Scottish Society of Botanical Artists (SSBA)
The society was formed on the 18th June 2014 by a group of enthusiastic botanical artists from a variety of backgrounds with the aim of creating a botanical art society in Scotland that would be open to all.
The SSBA, as a Registered Charity (SC045778), is dedicated to nurturing and promoting botanical art, while respecting its traditions.
We aim to provide a forum to share and disseminate knowledge and expertise in all aspects of botanical art; encouraging a high standard of artistic achievement and providing a platform for the exhibition of botanical art in Scotland.
News
Capturing Autumn – Fruits, Nuts, Squashes and Seedheads
Where: The Old Brewery, Cromarty, The Black Isle
When: October 25th & 26th 2025 from 10am to 4pm
Cost: The cost is £170 for SSBA members and £190 for non-members. This includes tea/coffee and a ‘pack lunch’ each day.
Accommodation is available at the Old Brewery for workshop participants.
Autumn workshop with botanical artist Julie Price
Autumn rewards us with a wonderful array of brightly coloured berries, vegetables and seedheads. In this two-day watercolour course, Julie will focus on accurate observation and drawing, using various watercolour techniques so that you can create a selection of subjects from shiny berries to unusually shaped squashes and seedheads.
You can complete various subjects as a composition or one individual study.
Guidance will be on a one-to-one basis and in a group setting with demonstrations using seasonal subject matter. Reference materials will be available, and you are welcome to bring along your own botanical subject or project which you may wish to develop. The course is designed to help you improve your existing skills in watercolour and move you to the next level of detail in your work.
It is not suitable for complete beginners. Places are limited to 10.
The cost is £170 for SSBA members and £190 for non-members. This includes tea/coffee and a ‘pack lunch’ each day. Accommodation is available at the Old Brewery for workshop participants.
For availability or more information please contact Julie Price via director@thessba.org
Coloured Pencil Workshop with Marion Wilson SBA Fellow
Where: The studio, in The Crichton Centre Dumfries, DG1 4TA
When: Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April
Cost: Numbers are limited to 10 and the cost of the workshop is £170.00 for SSBA members and £180.00 for non-members. This includes tea, coffee and lunch each day.
Accommodation if needed is available in the Holiday Inn on site, or nearby B&Bs if you prefer.
Workshop Programme.
Saturday 10am – 12.30
Introduction to choosing and drawing the subject.
Discussion of merits of types of paper.
Different Pencil qualities.
1.30 – 4pm Choosing colours and recording them.
Demonstration of different methods of laying down colour.
Individual help with students work.
Sunday
10am – 12.30 Demonstration of detail and methods of erasing.
Undershading method
1.30 – 4pm Demonstration of finishing touches and detail.
Continuing work.
Looking at results and ways to improve.
What to bring: cartridge paper, watercolour paper, pencil, magnifying glass, artists colour pencils if you have any On receipt of your application form we will confirm your booking and provide payment details
Click here to book
We are delighted to announce that we have received a grant of £2,000 from the William Syson Foundation.
The William Syson Foundation was established in 2012. An enthusiastic and long-time supporter of music and the visual arts, particularly in Scotland, William Syson’s objective in setting up the Foundation was to help provide opportunities for practice and enjoyment of the arts, and to assist and encourage the country’s next generation of musical and artistic talent.
The support provided by the Foundation will help us secure and provide the exhibition facilities for botanical artists across Scotland and the public access to the World Wide Day of Botanical Art and the Botanical Scotia exhibition in 2025.
AS a Charity THe SSBA is solely funded by money raised through membership and exhibitions, if you would like to donate to us please use the following forms :
Our grateful thanks to The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society https://thecaley.org.uk/ and Giclee UK for their ongoing support.
Thank to the Finnis Scott Foundation for the Biennial award that funded the Introductory and Intermediate Botanical Art workshops in Aviemore and Dumfries from 2022 to 2024.