WORKSHOPS I OFFER
I offer a selection of different workshops, some are listed below. If you require a particular subject not listed, please do contact me to discuss!
All my workshops include a set of detailed notes to take home.
Basic Botany and Flower Studies (includes flower dissection)
2 days
Watercolour experience is needed
BETTER DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY - AUG!
We will study plant form (plants brought into the workshop and provided by myself) and learn a little botany which is essential to make an accurate drawing of plant species. During the two days, you will create a plant study page that will include botany description details and a dissected flower painting. We will use reference books and my detailed course notes to work with. I will demonstrate flower dissection and you will have a chance to practice this (tools provided) yourself. You will learn how to draw a half-dissected flower accurately. You will also have a chance to look at flower reproductive parts under a microscope. This is a great way to learn how to draw plants accurately and understand their anatomy!
This workshop is also available as a one-day course which does not include making a study page as there would not be time. Bring a flowering plant. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Dissecting and Illustrating Flowers
1 day
Watercolour experience is needed
THIS COURSE IS BETTER DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY - AUG
On this course, I will teach you how to dissect a flower and make an accurate dissection drawing in the correct scientific way. The course also teaches the botanical terms to understand the structure of different flowers. All botany is explained in an easy-to-understand way and includes course notes for you to keep. The basic materials are supplied but you can buy your very own dissection kit for £12. Helpful and friendly tuition all day. Bring flowers. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Botanical Illustration Course
4 or 5 days
Watercolour and drawing experience is required
A useful course if you are considering entering the RHS exhibition
Learn about Botanical Illustration with my help on hand all through the course. During this workshop, we will learn how to take time to really look at a subject, make an accurate drawing, build a composition, study colour and learn how to paint your subject beautifully. You will work on a single plant subject from beginning to end with on hand tuition at every step.
• Study a plant and draw it with accurate botany
• Make a sketch page with colour swatches, drawings, measurements and botany notes
• Research botanical plant keys and understand botany terms
​• Make a scientifically accurate composition
• Use watercolour to achieve good colour rendering and values (colour mixing help is available, as needed)
Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Colour Mixing Theory with a Limited Palette
1 day
No experience is needed
A little about colour theory is discussed to start with then with a limited six-colour palette you will explore how to mix the many colours available to you. We will practice beige tones, greys, warm and cool variations and how to make bright mixes. At the end of the day, you will make a swatch of mixes matched to a small plant. Plants need to be brought in by students. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Achieving Colour Vibrancy and Contrast
2 days
Watercolour experience is needed
More about colour theory covering how to achieve vibrancy and good contrast in painting. Pigment qualities will be explained and depth of colour demonstrated using the layering technique. Shadow tones and contrasts will be demonstrated showing how to achieve better depth in painting. All techniques will be practised by students during the 2 day workshop. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Fine Details and Finishing Techniques
2 days
Watercolour experience is needed
Learn watercolour techniques for painting the finest details and achieving colour accuracy to create form and value definition. We will work with a small subject from start to finish with my attentive help along the way. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
“Paint one small thing beautifully and you will learn so much! Venturing into a huge botanical work before you're ready, will lead to frustration and disappointment. Baby steps lead to great strides!"
Painting Seed heads and Faded Autumn Treasures
2 days
Watercolour experience is needed
On this course, we will learn how to create those beautiful autumn hues found in faded plants and seedheads. Master the beige and earthy tones palette! Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Drawing Leaves - perspectives and shapes
1 day
All levels welcome
Leaves can be one of the trickiest things to draw. On this one-day workshop, I will show you the techniques to accurately draw leaves and master foreshortening. Bring a selection of leaves. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Painting Leaves, shapes - colour and form
2 days
Watercolour experience needed
Leaves are the trickiest things to paint and I have to admit they are not one of my favourite subjects! It is, however, very good to know the techniques to make a leaf look realistic with the correct colours and form. On this two-day workshop, I will show you the techniques to accurately paint leaves. Bring a selection of leaves. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Painting Autumn Leaves
2 days
Watercolour experience needed
Painting Autumn Leaves is all about golden colours, fine detailing, blemishes and patterning. They are one of the most beautiful subjects to paint! You will receive my helpful guidance throughout the workshop. Select a leaf from my collection or bring your own specimen. Leaves may be attached to a small branch.
Painting Fungi
2 days
Watercolour experience needed​
Learn a little about the world of fungi and their importance to the environment. Painting fungi is all about fine detailing, blemishes, patterning, gills and sometimes very subtle colour tones. A most interesting subject to paint! You will receive my helpful guidance throughout the workshop! Select a fungi of your choice from my specimens or your own specimens.
Painting Fruit - patterns, textures and colour
2 days
Watercolour experience needed
Learn how to paint a Pear beautifully and then go on to paint a fruit subject of your choice. Patterns, textures and colour are common in fruits so it is a lovely subject to explore and refine your skills! Bring a fruit of your choice and a Pear. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Beginners watercolour for botanical - Coming soon!
1 day
Beginners welcome
Learn how to use watercolour by learning various techniques that are essential for botanical illustration. The course will cover application techniques, layering, colour toning, fine detailing, highlights and shadowing. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Painting Butterflies and Moths
2 days
Watercolour experience is needed
Choose from my large selection of butterfly and moth specimens and learn how to paint these beautiful insects in watercolour. Techniques will be demonstrated and lots of help throughout the day. I have a large collection to choose from or bring your own. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Paint a Peacock Butterfly
1 day
Watercolour experience is needed
Learn how to draw and paint this beautiful butterfly in watercolour. Techniques will be demonstrated and lots of help throughout the day. The drawing from a template supplied will need to be done in advance. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Pen and Ink Illustration
1 or 2 days
All levels welcome
This media is so useful to master and helpful when drawing flower dissections or detailed and refined botanical sketches of plants. Using Uni-pin fine liners or a dip pen, we will make drawings of plants or nature subjects, then learn how to create texture and apply dots or lines to create form. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Painting Feathers
1 day
Watercolour experience is needed
Learn how to paint a beautiful feather in the finest detail with my undivided help throughout the day. Various subjects to choose from or bring your own.
Painting Seaside Treasures
2 days
Watercolour experience is needed
Choose from my large selection of shells and seaside subjects or bring your own. Learn how to draw shells accurately and paint them to reflect their unique forms. Other subjects like crabs, seaweeds and mermaid purses can be painted too. I have a lot of subjects to choose from or bring your own. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Perfect Berries
1 day
Watercolour experience is needed
Learn how to paint perfect tree or fruit berries using my techniques for achieving shine and good colour values. Bring your own berries or select from mine. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Paint a Strawberry
1 day or 2 day option
Watercolour experience is needed
Doesn't everyone just want to paint a strawberry!.... but they seem so hard. I will show you the techniques and colour mix tones needed to paint your very own strawberry. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep. Helpful, friendly and prompt tuition all day! Bring strawberries.
Painting Garlic and Onions
1 day or 2 day option
Watercolour experience is needed
Learn how to paint the papery skins of onions and garlic with my guidance all through the course. This workshop is better as a two-day course to ensure a lot of painting can be done. Various subjects to choose from or bring your own. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Wet-in-wet technique
1 day
Watercolour experience is needed
Master this useful technique with my help. See how colour can be built up quickly on the first layers saving time and creating a great backdrop to your painting before adding in the fine details. Various subjects to choose from or bring your own. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Many more subjects are available, please email me to make your suggestions and I will do my best to accommodate you!