Photo Credit: Ruth Wharrier
Level 4 Certificate in Botanical Drawing and Painting
Ruth Wharrier’s adventurous course will do more than help build the art of botanical illustration. It will encourage intimate attention to plants, which is the key to understanding and respecting them.
About the course
A unique opportunity to study botanical illustration within Carlton Marshes nature reserve with experienced botanical artist and illustrator, Ruth Wharrier. This level 4 certificate in Botanical Drawing and Painting provides learners with the knowledge and skills required to develop a wide range of skills in botanical painting and illustration.
Course participants will receive tuition in botanical drawing and painting techniques, composition, botany, historical context and field skills. Environmental and ecological awareness and natural history are integral aspects of the course.
Based in the new visitors centre at Carlton Marshes, participants will have a unique opportunity to study and explore the rich natural resources of the nature reserve through field work. In addition, opportunities will be given to access research facilities and explore a contrasting cultivated environment within formal gardens for the study of cultivated plant subjects.
This qualification will enable learners to go on to further study in botanical fine art or illustration.
Level 4 Botanical Art Students Work - Rosa Rogosa 'Beach Rose'
Level 4 Botanical Art Students Work - Rosa ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’
Level 4 Botanical Art Course student's work - Pea Family study
L4 students at The John Innes archive
Level 4 students at The John Innes archive
Students on the course at the Carlton Marshes Visitor Centre
Parrot Tulip by Ruth Wharrier
Rose by Ruth Wharrier
Iris by Ruth Wharrier
Level 4 Botanical Illustration students at work
Level 4 Botanical Illustration students at work
Level 4 Botanical Art Course student's work - Rose family study
Level 4 Botanical Art School student's work - grass family study
Join our next course
Our next Level 4 course commences January 2024.
We also offer one day leisure sketching courses, Level 1 & Level 2 Botanical Drawing and masterclasses.
Please see the event feed at the bottom of this page.
What you will learn
You will learn so many amazing illustration techniques on this course that will help you blossom into a botanical artist.
Watercolour painting techniques and Advanced watercolour skills
Control of materials: water, paint and paper.
Traditional watercolour painting skills used by botanical artists: laying washes, superimposed washes and graduated washes.
Form and finishing: through layering of washes and dry brush to create form and detail.
Effective use of colour: colour theory and the basics of mixing and/or layering colour.
Fine brush work for detail and 3-dimentional effect.
Advanced wash and dry brush techniques.
Painting on vellum.
Understanding and working with colour including the application of surface textures such as velvet and bloom.
Drawing Techniques
Drawing techniques using graphite pencil and paper.
Basic principles of perspective: to include drawing flowers and leaves in perspective.
Form: using light to render the third dimension.
Coloured pencil techniques.
Pen and Ink techniques.
Botany
Course members will learn about basic botany, plant families and dissection with the course tutor and a Suffolk Wildlife Trust member of staff.
Observation: learning basic flower and plant structure through observing and recording.
Drawing: understanding what is relevant to record and the associated conventions.
Botany assignment
Fieldwork sketchbook assignment.
Historical Context
All course members will learn about the historical context of botanical drawing and painting through the study of artists, explorers and scientists who made contributions to the world of botanical painting and illustration. Access to archives, tutorials and personal research will enable them to create an assignment on a chosen artist.
Working out in the field
Throughout the year, course members will keep a sketchbook and be shown methods and techniques for field sketching. The sketchbook will become an ongoing journal for sketching the seasons and will be submitted at the end of the course to be considered alongside assignment credits.
Talks on Botanical conservation and guided walk of Carlton Marshes reserve.
Field work will be carried out on site at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve.
In contrast, opportunities will be given to explore a contrasting cultivated environment at Somerleyton Hall Gardens. Students will be able to talk to the gardeners and horticulturalist about cultivar plants.
Composition and aesthetics
Composition: balance of line, form and colour and associated conventions.
Pushing the boundaries in contemporary composition.
Entry Requirements
Although there is no formal level of qualification necessary for entry to this course, there is a need to demonstrate a high level of motivation and personal commitment to botanical illustration. People who join the course will embark on a steep learning curve.
Students will need to demonstrate a pre-existing level of skill in drawing and painting, particularly in observational drawing. Places are extremely limited (10 students) and so initial selection will be through assessment of artwork. by submission of 3 pieces.
Potential students simply need to photograph and send (by email or post) three examples of their observational drawing. The work can be all pencil, but may also include an example of watercolour.
Students should also demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for the subject
Course Duration
1 day per week (5 hours) guided learning over 3 terms. 36 weeks (term time)
In addition, students should allocate additional time during the week to complete coursework.
Mondays 10am – 3pm. Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve
Followed by 6 months to complete the final assignment. Students will receive tutorials at intervals to assist and direct progress.
Classwork and Assignments
All work practiced in class will be kept in a portfolio along with assignments. In addition, the course member’s sketchbook and historical essay will be considered in the final assessment of their coursework assignments.
Ten assignments will be judged on a modular basis: this means that each assignment will carry marks which will count towards the total marks at the end of the course.
Assessment, Quality Assurance and Graduation
Assignments will be marked and assessed by the course director/tutor, Ruth Wharrier and the course botanist. Formative and summative internal and external qulaity assurance will be carried out to ensure accurate judgements are reached. Module and assignment criteria will be shared with students throughout the course.
Successful course members will receive their Level 4 certificate at an award ceremony.
About Ruth Wharrier PGCE, BA (Hons), EGS
Ruth was born in the North East of England and now lives in East Anglia. She originally studied English at Newcastle University and then trained to become a teacher at Durham University. After a few years in adult and primary education, Ruth decided to return to her first love and pursue a career in natural history painting, illustration and tuition. In 2008 she studied for and received the prestigious Diploma in Botanical Illustration from the Chelsea Physic Garden in London. Since then, Ruth has exhibited throughout East Anglia.
Ruth works from her studio in Pakefield and holds botanical painting workshops throughout East Anglia for arts centres and the River Waveney and Suffolk Wildlife Trusts. Ruth works in watercolour and gouache on paper, wood and vellum. She also creates etchings and works in pen and ink.
Botanical art and natural history illustration bring together art, maths and science in the live setting that is the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Being curious is the first step to introducing visitors, young and not-so young to the delights of investigation, recording and drawing the features of the flora and fauna around us. Ruth Wharrier is an excellent teacher, botanical artist and wildlife illustrator whose passion brings drawings and paintings alive on the page.Botanical Artist, Teacher & Principle, Chelsea School of Botanical Art, 2014 - 2018
Fortunate students, to study this centuries-old practice amidst the abundant source of inspiration provided by Carlton Marshes, coupled with Ruth's extensive knowledge and passion for her subject.
Author, Broadcaster and Patron of the Mammal Society.
Capturing the Seasons - Field Sketchbook workshop Summer
Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Lowestoft, Suffolk
Capturing the Seasons - Field Sketchbook workshop Summer Monday
Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Lowestoft, Suffolk
Level 2 Botanical Drawing
Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Lowestoft, Suffolk
Capturing the Seasons - Field Sketchbook workshop Autumn
Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre,
Lowestoft, Suffolk