolina Botanic Garden for the discount on classes.

Enrollment is open continuously. A $100 enrollment fee covers administrative costs for five years, after which point a renewal fee will apply for those continuing in the program.

To receive a Basic Certificate of completion, students enroll in the program, complete 14 core courses, three elective credits, and an Independent Final Project.

The certificate program provides participants with a well-balanced curriculum in both botanical art and illustration that includes scientific background, visual arts theory, and practical experience in different media.

Classes are taught by local professional artists, usually for 14 hours total over four sessions.

Learn more about the Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration HERE

Approximately 3-4- years (There is no time limit)

Approximate Cost $4700

Estimate based on $265 for members for 11 core course and 5 elective classes fand includes 4 years of $125 individual membership to Phipps Conservatory & Botanic Garden for the discount on classes.

To receive a basic certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration, you must satisfactorily complete 11 core courses, totaling 182 credit hours, and an additional 56 hours of electives for a total of 238 hours, as well as meet the requirements of a portfolio review.

The portfolio must include between 5 and 15 pieces of independent artwork that demonstrate proficiency in graphite, pen and ink, and either watercolor or colored pencil.

In the Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate program, you will learn how to draw botanical subjects with scientific accuracy, artistry and mastery of technical methods.

Develop a basic knowledge of plant morphology and build the skills you need to document plants in intricate detail, including the root system, upper and lower leaf surface, flowers, fruits and seed heads.

Learn more about the Basic Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration HERE

Approximately 3-4- years (There is no time limit)

Approximate Cost $6065

Estimate based on $265 for members for 11 core course and 10 elective classes fand includes 4 years of $125 individual membership to Phipps Conservatory & Botanic Garden for the discount on classes.

To receive a basic certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration, you must satisfactorily complete 11 core courses, totaling 182 credit hours, and an additional 56 hours of electives for

If you have completed the Basic Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration including the portfolio review, you are eligible to work towards an Advanced Certificate. The Advanced Certificate requires a one – three year commitment from you, in which you must complete an additional 50 hours of elective courses and present a final project with newly created works that demonstrate the botanical art process while focusing on an approved plant-related theme.

Develop a basic knowledge of plant morphology and build the skills you need to document plants in intricate detail, including the root system, upper and lower leaf surface, flowers, fruits and seed heads.

Learn more about the Advanced Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration HERE

Approximately 27 months based on website

Approximate cost £4,430 ($6,100) based on 2023 prospectus

This course is not for beginners in watercolor or color pencil but rather for those with some knowledge of the subject and a wish to learn more about botanical art and its associated skills. The Society’s aim is to develop those skills and help to create a good, well-rounded botanical painter.

Learn more SBA Distant Diploma Course HERE

Approximately 6 months based on website

Approximate cost £845 ($1100) based on website 2026

This course consists of ten units with ongoing assessment built into the program. The focus is on the fundamental skills and is taught by experienced and enthusiastic tutors.

Learn more about the RBGE Distance Learning Certificate Course HERE

Approximately 14 Weeks based on website

Approximate Cost £495 ($680) based on the website 2026

This course is designed to help foster your independent learning, take your knowledge, skills and confidence further, build your portfolio of botanical artworks and at the same time deepen your understanding of the special botanical view of plants.

Learn more about the RBGE Advanced Distance Learning Certificate Course HERE

Approximately 2.5 years according to the website

Approximate Cost £4,950 ($6800)

RBGE offers payment plan

This course is ideal for those who want to take botanical illustration to a professional level. Designed for those with a background or some experience in art, design or illustration, this three year RBGE diploma develops skills across a complete range of watercolour, pencil and pen.

Learn more about RBGE Distance Diploma Course HERE

Approximately 1-2 years self-paced based on website

Approximate Cost £425 ($585) based on website

Students can pay in installments

This course provides step-by-step tuition and detailed tutor feedback. You'll develop your skills in observing, sketching, and painting the intricate details of botanical subjects — from plant anatomy to the subtle play of light and shadow.

Learn more about London Art College Botanical Painting Online Art Diploma Course HERE

Approximately 1-2 years based on website

Approximate Cost £425 ($585) based on website

You’ll learn to use coloured pencils effectively to capture light, shade, texture, and colour transitions — transforming your observations of nature into stunning works of art.

Learn more about London Art College Colored Pencil Online Art Diploma Course HERE

Approximately 1 year based on website

Approximate Cost AUD395 ($275) based on website

Leonie Norton ​is based in Australia. She has been a teacher of botanical art for a long time.  

No previous knowledge is required or assumed. You will learn everything you need to know about botanical drawing and painting; from paper, materials and drawing techniques, through all facets of watercolor painting, including color mixing, matching and glazing to the final painting. Modules will cover tone, light and shade, texture, composition and form, and much more. You will learn to create the illusion of realism and three dimensionality, and to develop your observational skills

Learn more about Leonie Norton Certificate of Botanical Merit HERE