Botanical and Natural History Painting Course

Are you an intermediate or experienced artist wanting to develop your skills in the discipline of botanical and natural history painting?

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.

About the Course -
Simon Williams launched a course in 2022 to focus on botanical and natural history painting. 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 which can 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.

Simon’s tutoring methods differ to most botanical art tutors because Simon prefers to focus a lot more on the advanced capabilities of Photoshop to show students, on their own images where improvements can be made, how to improve details and understand the importance of accurate observation.

Very few botanical tutors use this method and 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 complete deconstructed and put together in a more visually pleasing layout. Leaf venations can be redrawn, tapered and corrected and even linear outline drawings can be improved. Something that cannot be broken down through video.
This ‘new version’ visual can be emailed to the learner to aid progress and development.

Downloadable Prospectus and Enrolment Form
Enrolment deadline 31st July 2023 for 1st September 2023 start date

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

“To have visuals provided in this way has been extremely useful to my students. Tutoring this way will be a significant feature to my Course and one that I believe enhances a students' learning experience. Often, I provide comparisons for students with before and after amendments to help highlight how my advice would benefit”.

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 this consultation on your project and techniques relating to subject choice. A second 30 minute consultation via Zoom, Email, Whatsapp or telephone will be scheduled 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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