Explore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
You will be introduced to a selection of different painting media and techniques to describe and observe plants and flowers through inventive mark-making, mixing colour and working to different scale. You will be encouraged to take an experimental approach taking inspiration from a variety of exciting contemporary artists.
What will we cover?
We will look at the history and techniques of painting flowers and plants working with a wide variety of materials including gouache and watercolour, plus soft pastels and acrylic paint.
Each week we will look at different artist techniques to inspire a personal response.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Confidently select and simplify complex forms
Mix and match observed colour in a range of media
Make inventive use of mark-making to communicate different characteristics of natural forms.
Work on different scales.
Work on a variety of coloured grounds and textures.
Develop personal compositions and interpretations
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Beginners are welcome but some experience of drawing or painting is useful.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Group and one to one tuition, demonstrations and looking at images from other artists. The course will be hands on, with a bit of discussion to facilitate understanding. The use of a sketchbook to record your thoughts and develop your work will be encouraged, and basic research methods discussed.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All basic art materials and a selection of plants and flowers will be provided. In discussion with your tutor, there may also be an opportunity to bring in flowers to share in project work.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can progress onto a variety of observational painting courses such as Painting 1 or Painting 2. Alternatively you might progress to Watercolour painting studio: nature and colour, or Drawing into watercolour painting. We also have a range of techniques courses including Colour-mixing for artists, and Drawing: colour pastel techniques.
Anne-Marie studied Fine Art at Epsom School of Art & Design and Advanced Printmaking at Central Saint Martin’s School of Art & Design. She has been working with printmaking, drawing, watercolour and mixed media since 1976 and has been involved in art education since 1987 at City Lit College of Adult Education, Central Saint Martin’s School of Art & Design, Bath Spa University School of Art & Design, Norwich School of Art & Design, Havering college of Further & Higher Education, V & A Museum Education department (printmaking workshops,) Morley College of Adult Education. Anne-Marie has exhibited nationally including the Hayward Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, Battersea Arts Centre and internationally at Brooklyn Art Library USA, RAMOMA (Museum of Modern Art Nairobi Kenya,). Publications: Mandy Bonnell & Stephen Mumberson ‘Printmaking on a Budget’; Jane Stobbard ‘Drawing Matters’; Jackie Newell & Dee Whittington ‘Monoprinting’ Teaching forms an integral part of Anne-Marie’s art practice with both often acting as a stimulus for the other.
Ro SylvesterSee moreSee less
Ro Sylvester is a veteran of film and theatre, having made costume and props for productions such as ‘Hellraiser’ and ‘Legend’ back in the ‘80s. She ran a costume studio in Covent Garden for some time, supplying the Opera House and other West End Theatres with costumes and props. Ro also made many props and costumes for pop videos including Eddie Grant, Supertramp and New Order. From the early ‘90s, she worked in secondary and 6th form teaching, delivering exam courses in Design Technology, Textiles, Graphics, Computer Graphics and Model Making. Having retired from secondary teaching in 2017, Ro has worked to private commission in retail display, commercials and theatre. She has also worked as a tutor at City Lit, teaching; Model Making, Prop Making, Perspective, Pastel drawing and general creativity skills. She continues to create bespoke lightweight jewellery, window displays and props for theatre and film. Ro runs a lively and fast moving classroom, helping students to explore their potential and progress onto other courses where applicable. You can see much of her work and that of her students on her website.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/painting-from-plants-and-flowers233787Painting from plants and flowershttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/m/vm081-paint-plants-flowers-img1-1080.jpg299299GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Painting techniques & processes/Courses/vm/Courses for Making Your Own Art/Courses/vm/Creative courses/Courses/vm/Beginners courses in art & design/Courses/vm/Inspired by nature228511321916191917908673136081373012285113219161653Explore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/m/vm081-paint-plants-flowers-img2-1080.jpg2540218Painting from plants and flowers299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/m/vm081-paint-plants-flowers-img1-1080_2.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Art & designVH954299299Painting from plants and flowers239194299Anne-Marie Fosterpainting-from-plants-and-flowers/vh954-2526Explore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.0000-Available|2026-06-22 00:00:00You will be introduced to a selection of different painting media and techniques to describe and observe plants and flowers through inventive mark-making, mixing colour and working to different scale. You will be encouraged to take an experimental approach taking inspiration from a variety of exciting contemporary artists.Explore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.<p>We will look at the history and techniques of painting flowers and plants working with a wide variety of materials including gouache and watercolour, plus soft pastels and acrylic paint.</p><p>Each week we will look at different artist techniques to inspire a personal response.</p><ul><li>Confidently select and simplify complex forms</li><li>Mix and match observed colour in a range of media</li><li>Make inventive use of mark-making to communicate different characteristics of natural forms.</li><li>Work on different scales.</li><li>Work on a variety of coloured grounds and textures.</li><li>Develop personal compositions and interpretations</li></ul>Beginners are welcome but some experience of drawing or painting is useful.Group and one to one tuition, demonstrations and looking at images from other artists. The course will be hands on, with a bit of discussion to facilitate understanding. The use of a sketchbook to record your thoughts and develop your work will be encouraged, and basic research methods discussed.<p>All basic art materials and a selection of plants and flowers will be provided. In discussion with your tutor, there may also be an opportunity to bring in flowers to share in project work.</p><p>You can progress onto a variety of observational painting courses such as Painting 1 or Painting 2. Alternatively you might progress to Watercolour painting studio: nature and colour, or Drawing into watercolour painting. We also have a range of techniques courses including Colour-mixing for artists, and Drawing: colour pastel techniques.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual3030418Painting from plants and flowers349349https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/m/vm081-paint-plants-flowers-img1-1080_29.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-11-02T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Art & designVM024349349Painting from plants and flowers279227349Ro Sylvesterpainting-from-plants-and-flowers/vm024-2627Explore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.0000-Available|2026-11-02 00:00:00You will be introduced to a selection of different painting media and techniques to describe and observe plants and flowers through inventive mark-making, mixing colour and working to different scale. You will be encouraged to take an experimental approach taking inspiration from a variety of exciting contemporary artists.Explore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.<p>We will look at the history and techniques of painting flowers and plants, working with a wide variety of materials including gouache and watercolour, plus soft pastels and acrylic paint.</p><ul><li>Identifying and simplifying complex forms in plants and flowers</li><li>Building skills in colour mixing and matching form observation.</li><li>Examining the effects of light on a range of natural forms. </li><li>Varied and inventive methods of paint application and mark-making using colour-media.</li><li>Working at different scales, and on a variety of coloured or textured grounds.</li></ul><p>Each week we will look at different artists' techniques to inspire a personal response.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Confidently analyse and simplify complex organic forms.</li><li>Mix and match observed colour in a range of media.</li><li>Make inventive use of mark-making to communicate different characteristics of natural living forms.</li><li>Work at different scales and on a variety of coloured or textured grounds.</li><li>Develop personal compositions and interpretations inspired by different artists' who use plants and flowers as their subject matter.</li></ul>Beginners are welcome but some experience of drawing or painting is useful.Group and one to one tuition, demonstrations and looking at images from other artists. The course will be hands on, with a bit of discussion to facilitate understanding. The use of a sketchbook to record your thoughts and develop your work will be encouraged, and basic research methods discussed.<p>All basic art materials and a selection of plants and flowers will be provided. In discussion with your tutor, there may also be an opportunity to bring in flowers to share in project work.</p><p>You can progress onto a variety of observational painting courses such as <em>Painting 1</em> or <em>Painting 2</em>. Alternatively you might progress to <em>Watercolour painting</em>: f<em>ocus on nature and colour,</em> or <em>Drawing into watercolour painting</em>. We also have a range of techniques courses including <em>Painting: colour-mixing for artists</em>, and <em>Drawing: colour pastel techniques</em>.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual239,279299,349194,227VH954,VM024NONEMon22/06/26 - 27/07/2614:00 - 17:0014:0017:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAnne-Marie Foster,Ro SylvesterBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-22T00:00:00+00:00,2026-11-02T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJun 2026,Nov 2026Art & design299299,349Painting from plants and flowerspainting-from-plants-and-flowers/vh954-2526,painting-from-plants-and-flowers/vm024-2627Explore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.0000-Available|2026-06-22 00:00:00You will be introduced to a selection of different painting media and techniques to describe and observe plants and flowers through inventive mark-making, mixing colour and working to different scale. You will be encouraged to take an experimental approach taking inspiration from a variety of exciting contemporary artists.Explore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.<p>We will look at the history and techniques of painting flowers and plants working with a wide variety of materials including gouache and watercolour, plus soft pastels and acrylic paint.</p><p>Each week we will look at different artist techniques to inspire a personal response.</p>,<p>We will look at the history and techniques of painting flowers and plants, working with a wide variety of materials including gouache and watercolour, plus soft pastels and acrylic paint.</p><ul><li>Identifying and simplifying complex forms in plants and flowers</li><li>Building skills in colour mixing and matching form observation.</li><li>Examining the effects of light on a range of natural forms. </li><li>Varied and inventive methods of paint application and mark-making using colour-media.</li><li>Working at different scales, and on a variety of coloured or textured grounds.</li></ul><p>Each week we will look at different artists' techniques to inspire a personal response.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Confidently select and simplify complex forms</li><li>Mix and match observed colour in a range of media</li><li>Make inventive use of mark-making to communicate different characteristics of natural forms.</li><li>Work on different scales.</li><li>Work on a variety of coloured grounds and textures.</li><li>Develop personal compositions and interpretations</li></ul>,<ul><li>Confidently analyse and simplify complex organic forms.</li><li>Mix and match observed colour in a range of media.</li><li>Make inventive use of mark-making to communicate different characteristics of natural living forms.</li><li>Work at different scales and on a variety of coloured or textured grounds.</li><li>Develop personal compositions and interpretations inspired by different artists' who use plants and flowers as their subject matter.</li></ul>Beginners are welcome but some experience of drawing or painting is useful.Group and one to one tuition, demonstrations and looking at images from other artists. The course will be hands on, with a bit of discussion to facilitate understanding. The use of a sketchbook to record your thoughts and develop your work will be encouraged, and basic research methods discussed.<p>All basic art materials and a selection of plants and flowers will be provided. In discussion with your tutor, there may also be an opportunity to bring in flowers to share in project work.</p><p>You can progress onto a variety of observational painting courses such as Painting 1 or Painting 2. Alternatively you might progress to Watercolour painting studio: nature and colour, or Drawing into watercolour painting. We also have a range of techniques courses including Colour-mixing for artists, and Drawing: colour pastel techniques.</p>,<p>You can progress onto a variety of observational painting courses such as <em>Painting 1</em> or <em>Painting 2</em>. Alternatively you might progress to <em>Watercolour painting</em>: f<em>ocus on nature and colour,</em> or <em>Drawing into watercolour painting</em>. We also have a range of techniques courses including <em>Painting: colour-mixing for artists</em>, and <em>Drawing: colour pastel techniques</em>.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesconfigurable
