Botanical Art & Illustration Certificate Classes

NYBG offered the first formal botanical art Certificate Program in North America and has remained a leader in the discipline for three decades. The program offers the opportunity to learn from some of the most extraordinary artists from around the world. The Botanical Art and Illustration requirements give students a solid foundation in scientifically accurate drawing based on observation and fine art techniques. Those who achieve the highest level of accomplishment receive a Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration with Honors, an indication of superior work.

Click here for an overview of the required courses and electives.


April

Building on Botanical Drawing I skills, learn to tone fruit, vegetables, leaves, and branches. Focus on concepts of light source, value, and shading to create form. Learn to translate color into black and white, and create the illusion of depth more...
234BIL302AO 04/11 Tu 6:00pm-9:00pm Vogel
ONLINE

Accurate observation translates into sensitive, realistic drawings and is an essential skill for botanical artists. Using basic shapes, fruit, and leaves, learn contour drawing with an emphasis on proportion, and explore techniques such as foreshortening, perspective, and line weight.
234BIL301AO 04/13 Th 6:00pm-9:00pm Nemergut
ONLINE

Forethought and an understanding of basic composition principles are the foundation of any balanced work of art. Through group critiques, discussions and a variety of exercises, we'll experiment with a wide range of principles, including focal point, the rule of more...
234BIL421AO 04/14 Fr 10:00am-3:00pm Rogers-Knox
ONLINE

Spring bursts with an array of glorious colors, especially those on the cool side of the spectrum—such as deep magenta, violet, lilac, purple, and more. Renowned botanical artist Margaret Best joins us from Canada in this 3-day online workshop to more...
234BIL461O 04/21 Fr 10:30am-4:00pm Best
ONLINE

Practice techniques learned in Botanical Watercolor I using live subjects such as leaves, stems, and fruit. Emphasis is on realistic portrayal of botanical subjects and traditional methods of dry brush watercolor painting, with attention to detail and color accuracy. more...
234BIL332O 04/24 Mo 5:30pm-8:30pm James
ONLINE

Using specimens from The Orchid Show, learn to paint the exquisite beauty of these delicate flowers. On day one, morphology expert Dick Rauh will guide you through the fine details and special adaptations of a wide variety of orchids. Then, more...
234BIL399BL 04/27 Th 10:00am-12:00pm Woodin
Rauh
BLENDED

May

Plants that "eat" animals have intrigued naturalists for centuries, from glistening sundews to vivid, almost erotic Venus flytraps. We'll focus specifically on accurately rendering the morphology of pitcher plants with their magnificent and intricately patterned, multicolored vases. Prerequisite: Botanical Drawing more...
234BIL389O 05/03 We 10:00am-12:00pm Rauh
ONLINE

Accurate observation translates into sensitive, realistic drawings and is an essential skill for botanical artists. Using basic shapes, fruit, and leaves, learn contour drawing with an emphasis on proportion, and explore techniques such as foreshortening, perspective, and line weight.
234BIL301BO 05/06 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm Rawlins
ONLINE

Bumblebees pilot their remarkably un-aerodynamic bodies in and out of our gardens all throughout spring and summer. In this class, you'll take a closer look at their anatomy and learn how to use colored pencil techniques to illustrate the "fuzzy" more...
234BIL396O 05/12 Fr 10:00am-1:00pm Reiner
ONLINE

This comprehensive class covers the basic techniques of botanical watercolor. Learn how to use your brushes to make smooth, underlying washes, as well as to create fine detail. Color theory will teach you how paints interact, and how to select more...
234BIL331AO 05/17 We 10:00am-1:00pm James
ONLINE

Building on Botanical Drawing I skills, learn to tone fruit, vegetables, leaves, and branches. Focus on concepts of light source, value, and shading to create form. Learn to translate color into black and white, and create the illusion of depth more...
234BIL302B 05/24 We 11:00am-2:00pm Wry
NYBG

Examine the enormous variety of forms and structural adaptations of flowering plants—the world's dominant plant group. Through lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory studies, learn to recognize and draw the many plant parts and growth stages of the most common plant families. more...
234BIL300AO 05/25 Th 5:30pm-8:00pm Rauh
ONLINE

June

Accurate observation translates into sensitive, realistic drawings and is an essential skill for botanical artists. Using basic shapes, fruit, and leaves, learn contour drawing with an emphasis on proportion, and explore techniques such as foreshortening, perspective, and line weight.
234BIL301CO 06/06 Tu 6:00pm-9:00pm Grossman
ONLINE

The focus of this course is on color theory and application. Colored pencil line and tone can be applied to look like either drawing or painting, making it a versatile medium for creating botanical artwork. Learn a variety of techniques, more...
234BIL415O 06/13 Tu 6:00pm-9:00pm Reiner
ONLINE

Internationally renowned botanical artist Billy Showell joins us from England for a special 3-day online workshop. A master of the wet-on-wet watercolor technique, Showell will guide you through her methods of washing, lifting, and re-washing to create velvety smooth roses, more...
234BIL446O 06/23 Fr 10:00am-3:30pm Showell
ONLINE

Accurate observation translates into sensitive, realistic drawings and is an essential skill for botanical artists. Using basic shapes, fruit, and leaves, learn contour drawing with an emphasis on proportion, and explore techniques such as foreshortening, perspective, and line weight.
234BIL301DO 06/29 Th 6:00pm-9:00pm Vogel
ONLINE

July

Pen and ink, among the most versatile and useful media, can be used to create high quality, easily reproducible drawings. Learn how to produce different strokes and how to create tone by using stipple, line, and crosshatch techniques.
241BIL400O 07/07 Fr 11:00am-2:00pm Morley
ONLINE

Building on Botanical Drawing I skills, learn to tone fruit, vegetables, leaves, and branches. Focus on concepts of light source, value, and shading to create form. Learn to translate color into black and white, and create the illusion of depth more...
241BIL302CO 07/08 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm Rawlins
ONLINE

Apply your understanding of contours, perspective, and tone to drawing three distinct types of flowers. The object is to accurately draw a fully toned flowering plant. Explore compositional possibilities, textures, and details.
241BIL303AO 07/13 Th 11:00am-2:00pm Nemergut
ONLINE

Learn how toned paper creates dimension and allows for vibrant colors, dramatic light, and dark application—bringing your subject to life. Using colored pencil, watercolor, and gouache, you'll explore a variety of painting techniques as you study the color shifts caused more...
241BIL359O 07/18 Tu 6:00pm-9:00pm Lyness
ONLINE

August

Accurate observation translates into sensitive, realistic drawings and is an essential skill for botanical artists. Using basic shapes, fruit, and leaves, learn contour drawing with an emphasis on proportion, and explore techniques such as foreshortening, perspective, and line weight.
241BIL301EO 08/03 Th 11:00am-2:00pm Fashek
ONLINE

Building on Botanical Drawing I skills, learn to tone fruit, vegetables, leaves, and branches. Focus on concepts of light source, value, and shading to create form. Learn to translate color into black and white, and create the illusion of depth more...
241BIL302DO 08/15 Tu 6:00pm-9:00pm Grossman
ONLINE

September

How do we show those fine hairs on a kiwi, that mottled pattern on a pear, or the juxtaposition of the hard exterior of a pomegranate with the softness of its seeds? Texture and pattern fall into an area of more...
241BIL424O 09/06 We 10:00am-1:00pm James
ONLINE

Building on Botanical Drawing I skills, learn to tone fruit, vegetables, leaves, and branches. Focus on concepts of light source, value, and shading to create form. Learn to translate color into black and white, and create the illusion of depth more...
241BIL302E 09/12 Tu 11:00am-2:00pm Wry
NYBG

Examine the enormous variety of forms and structural adaptations of flowering plants—the world's dominant plant group. Through lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory studies, learn to recognize and draw the many plant parts and growth stages of the most common plant families. more...
241BIL300BO 09/13 We 10:00am-12:30pm Rauh
ONLINE

This comprehensive class covers the basic techniques of botanical watercolor. Learn how to use your brushes to make smooth, underlying washes, as well as to create fine detail. Color theory will teach you how paints interact, and how to select more...
241BIL331BO 09/13 We 5:30pm-8:30pm Sapanara
ONLINE

Accurate observation translates into sensitive, realistic drawings and is an essential skill for botanical artists. Using basic shapes, fruit, and leaves, learn contour drawing with an emphasis on proportion, and explore techniques such as foreshortening, perspective, and line weight.
241BIL301FO 09/14 Th 6:00pm-9:00pm Fashek
ONLINE

Building on Botanical Drawing I skills, learn to tone fruit, vegetables, leaves, and branches. Focus on concepts of light source, value, and shading to create form. Learn to translate color into black and white, and create the illusion of depth more...
241BIL302FO 09/21 Th 11:00am-2:00pm Vogel
ONLINE

Apply your understanding of contours, perspective, and tone to drawing three distinct types of flowers. The object is to accurately draw a fully toned flowering plant. Explore compositional possibilities, textures, and details.
241BIL303BO 09/21 Th 5:30pm-8:30pm James
ONLINE

Forethought and an understanding of basic composition principles are the foundation of any balanced work of art. Through group critiques, discussions and a variety of exercises, we'll experiment with a wide range of principles, including focal point, the rule of more...
241BIL421BO 09/23 Sa 10:00am-3:00pm Rogers-Knox
ONLINE