“Back to Basics” – Introduction to the Techniques used in Botanical Art

by | Dec 15, 2025 | Uncategorised

With tutor Lyn Campbell

We are pleased to announce a Beginners Course in Botanical Art open to members of the SSBA and members of the public who are interested in botanical art and in developing their skills. This is a 20 hour course run over 4 days in the McHattie Room at Saughton Park Gardens, Edinburgh.  Course numbers are limited to 12 so individual attention can be provided.

Link to the BOOKING FORM

 

Sunday 22nd February   Saturday 7th March

Sunday 22nd March        Saturday 11th April

 

All 10am to 3pm

© L Campbell

 

The course fees are £125 for SSBA members and £145 for non-members

DAY 1 – Measured Drawing & the Use of Tone to create shape and form  22/2/26

DRAWING
How to Measure – learn different methods to obtain accurate drawings (rulers, dividers etc.)
Importance of accuracy in Botanical Art.
Use of different pencils, hard to soft.

PRACTICAL – accurate line drawing of botanical specimen (e.g. Tomato or apple).

TONE
Tonal studies using hard and soft pencils to establish the importance of light and dark, highlights and contrast to give 3 dimensional form.

PRACTICAL – measure, draw and do tonal study (e.g. Garlic bulb or mushroom).

DAY 2 – Introduction to working with watercolour paint  7/3/26

Introduction to different types of paper, paint and brushes
Transparent, opaque paints etc.  Tubes/pans. Brushes, different qualities,  normal/miniature.
Mixing of paint.
Introduce basic watercolour technique of clear water, colour then blend.

PRACTICAL – painting in Sepia – circles, tubes, etc. to practice technique. Then subject such as Garlic bulb ormushroom.

DAY 3 – Painting with Watercolour   22/3/26

Revision of colours, transparency and opaque etc.
Colour mixing and matching to subject and the importance of accuracy.

PRACTICAL – Measure, draw and paint plant material.  (e.g. Selection of leaves).

DAY 4 – Painting of selected subject  11/4/26

Revise accurate drawing and importance of colour matching.

PRACTICAL – select subject then draw and paint (e.g. Apples, plums, asparagus, small carrots, radish, peppers, etc.).

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Lyn Campbell BSc Hons, Dip BI RBGE

My professional career was as a Paediatric Physiotherapist and my interest in Botanical Illustration started when I attended a night class, Beginning Botanical Illustration, at the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE).

This was the first time since primary school I had done any drawing or painting, what a steep learning curve!  When I retired, I undertook the 2 year Diploma in Botanical Illustration at RBGE, graduating in 2010.

Since then, I have exhibited twice at the RHS Botanical Art Show in London, and three times at Botanical Images Scotia (BISCOT) in Edinburgh.

I started teaching on the Certificate in Botanical Teaching at RBGE in 2011. I then went on to teach various classes at RBGE at both Introductory and Intermediate levels and the week’s Introduction to Botanical Illustration held every summer.  More recently I have taught both the Introductory and Intermediate courses run by the SSBA in the north and south of Scotland.