Botanical Painting Course

Are you an intermediate or experienced botanical artist wanting to develop or hone your existing skills?

Do you need to get your botanical painting going again?

Brush up your observation and painting skills and learn new challenging methods to accurately illustrate using traditional painting techniques.

Simon tutors in a very innovative style that differs from most UK botanical art tutors. Using the digital drawing capabilities of Photoshop, Simon will change something for the sake of making it better. Showing students on a digital version of their own artwork where improvements can be made, how to improve details and understand the importance of accurate observation.

Prospectus and Enrolment Form 2025

Enrolment times are flexible throughout the year. Places are limited but due to small teaching numbers enrolments can be accepted any month of the year.

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About the Course -
Simon Williams launched his course in 2022 focusing on botanical painting with an optional interest in nature, plants and pollinators or insect studies for some of the projects, depending on one's preferred interest. The course is set around a series of 6 practical projects to complete in drawing, perspective, textures and techniques, flora and fauna and a final project focusing on biodiversity. This could cover rare, exotic, endangered or symbiotic partnerships as topic choices. Your final artwork at the end of each project will be posted to Simon for evaluation and critique.

Very few UK botanical tutors use the same method Simon works in. More often, they will rely on video demonstrations. There are huge advantages to digitally modified visuals over video. For example, by using Photoshop, a painting composition can be completely deconstructed and put together in a more visually pleasing layout. Leaf venations can be redrawn, tapered and corrected and even outline drawings can be improved. Something that cannot be broken down through video demonstrations.
This ‘new version’ visual can be emailed to the learner to aid progress and development.

If this course sounds appealing to you, please download a prospectus and enrolment form available above and return the enrolment form to Simon, either via email or post. Contact Simon directly if you have any questions.
Email: simon@swillustrations.com

This course has been developed to help you improve your existing skills, challenge and fulfil your painting ambitions.
Working in either watercolour or gouache, modules are set based around a combination of botanical and natural history topics to choose from.

Individual Zoom consultations are held at the beginning of each project to discuss any ideas you have. Advise will be given during the consultations about your project and techniques relating to subject choice. A 30 - 45min, approx' consultation via Zoom, will be scheduled at the beginning and every 4 weeks into your project.
This time should be used to discuss your progress and also talk about any difficulties you may be having with painting techniques.

You will need to have some experience in botanical art or natural history painting and must have the willingness to pursue a precise rather than loose style of painting.

Simon will endeavour to give you confidence in your own ability, hone your existing skills and help you to achieve brilliance in your artwork.

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