Botanical Illustration Certificate Program
Designed to provide a certificate in the classical approaches and disciplines of botanical illustration, this program teaches you to draw and paint plants in a technically detailed manner. Drawing on the Garden’s mission to engage people with the natural world, our courses emphasize proper set-up of live specimens, accurate drawing, correct depiction of tone and value, and work in the traditional media of pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink and watercolor.
We are excited to announce details about the revised program! Program enrollment will resume this fall. Scroll down for program details. View current Botanical Illustration courses.
Seeing Nature Botanical Illustration Biennial Exhibition
The 2026 biennial Botanical Illustration exhibit, “Seeing Nature” features 35 botanical artworks in graphite, watercolor, colored pencil, and mixed media by students, graduates, and instructors of the Garden’s Botanical Illustration Certificate Program. View the Exhibit in the Ginter Gallery II in the Kelly Education Center from September 1 – November 2, 2026.
The Program:
Complete the Core Curriculum courses, participate in elective classes, participate in a skills assessment review and complete a final project to earn the certificate.
View the current season’s available courses and link to online registration.
Revised Curriculum
Core Classes (required)
- Botanical Art History (3 hrs.)
- Introduction to Botanical Drawing I (20 hrs.)
- Botanical Drawing II (20 hrs.)
- Botanical Drawing III (20 hrs.)
- Botany for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)
- Color Mixing for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)
- Composition (20 hrs.)
- Introduction to Watercolor for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)
- Introduction to Pen & Ink (20 hrs.)
- Colored Pencil I (20 hrs.)
All courses except Botanical Art History and Introduction to Botanical Drawing I have pre-requisites. These are noted in the online class descriptions.
Midpoint Skills Assessment
(scheduled after completion of the above core classes)
Additional Required Classes
- Intermediate Watercolor for Botanical Illustration (20 hrs.)
- Color Pencil II (20 hrs.)
- 2 Advanced Watercolor for Botanical Illustration Workshops (20 hrs. each = 40 hrs. total)
Electives (Minimum of 60 hours)
A selection of elective courses is offered each season, along with Core Curriculum courses. View the current season’s available courses and link to online registration.
Final Portfolio Review
Program Details:
Current hours required: Minimum 303
Cost: Enrollment in the certificate program is free. Classes cost between $12-$15 per hour, plus materials, if provided. Per hour cost for guest artist instruction may run higher.
Advisor Program: As an enrollee, you are assigned an advisor after your midpoint skills assessment workshop who is available to guide you and act as a resource while you complete the work that will be reviewed for your final presentation.
Primary Instructors: Sheila Hayden, John Hayden, Stephey Baker, Claudette Baker, Judith Towers, Gail Goodrich Harwood
To enroll: Complete and submit the GES Botanical Illustration enrollment form following participation in Botanical Drawing II. Enrollments for the revised program will open in fall 2026.
Want to learn more about the Garden’s historic botanical illustration examples? Visit our Library to explore the Garden’s collection of significant botanical paintings by A. Descubes and the Imperial Edition of Reichenbachia: Orchids Illustrated and Described.
Available Courses for the Current Season
View the current available schedule of classes for Botanical Illustration and link to online registration for all available classes.
Explore Art in the Garden Classes
Check out Art in the Garden for a variety of classes open to all that will enhance your understanding and appreciation for the natural world, teach new skills, and allow you to enjoy the company of like-minded artists!
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