Botanical Illustration for All

Beginners, intermediate and advanced learners are all welcome on this botanical illustration course. During the course we will cover each stage of the process. The stages will include basic use of equipment and making the finishing touches to give you the confidence to paint to an even higher standard.

Included in this course will be a visit to Benton End, the former home of The East Anglian School of Art. Students will be able to spend time in the extensive grounds of this beautiful house, with time to study, enjoy and create before returning to Flatford.

Please note: Good eyesight is essential for this course as the work is detailed and precise.

Lesley Smith

Lesley Smith has been teaching botanical illustration and watercolour painting in adult education for over 30 years. She runs several very popular courses throughout the year at Flatford Mill and has been teaching for over 20 years at the Redbridge institute of adult education in east London, which has recently gained an Outstanding from OFSTED. Lesley started painting in an adult education class as a complete beginner and was asked to take the class over when the tutor Freda Titford retired. Freda had been taught by Mary Grierson at Flatford Mill and Mary attended classes with John Nash the founder of the course which was then run by Jenny Jowett SBA who sadly passed away in March 2019. Lesley attended Jenny’s course for over 30 years and learnt a great deal from Jenny and her fellow attendees, giving her a wealth of techniques and knowledge to pass on to students to improve and enhance their botanical painting.

We have four buildings that are used for visitor accommodation. Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is un-suitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible. Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.

Arrival Day

Check-in is between 1600-1800, if you are arriving after 1800 please advise us, so we can ensure you are advised of access codes, room key location, and room location.

You will meet the tutor at dinner, and you will have your first session after dinner.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  Full Board Accommodation
• 
  Hot and Cold Drinks
• 
  Picnic Lunch

Full board accommodation and picnic lunch is available for resident bookings only.
Refreshments are included for all, but non-resident bookings are advised to bring lunch with you.

What to Bring

• Watercolour paints
• Please avoid Daler Rowney Aquafine paints as they are hard to work with.

The following are essential colours for flower and plant illustration (artist quality is preferred):

• Permanent rose, Windsor violet
• Scarlet Lake, Light red, Indian Yellow, Winsor Blue Red, Shade
• Quinacridone magenta, Cobalt blue, Ultramarine
• Hansa yellow medium, Lemon yellow,
• Burnt sienna, Burnt umber,
• Raw sienna, Aureolin yellow (essential for mixing good greens)

Please note that the centre shop does not stock art materials

About Flatford Mill

We have four buildings that are used for visitor accommodation. Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this isun-suitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.