Only 8 years before the Starry Night 1889, Van Gogh was writing..
Through continued practice, careful observation, and a growing understanding of form and technique, you’ll begin to see your work deepen—sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once. The intermediate level isn’t about perfection; it’s about committing to your process and trusting that your skills will strengthen with each brushstroke. This is why this course is built for.
I'm drawing a great deal and think it's getting better. -Vincent van Gogh, 1881, Letters to Theo
Once you’ve built a foundation in watercolour technique and observation, the next step is to deepen your skills through more complex subjects and refined artistic choices. This intermediate-level course is designed to help you move beyond the basics and begin developing a more personal, confident approach to botanical painting.
Whether you’ve completed the Fundamentals course or already have some experience with watercolour and drawing, this class offers a structured and inspiring way to strengthen your technique and grow as an artist.
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Botanical Illustration with Watercolour – Intermediate Level
What You’ll Learn
In this course, we focus on challenging yet rewarding aspects of botanical illustration—those subtle, detailed areas that require close observation and greater control. Through weekly lessons and guided practice, you’ll explore themes such as:
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Structural Drawing
Learning how to see and render plant anatomy more clearly—breaking down forms into structure, symmetry, and proportion. -
Transparency & Layering
Developing techniques for illustrating transparent or delicate plant parts, such as petals, seed pods, or overlapping leaves. -
Whites and Subtle Tones
Approaching white or pale-coloured subjects using contrast, shadow, and soft colour transitions to reveal their shape and presence. -
Dark and Dense Subjects
Gaining control over darker tones and values, and learning how to maintain richness and clarity without losing detail. -
The Language of Greens
Understanding how to mix and modify green pigments to create natural variation and richness in leaves, stems, and backgrounds.
Each topic will be introduced with demonstrations, discussion, and guided exercises, followed by the creation of a small artwork that brings your learning together. As always, you’ll see me demonstrate each process first before working through it at your own pace.
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Building Your Own Approach
At this level, you'll also begin to make more independent choices—selecting subjects, exploring different compositions, and thinking more intentionally about your creative process. The course supports you in developing your own voice, while still offering clear structure, encouragement, and feedback.
Regular homework exercises will continue to play an important role, helping you reinforce what we’ve covered in class and deepen your skills through steady, focused practice.
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Who This Course Is For
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Artists who have completed the Fundamentals course or have a working knowledge of watercolour
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Anyone looking to expand their botanical work with greater depth and complexity
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Those interested in developing a more personal and expressive artistic process within a botanical framework
