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Personal Tuition
Online in
Botanical Art
Elaine Searle © 2014
enquiries@paintbotanical.com
A respect for
tradition
the tools
of Technology
&
Welcome to this overview of my new distance
learning courses in botanical art. In 2011 I launched
my first online courses and now, based on feedback
and improvements in technology, these new courses
have been developed. Delivery is now via a website,
with new content, videos and interactive elements.
Whilst comfortable with computers, I am not a geek!
My pegigree as a botanical artist is founded on
excellent traditional classroom training, at one of the
world’s oldest botanic gardens.
For many years I have enjoyed teaching small groups
of all abilities, face to face, in several countries. Let
me bring this experience to you at home.
Don’t allow constraints of location, health, work or
family prevent you from enjoying the study of
botanical art. Say hello to well structured, supportive
and personal online learning.
PaintBotanical
foundation
Botanical Art with Elaine Searle
Suitable for those with no or little experience of drawing or painting,
and for those who wish to build confidence and proficiency
in the core skills of botanical art.
OUTLINE CONTENT
• historical and contemporary context
• glossary and reference sources: basic botany
• glossary and reference sources: materials/equipment
• learning to look: developing observational skills
• seeing detail: the support role of magnification & photographs
• drawing with botanical accuracy
• light source and perception of 3D
• rendering realistic 3D form: with video demos and exercises
• depth and distortion
• watercolour basics: theory/techniques applicable to botanical art,
with video demos and skill building exercises
• troubleshooting: common problems and how to overcome them
• creating a realistic botanical painting in watercolour
ENROLMENT: Continuous - Join anytime, starting at the beginning
of the course and working at your own pace through it.
Allow up to 28 days from enrolment for delivery of art materials
DURATION: You should be able to complete this within 12 months
£1350 full payment in advance
or £1500 payment in 5 instalments
Fee includes a ‘starter’ kit of brushes, paints, other art materials & paper
’Botanical Art’ – my approach
The line between botanical art and botanical
illustration is often blurred. I believe the real
difference is one of intent.
The main goal of botanical illustration is scientific
accuracy. Plants are depicted with such precision
and detail, that they may be recognized and
distinguished from other species. The intent is
identification. This need not preclude the illustration
also being aesthetically very pleasing.
I strive for botanical accuracy, but the purpose of my
artworks is not identification. I create plant portraits
in watercolour, which aim to convey the unique
character of the plant and how I personally see it.
Reflecting this approach my courses do not focus on
botany (beyond basics) or include plant dissection,
fieldwork, pen and ink or coloured pencil.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT MY ONLINE COURSES?
The focus is on learning rather than technology. Botanical art
calls for mastery of traditional art techniques not computers!
Guidance will be given in use the website, scanning work and
uploading, and using Skype for your personal tutorials.
Personal support underpins everything.
I like to establish a respectful, nuturing teaching relationship.
Online learning need not be a lonely pursuit. Up to 6 x 30min
pre-booked tutorials by Skype are offered. These give you
opportunity to ask specific questions and receive feedback.
Outside of these tutorials I encourage students to email me.
The pace is set by you. Although there are no set assignment
deadlines, commitment and determination will be required to
get the best from these courses. You will need to make time for
practise, as this really reinforces your learning and helps to build
your core skills.
PaintBotanical
certificate
Botanical Art with Elaine Searle
Suitable for those who have already mastered the foundations of
botanical art and would like to study to a more advanced level.
The course deals with some of the most important aestetic concepts
and refinements of approach that can elevate botanical artwork
beyond the ordinary. Less of a ‘How to’, more of a ‘Why’ style will help
develop your ability for critical assesment.
CORE CONTENT
• complex forms
• composition
• depth in detail
• drama and scale
PLUS YOUR CHOICE OF 2 from
• realistic leaves
• botanical textures
• painting on calfskin vellum
• white on white
• dark not dull
NOTE: This certificate is not suitable for beginners.
Applicants will be required to submit scans of their botanical
drawings and paintings to demonstrate their current level of ability.
I may suggest that the applicant takes a short pre-certificate course
(bespoke content from the foundation) to bring them up to speed
Choose topics of interest
such as WHITE on WHITE
as part of the CERTIFICATE
Learn how to produce
realistic shaded drawing as
part of the FOUNDATION
prior to commencing the certificate.
ENROLMENT OPEN NOW for Course Launch in April 2015
Join anytime, starting at the beginning with the core content and
two subjects of your choice from five, working at your own pace.
DURATION: You should be able to complete this in 12 months
£1350 full payment in advance
or £1500 payment in 5 instalments
How to
enrol
faq’s
&
Enrolment for the Foundation Course
Please send an email to request a place to
enquiries@paintbotanical.com
You will receive an enrolment form and an invoice for
payment of your £300 deposit via Paypal. Once the
deposit is received your place is secure I will arrange
to mail you the starter kit of materials (please allow
up to 28 days for delivery)
Enrolment for the Certificate Course
As above but before enrolment I require you to email
a few good quality jpgs of your recent botanical
drawings and paintings.*
should I consider that you need to undertake any
*pre-certificate
assignments I will contact you to discuss
how this would proceed and advise of any costs.
Payments of balance (both courses)
If choosing to pay in advance:
You will receive an invoice for the balance of £1050 a
month after to the enrolment date. Upon settlement
you will receive login details for the secure area of the
site so that you can start.
If you are paying by instalments:
Your second instalment of £300 will be sent. Upon
settlement you will receive login details for the secure
area of the site so that you can start. The remaining
three instalments will be invoiced at two-monthly
intervals. Please note that your site access can be
cancelled if payments are not made.
HOW ARE THE COURSES
DELIVERED?
ANSWER
• By secure login to a website
• Only you can access content
• You can view or print out
• You can watch video clips
• You can upload scans
• You can pause or return to
areas at any time
• You can email with queries
• You will receive personal
tutorials via Skype at
pre-arranged times
WHAT TECHNOLOGY WILL I
NEED?
ANSWER
• A computer with a reliable
broadband connection.
• A webcam (modern computes
usually have these built in).
• Skype software (FREE).
• PDF viewing software (FREE).
• Use of a desktop scanner (to
digitally capture your work) so
that you can send it to me.
• Use of a camera (preferably
with macro setting) to record
details of plants for reference.
WHAT ART MATERIALS WILL I
NEED?
ANSWER
• For Foundation level all
these are mailed to you
prior to starting as they are
included in the course fee. A
few additional basic items will
be required: desk lamp, water
jars, paper towel, plant storage containers etc. but these
will be kept to a minimum.
• For Certificate level a list
will be supplied, but it is
designed to mainly utilise
those art materials you will
probably already have.
WHAT PLANTS WILL I NEED?
ANSWER
• For Foundation level the
course is designed to make
use of commonly available
plants and vegetables. Often
these will be available at
markets or gardens. It should
involve no major costs.
• For certificate level
specimens required will
depend on your project
choices.
WHAT SPACE WILL I NEED?
ANSWER
You will need ideally two spaces.
They do not need to be adjacent
but might work well if they were.
1. a computer study space 2. a
‘studio’ drawing/painting space.
This can be a dedicated room if
you have a spare one or the corner
of a shared space providing you
can leave your art materials out or
stored very close by. You will need
sufficient privacy to concentrate.
The most important thing is that
the‘studio’ space should have
natural light. An area adjacent to a
window is ideal.
HOW MANY HOURS DO I NEED?
ANSWER
Expect to spend a number of hours
per week on study. In the region of
12-15. These can be broken down
into blocks to suit your schedule.
No less than 2-3 hour sessions are
best as it takes time to ‘settle’ and
set up. Working for long periods
without a break is not good. Short
but regular study is often better.
WHAT PROGRESS TO EXPECT?
ANSWER
Everyone learns in different ways
and at their own pace. Speed is
something not considered a virtue
in the workd of botanical art.
Training to observe, draw and paint
with accuracy is akin to learning a
new language or a musical
instrument. You will need to have
realistic goals.
MAY I TAKE A STUDY BREAK?
ANSWER
Although self-paced, the courses
work best if you can devote regular
time in your schedule for learning.
In the event of health problems or
other issues which prevent this a
break from study may be possible.
This would be assessed on an
individual needs basis.
To find out more about the
Skype software please visit
http://skype.install-free.com/