Botanical Art in Watercolours

New to HKCC in Term 3!

Discover the beauty and precision of botanical art in this welcoming introductory course. Botanical art is a specialised art form that combines scientific accuracy with artistic expression, capturing the intricate details and natural beauty of plants.

Designed for all levels including, absolute beginners, this course will introduce you to the fundamental principles of botanical art through pencil sketching, shading, and watercolour techniques. Through a series of guided exercises, you will develop the confidence and skills needed to create your own botanical artwork.

Students will:

• Sketch botanical subjects with accurate proportion and detail
• Use light and tone to create form and depth through pencil shading
• Apply key detailing techniques used in botanical art
• Mix and apply watercolours to create subtle colour, light, and tone
• Add fine detail and realistic textures to botanical subjects
• Complete a botanical study using the core principles of botanical art

What to bring:

• Sketch Book: A4 or A5, spiral or stitched binding
• Paper: Watercolour paper: A4 Arches or any equivalent brand : 300gsm, (smooth finish - hot pressed is must)
• Mixing palette: White mixing tray or WHITE china plate
• Brushes: Good quality watercolour round brushes No. 1, 4 and 6
• Pencils: 2H, HB
• Plastic ruler
• Eraser
• Good quality paper towel  
• BYO mug for tea & coffee
• **Watercolour paint:
• Orange Red - Windsor and Newton-Bright red or Cadmium red
• Schmincke – Cadmium red light
• Violet red - Windsor and Newton-Permanent rose
• Schmincke - Magenta
• Orange yellow - Windsor and Newton-Windsor yellow or Cadmium yellow light Schmincke - Cadmium yellow light
• Green yellow - Windsor and Newton-Windsor lemon
• Schmincke - Lemon yellow
• Green blue - Windsor and Newton -Windsor blue (green shade)
• Schmincke - phthalo blue
• Violet blue - Windsor and Newton - French ultramarine
• Schmincke - Ultramarine finest
• Payne’s grey – Windsor and Newton or Schmincke

**watercolours can also be any artist quality brand

No prior botanical art experience is required.

About your Tutor

Your tutor Shipra Shah is an experienced botanical artist and educator who has taught botanical art and still-life watercolour classes for more than 12 years at respected institutions including Sydney Community College (Rozelle), Ku-ring-gai Art Centre, Macquarie Community College, and the Sydney Botanic Gardens.

Her botanical artworks have been exhibited in numerous exhibitions, including the prestigious Botanica exhibitions at the Sydney Botanic Gardens, and have received multiple awards and recognitions. She holds a Degree in Fine Art and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.