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! Generally 10 students maximum but please 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 or 3 days
Watercolour experience is needed
THIS COURSE IS 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 a dissected flower
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. Option 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. Learn ow to create good 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!"
Composition workshop NEW for 2025
2 or 3 days
Drawing experience is needed
Composition is an important part of botanical illustration. When we think about composition it can sometimes be very hard to know what’s good and what’s bad. There are obvious things which stick out such as crossing stems, a cluttered page, things touching too closely, an even numbers of elements, instead of odd, as well as other things like a badly drawn subject, botany not being considered, painting too close to the mounting margin, unclear colour rendering etc. You will be learning some useful techniques and rules to help you compose your work more easily in the future.
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.
Autumn Leaves - the golden palette
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.
Woodland treasures, fungi and lichen
2 days
Watercolour experience needed​
There are so many beautiful things to collect and paint in the Autumn. Painting fungi is all about fine detailing, blemishes, patterning, gills and sometimes very subtle colour tones. Lichen is a most interesting twisted and gnarled subject to paint too. Even a piece of bark fallen from a tree, can make a wonderful painting. So, go collecting and join me for some Autumn treasure fun! You will receive my helpful guidance throughout the workshop. Bring fungi, wood, lichen or whatever you can find. BEWARE of poisonous fungi, take an expert with you if you are unsure. Most fungi are safe to collect though, wash your hands after handling.
Luscious Fruit - patterns, textures and colour
2 days
Watercolour experience needed
On this course we are going to learn how to paint some luscious fruits. With every fruit there are things to be considered. For example: highlights, shadows, reflected light, bloom, colour, texture, patterning and of course shape and form. Patterns, textures and colour are common in fruits so it is a lovely subject to explore and refine your skills! Bring a fruits of your choice. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Dainty Snowdrops - secrets of white flowers NEW for 2025
1 or 2 days
Watercolour experience needed
On this course we are going to learn how to paint some pretty snowdrops. White flowers are the hardest to show depth as they appear to be without colour. However, this is not the case as there are many different pale shadow colours needed to make these beauties stand out on the page.
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Painting Dark subjects - darkness revealed NEW for 2025
1 or 2 day option
Watercolour experience is needed
Dark coloured subjects can be daunting to paint as retaining highlights and creating depth can be tricky. The course aims to teach students how to observe detail and retain form where highlights and shadows appear to disappear or seem non-existent! With my help you will master the skills to paint dark, by creating darkness with light!
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Butterflies and Moths - detail and colours
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. These beautiful insects are full of texture, fury-ness and colour. Techniques will be demonstrated and I will give you lots of help throughout the day. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Pen and Ink Illustration, with watercolour wash
1 or 2 days (watercolour wash is the 2 day option)
All levels welcome
This media is so therapeutic and fairly fast compared to watercolour painting. 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. There is an option to add a watercolour wash if you book a two day course. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep. Bring along some interesting natural history subjects; seed heads, fungi, wood, pine cones, acorns etc. or seaside treasures.
Fascinating 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.
Seaside Treasures
2 days
Watercolour experience is needed
Choose from my large selection of shells and seaside subjects. 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 or 2 days
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. On the two day option it would be possible to paint a little composition of berries. Includes detailed course notes for you to keep.
Garlic and Onions - no tears please!
1 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.
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.
More subjects are available, please email me to make your suggestions and I will do my best to accommodate you!
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