With tutor Lyn Campbell

We are pleased to announce a Beginners Course in Botanical Art open to members of the SSBA and members of the public who are interested in botanical art and in developing their skills. This is a 20 hour course run over 4 days in the McHattie Room at Saughton Park Gardens, Edinburgh.  Course numbers are limited to 12 so individual attention can be provided.

Link to the BOOKING FORM

Sunday 22nd February   Saturday 7th March

Sunday 22nd March        Saturday 11th April

All 10am to 3pm

© L Campbell

The course fees are £125 for SSBA members and £145 for non-members

DAY 1 – Measured Drawing & the Use of Tone to create shape and form  22/2/26

DRAWING
How to Measure – learn different methods to obtain accurate drawings (rulers, dividers etc.)
Importance of accuracy in Botanical Art.
Use of different pencils, hard to soft.

PRACTICAL – accurate line drawing of botanical specimen (e.g. Tomato or apple).

TONE
Tonal studies using hard and soft pencils to establish the importance of light and dark, highlights and contrast to give 3 dimensional form.

PRACTICAL – measure, draw and do tonal study (e.g. Garlic bulb or mushroom).

DAY 2 – Introduction to working with watercolour paint  7/3/26

Introduction to different types of paper, paint and brushes
Transparent, opaque paints etc.  Tubes/pans. Brushes, different qualities,  normal/miniature.
Mixing of paint.
Introduce basic watercolour technique of clear water, colour then blend.

PRACTICAL – painting in Sepia – circles, tubes, etc. to practice technique. Then subject such as Garlic bulb ormushroom.

DAY 3 – Painting with Watercolour   22/3/26

Revision of colours, transparency and opaque etc.
Colour mixing and matching to subject and the importance of accuracy.

PRACTICAL – Measure, draw and paint plant material.  (e.g. Selection of leaves).

DAY 4 – Painting of selected subject  11/4/26

Revise accurate drawing and importance of colour matching.

PRACTICAL – select subject then draw and paint (e.g. Apples, plums, asparagus, small carrots, radish, peppers, etc.).

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Lyn Campbell BSc Hons, Dip BI RBGE

My professional career was as a Paediatric Physiotherapist and my interest in Botanical Illustration started when I attended a night class, Beginning Botanical Illustration, at the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE).

This was the first time since primary school I had done any drawing or painting, what a steep learning curve!  When I retired, I undertook the 2 year Diploma in Botanical Illustration at RBGE, graduating in 2010.

Since then, I have exhibited twice at the RHS Botanical Art Show in London, and three times at Botanical Images Scotia (BISCOT) in Edinburgh.

I started teaching on the Certificate in Botanical Teaching at RBGE in 2011. I then went on to teach various classes at RBGE at both Introductory and Intermediate levels and the week’s Introduction to Botanical Illustration held every summer.  More recently I have taught both the Introductory and Intermediate courses run by the SSBA in the north and south of Scotland.

Where: The Old Brewery, Cromarty, The Black Isle

When: October 25th & 26th 2025 from 10am to 4pm

Cost: The cost is £170 for SSBA members and £190 for non-members. This includes tea/coffee and a ‘pack lunch’ each day.

Accommodation is available at the Old Brewery for workshop participants.

Autumn workshop with botanical artist Julie Price

Autumn rewards us with a wonderful array of brightly coloured berries, vegetables and seedheads.  In this two-day watercolour course, Julie will focus on accurate observation and drawing, using various watercolour techniques so that you can create a selection of subjects from shiny berries to unusually shaped squashes and seedheads.

You can complete various subjects as a composition or one individual study.

Guidance will be on a one-to-one basis and in a group setting with demonstrations using seasonal subject matter. Reference materials will be available, and you are welcome to bring along your own botanical subject or project which you may wish to develop.  The course is designed to help you improve your existing skills in watercolour and move you to the next level of detail in your work.

It is not suitable for complete beginners.  Places are limited to 10.

The cost is £170 for SSBA members and £190 for non-members. This includes tea/coffee and a ‘pack lunch’ each day.  Accommodation is available at the Old Brewery for workshop participants.

For availability or more information please contact Julie Price via director@thessba.org

Where: The studio, in The Crichton Centre Dumfries, DG1 4TA

When: Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April

Cost: Numbers are limited to 10 and the cost of the workshop is £170.00 for SSBA members and £180.00 for non-members. This includes tea, coffee and lunch each day.

Accommodation if needed is available in the Holiday Inn on site, or nearby B&Bs if you prefer.

Workshop Programme.
Saturday 10am – 12.30
Introduction to choosing and drawing the subject.
Discussion of merits of types of paper.
Different Pencil qualities.
1.30 – 4pm Choosing colours and recording them.
Demonstration of different methods of laying down colour.
Individual help with students work.

Sunday
10am – 12.30 Demonstration of detail and methods of erasing.
Undershading method
1.30 – 4pm Demonstration of finishing touches and detail.
Continuing work.
Looking at results and ways to improve.

What to bring: cartridge paper, watercolour paper, pencil, magnifying glass, artists colour pencils if you have any On receipt of your application form we will confirm your booking and provide payment details

Click here to book