How to Start with Botanical Art

In this video, I talk about what botanical art is, how to collect and observe reference material, how to create reference photos in your studio, getting started with botanical art by putting together a botanical style study featuring labeled ink drawings, dissections, notes, and a painting. If you are brand new to botanical art or want to take your botanical knowledge to the next level and create more scientific-style studies, then this video is for you.
🌹🌹🌹 FREEBIE ALERT 🌹🌹🌹
Learn how to start botanical painting with watercolors in this FREE one-hour class where I teach you how to paint a wild rose: tinyurl.com/4y...
Items you need for reference material collection and observations:
a good light
see my video on my filming equipment to see what lights I use: • How I film my Watercol...
a magnifying glass
a dissection kit or knife
basic drawing tools
washi tape
paper
notebook for notes and stick drawings
see my video on stick drawings here: • Botanical Drawing
watercolor sketchbook
a microscope (optional)
smart phone camera
small zoom camera (optional, I use a Canon Powershot sx420 IS)
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[@MrStanwillis]

Thanks. I'm seventy six, and I've loved botanicals as long as I can remember. I am now revisiting this art. Thanks for watching your videos.

[@LauraWatsonArt]

@@MrStanwillis glad you enjoy it

[@amps8687]

I just discovered this and am so happy I did. You've inspired me to do just that....go into my yard, gather things that are available to me there and come in and document that in such a fun way. Botanical art has always seemed overwhelming to me so thank you for sharing this!

[@LauraWatsonArt]

That's wonderful news! That is the goal of making the video, thanks for sharing

[@kitlings5847]

Thank you for sharing this practical advice ...

[@LauraWatsonArt]

Glad it's helpful

[@deannaglendenning6223]

Thank you for sharing your passion, methodology and thought process. Great video! ❤

[@LauraWatsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lizgorley]

Thank you for this in-depth study and process there of, of how you think and actively do your painting and drawing. I am a beginner at nature journaling so this was wonderful and clear.

[@LauraWatsonArt]

So glad to hear!

[@Taff2493]

Top tip:
Take a zip lock bag, with some water (just enough moisture to create droplets) to keep your plant material fresh and stop them turning saggy and floppy!

[@LauraWatsonArt]

@@Taff2493 great tip

[@amandavdbergh2210]

I just put them in a plastic ziplock bag or container and store in my fridge - it can be stored for a week, some plants longer

[@cecilelongfellow6409]

Enjoyed this very much. Inspires me to get out in the woods to observe, sketch, and paint! Thank you, Laura!

[@LauraWatsonArt]

I am so glad you enjoyed this, and that it inspired you. That is the goal of the video, the trick is to just do it. happy painting :)

I like your "style"! This hawthorn is so tender; it looks like the real plant!TFS

[@LauraWatsonArt]

Thank you!

[@beverlyhelm5287]

This looks like so much fun! I just sketched Jimson Weed yesterday but didn’t take reference photos or open up the seed pods.

[@LauraWatsonArt]

Lovely! You can always look up images online to supplement your reference material

[@nancyjohnson7193]

Thank you for this beautiful, comprehensive, and inspiring video. You have won a new subscriber.😊🌸

[@LauraWatsonArt]

Welcome to the channel Nancy 👍👍👍

[@meetkaur1000]

Thank u for sharing your knowledge. ❤ please guide what to observe in plant or fruits before drawing and painting? Thank u.

[@LauraWatsonArt]

The best thing to do is study light and shadow and make color notes, making sure you identify warm and cool color tones before you start painting

[@meetkaur1000]

@@LauraWatsonArt thank you 😊❤

[@ChristineEmmert]

I love your garden so much❤❤❤

[@LauraWatsonArt]

Thank you !

[@marciamcgrath4953]

Thank you for sharing! ❤

[@LauraWatsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it

I'm 57 years old artist, that have painted huge canvasses, and watercoloured, but here I am: " A suckling to a 17 year old UA-camr, whose watercolour paintings are "studied", and is much much better than my 25 year old watercolour paintings of flowers!!! Isn't it a "shame"????HAHA

[@LauraWatsonArt]

Thank you! I'm definitely not 17, lol I have been watercolour painting for about 20 years, I'm turning 40 in a few months.

hehe, just teasing...

[@andreatorraca8755]

💕

[@andreatorraca8755]

What sketch book are you using here?

[@LauraWatsonArt]

hi Andrea, it is a sketchbook that comes with fluid brand 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper it in, they are a little hard to find. If you search "Global Art Materials Field Watercolor Artist Journal Hand Book," on amazon you can find them. I have a 7 x 10 inch and an 8 x 8 inch

[@conniemorrison]

how do you identify what you find?

[@LauraWatsonArt]

I have a plant ID book for my region, I also use online resources like this one wildflowersearch.org and I also take a picture in Google photos and then use Google lens to find similar images online to get started if I'm really stuck.

[@conniemorrison]

@@LauraWatsonArt Wow, thanks for all that great info. I will try it all!

[@conniemorrison]

@@LauraWatsonArt And should have added, yes, my area...Gainesville, Fl.

[@EstherJoy999]

There are apps like iNaturalist or picturethis that have helped me identify plants

[@rosannap2651]

💝🌈🦋🏆