a botanical sketchbook study course at kew gardens.
Back in April of this year I had the incredible opportunity to attend the ‘Botanical Sketchbook Study: Intermediate’ course at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in London. This course offered a perfect blend of art and botany, drawing in fellow plant enthusiasts and artists alike. The class was taught by the wonderful botanical artist Lucy Smith who shared her work and process with us over the three day course.
Our classroom had a stunning view overlooking The Palm House and lake in Kew Gardens.
As someone who has always harboured a deep love for both plants and painting, this experience was a natural fit for me. Kew Gardens, with its vast array of botanical specimens, provided the ideal backdrop for honing my skills in watercolour and observational drawing. Although the class was ‘intermediate’ my fellow students and I had varying levels of experience and we all felt comfortable with the content and pace of the course.
My sketchbook and plant sample.
The course focused on drawing from live specimens, allowing us to connect with the natural beauty around us, and I chose to study this vibrant orange Ornithogalum plant. Sketching live plant specimens not only challenges your artistic abilities but also deepens your understanding of their forms, colours, and structures. Directly observing the intricate details of leaves, flowers, and stems opened my eyes to the complexities of botanical illustration, and the patience needed to capture their form and beauty.
Lucy Smith demonstrating plant dissection to the 'Botanical Sketchbook Study: Intermediate’ class at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.
Throughout the course, I worked on improving my sketching and watercolour techniques, with constructive feedback from Lucy guiding my progress. I experimented with wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry watercolouring techniques, layering colours to express light filtering through petals, and capturing the subtleties of shadow and depth.
A dissected flower of an Ornithogalum plant prepared for viewing under a microscope.
As the course progressed we explored the dissection of plant matter, a practice that brought a scientific aspect to our artistic pursuit. This hands-on approach allowed us to engage with the anatomy of plants in a way that books cannot replicate.
Attending this course not only enhanced my artistic skills but also strengthened my connection to the world of plants. The serene setting of Kew Gardens and the passion for botanical art of my fellow classmates created an inspiring atmosphere that nurtured creativity. I fell completely in love with Kew Gardens and have been back since to further explore the vast gardens.
A pencil and watercolour sketch of an Ornithogalum plant by Nicki Miles.
As I reflect on this enriching experience, I am excited to continue nurturing my passion for botanical art. The lessons learned and the connections made at Kew Gardens have stayed with me long after the course concluded. I highly encourage anyone with a love for plants and a desire to develop their artistic skills to consider similar opportunities that immerse you in the beauty of nature.
More information on this course and other courses at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew can be found here.