Botanical illustration

What is the course about?

On this course, you will examine a wide range of plant and botanical studies, developing skills in observational and perspective drawing and rendering detail clearly to reveal the underlying rhythm and structure of the plant.

As part of the course you have the opportunity to work with both reference images and live studies including working on location if relevant. Learn skills in colour mixing and working with colour on your illustration work and develop images that explore texture, light, form and pattern. You may also have the opportunity to work digitally, scanning in artworks and looking at basic manipulation techniques.

What will we cover?

• Drawing forms in Nature
• Colour Mixing
• Rendering details, textures and pattern
• Using digital technology in combination with hand drawn images
• Dissection and Bisection, the anatomy of a flower.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Draw botanical subjects with accuracy
• Mix colours to correspond with observed colours
• Successfully execute tonal gradation, texture and pattern
• Use digital technology to enhance your illustrations
• Explain botanical illustration and is use of it within wider contexts.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is ideal for beginners and those who want to develop skills in illustration. Some basic drawing skills would help but are not essential. This course is also ideal for those who may have completed our drawing and painting plants and flowers course.

You should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be encouraged to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be taught via practical demonstrations, workshop tasks, group discussion and critique, and individual tuition. You will be encouraged to contribute ideas and present your work.

Additional / extension tasks may be set for you to complete at home or outside of the course hours. Completion of additional tasks is encouraged to help you get the most out of the course. Where required your tutor will discuss these with you during each session.

This course is supported by Google Classroom as a Virtual Learning Environment. When you log on you will be able to access course material, presentations and handouts etc. and may be asked to complete learner progress records. You can find help via the student help centre on the Citylit website.

Please note it is important that you sign up and log in to your course Google classroom prior to the first session. Joining detail will be sent to you via email (check your junk/spam folder).

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring a notebook/sketchbook for drawing, experimentation and recording of ideas (A4 or A3 size) and a USB drive if you’d like to take your digital work home.

Other materials and equipment required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor during the first session.

Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencil to printing services, at 15% off.

To get 15% LGC discount, students will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment of them being a student at City Lit. You can apply in-store or by simply emailing info@londongraphics.co.uk with a scan or photo of relevant confirmation. The student discount does not apply to products that are already discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-discounts/.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Continue developing your illustration skills or why not explore one of our digital textile courses. For more information and a full list of courses available, please visit our website.