Botanical Art and Illustration
Students enrolled in the Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate program will learn how to draw botanical subjects with scientific accuracy, artistry and mastery of technical methods. Using a basic knowledge of plant morphology, participants will develop the skills needed to document plants in intricate detail, including the root system, upper and lower leaf surfaces, flowers, fruits and seed heads. This program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing art for pleasure and self-satisfaction, and they can choose between two concentrations: watercolor or colored pencil. Beginners, as well as those with art experience, are welcome. Students ay repeat most courses in the program at a 10-percent discount; however, a repeat course cannot apply toward certificate credit.
Receiving Class Credit: For both core and elective classes, students must attend all class sessions and complete and submit all the work required to earn class credit. Class credit is important if a student is pursuing the Basic or Advanced Botanical Art and Illustration certificate. Even if a student is not sure about pursuing the certificate, it is recommended that they earn credit for each class because this is difficult to do retroactively. If a student has to miss class (e.g. health reasons or a death in the family), they must contact the instructor at their earliest convenience to see if it’s possible to still earn class credit.
A note on recordings: The class recordings posted on Google Classroom are meant to aid students in completing their work between classes but are not a substitute for attending class. Students are required to attend all classes and are not allowed to miss class and watch the recordings for credit.
About the Program
Learn more about our certificate requirements, browse work from our students, meet our instructors and more.
For more details about our programs, or to receive personalized class recommendations from our helpful staff, please feel free to contact us at edu@phipps.conservatory.org.
Confirmations will be emailed the day before each class, including a Zoom link. Please check your spam/junk mail folder, and if you have not received the link, email edu@phipps.conservatory.org.
Relevant demos from virtual classes are recorded and made available to all registered participants for one month after the program.
Cancellation policy:
Contact edu@phipps.conservatory.org or 412-441-4442 ext. 3925 to cancel a class registration.
- Up to two weeks before the class (or the first class date, for a multi-session class), you may receive a full refund minus a non-refundable $10 adminstrative fee.
- Up to 72 hours (3 days) before the class or the first class date, you may receive a 50% refund.
- Less than 72 hours (3 days) before the class or the first class date, there are no refunds.
- Special events like conferences will have a separate cancellation policy and refund deadline.
All times are Eastern Time Zone.
Want to sign up with a gift certificate?
Contact Phipps at edu@phipps.conservatory.org or 412-441-4442 ext. 3925 with your choice of class to sign up with a gift certificate. If there is a remaining balance for the class or a remaining balance on the gift certificate, we will discuss those details.
Current Classes
Click titles for full details
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Botanical Drawing I | Robin Menard | Saturdays: Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 21 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Online after-class meeting: Mon., Oct. 30, 6 – 7:30 p.m. | This class is now filled.
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Pen and Ink II | Lisa Rasmussen | Mondays: Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6 | 6 – 9 p.m. | After-class meeting: Mon., Nov. 20, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
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The Hidden Kingdom | Carrie Roy | The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation | Wednesday, Oct. 11 | 7 – 8 p.m.
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Colored Pencil II | Amy Lindenberger | Saturdays: Oct. 14, 21, Nov. 4 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | After-class meeting: Wed., Nov. 15, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
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Illumination Techniques with Watercolors, Gouache and Gold Paint I, II and III | Christine Hutson | Sun., Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19 | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | After-class meeting: Sun., Dec. 3, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
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Fungi in Watercolor: Understanding Structure and Painting Techniques | Visiting Artist Margaret Saylor | Wednesdays: Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
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Watercolor II | Brenda Jordan | Saturdays: Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 11 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | After-class meeting: Wed., Dec. 6 | 7 – 8:30 p.m.
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Botanical Drawing II: Volume, Texture and Details | Melissa Fabian | Tuesdays: Oct. 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec. 5 | 6 – 9 p.m. | After-class meeting: Tues., Dec. 19 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
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Whimsical Watercolor Mushrooms | Rosalie Haizlett | Thurs., Nov. 2 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
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Botanical Drawing II | Robin Menard | Saturdays: Nov. 4, 11, 18 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Online after-class meeting: Tues., Nov. 28 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
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Winter Gems in Watercolor | Amy Lewandowski | Thursdays: Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 | 6 – 9 p.m. | After-class meeting: Thurs., Jan. 11 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Classes Currently in Progress
- 2023 Phipps’ Allegheny Highlands Flora Project: Exhibition of Foraged Plants in Southwestern PA (with an emphasis on the edible parts of each plant) | Plant Selection | Monday Feb. 20 | 6 – 8 p.m. on the Zoom platform | Robin Menard and Stephanie Lind | Student orientation | Monday Feb. 27 | 6 – 8 p.m. on the Zoom platform | Robin Menard | Hunt Institute will be emailing digital images to participants in June 2023 | In Person Guided open studios | Sundays: July 16; Aug. 13; Sept. 17; Oct.15; and Nov. 12 | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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Greens in Watercolor | Amy Lewandowski | Thursdays: Aug. 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 | 6 – 9 p.m. | After-class meeting: Thurs., Oct. 19, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
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Botanical Drawing I | Melissa Fabian | Tuesdays: Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10 | 6 – 9 p.m. | After-class meeting: Tues., Oct. 24, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
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Drawing Edible Fungi of Pennsylvania | Melissa Fabian | Thursdays: Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5 | 6 – 9 p.m. | After-class meeting: Thurs., Oct. 19, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
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Painting Fall Treasures | Julia Trickey | Saturdays: Sept. 16, 23, Oct. 7 | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. [no after-class meeting]
Detailed Listings
Botanical Drawing I | Robin Menard
Saturdays: Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 21 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Online after-class meeting: Mon., Oct. 30, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
$265 members | $295 nonmembers
In-person at Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park | Online after-class meeting
Objective: To be able to accurately draw three-dimensional shapes using line and tone, and employ geometric and aerial perspective in drawing botanical subjects.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: None
Botanical illustration differs from traditional drawing because it captures a subject with scientific accuracy through observation, form and detail. Learn to identify basic shapes in nature and use a step-by-step process to create the illusion of depth through light, shadow and perspective. The first three classes will be held in person at Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park. The after class meeting will be on Zoom. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate core course.
This class is now filled. Please email edu@phipps.conservatory.org to be placed on the waiting list.
Pen and Ink II | Lisa Rasmussen
Mondays: Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6 | 6 – 9 p.m.
After-class meeting: Mon., Nov. 20, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
$265 members | $295 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: Pen and Ink II students will have improved stroke making and wash skills with the introduction of color through various tools and inks.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I and II, Pen and Ink I
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
Add another dimension to your pen and ink work through color. Various tools and inks will be provided to develop additional reference sheets to add to our black and white references. Create various plant studies and completed botanical art pieces. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate core course.
The Hidden Kingdom | Carrie Roy | The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation
Wed., Oct. 11 | 7 – 8 p.m.
$20 members | $25 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Despite having more in common with people than with plants, fungi had been included under the Kingdom Plantae until the mid-20th century, when a new kingdom was established. This Kingdom Fungi is estimated to contain 2.2-3.8 million species, an enormous range of taxa that includes yeasts, molds, rusts, and mushrooms. This presentation will give an overview of these organisms, their historical depictions and the many ways they shape the world we experience every day.
Colored Pencil II | Amy Lindenberger
Saturdays: Oct. 14, 21, Nov. 4 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
After-class meeting: Wed., Nov. 15, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
$270 members | $300 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Registration for this class will close on Friday, Sept. 29.
Objective: To be able to create a botanical painting with colored pencils, building on experience gained in colored pencil I.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I and II, Colored Pencil I
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
Building on the foundation of colored pencil techniques and layering principles established in Colored Pencil I, focus on more advanced layering and blending techniques to create a variety of surface textures. Improve your color perception skills and explore more advanced color theory to better understand hue, value, intensity and temperature. Botanical Art and Illustration Certicate core course.
Illumination Techniques with Watercolors, Gouache and Gold Paint I, II and III | Christine Hutson
Sun., Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19 | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
After-class meeting: Sun., Dec. 3, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
$265 members | $295 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: To be able to use a variety of illumination techniques
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prerequisites: Watercolor I (or equivalent watercolor experience contact Stephanie Lind slind@phipps.conservatory.org)
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
Discover several different styles of medieval book illumination and explore them using modern materials, including watercolors and gold paint. Plus, explore watercolor illumination on black paper. Create illuminated initial letters, as well as other decorative styles and motifs. Students who have previously taken the Illumination Techniques class are welcome to work on advanced projects independently and in the class. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate elective
Fungi in Watercolor: Understanding Structure and Painting Techniques | Visiting Artist Margaret Saylor
Wednesdays: Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
No after-class meeting
$195 members | $220 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: To be able to paint fungi accurately with watercolor
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I, II and Watercolor I (or equivalent experience, contact Stephanie Lind slind@phipps.conservatory.org)
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
The first and most important step in developing your drawing and painting skills is to not just look at your subject, but to see! Learn the basics of mushroom foraging with the goal of documenting the fungi in a sketchbook. Build on these skills to draw a mushroom in graphite. Go on to create a pleasing composition and design a watercolor painting. Learn graphite and dry brush watercolor technique while building your knowledge of fungi. Add in important natural elements and capture the essence of your mushroom while maintaining an eye to the mycological aspects of your subject. Botanical Art and Illustration elective
Watercolor II | Brenda Jordan
Saturdays: Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 11 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
After-class meeting: Wed., Dec. 6 | 7 – 8:30 p.m.
$265 members | $295 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: To be able to create three dimensional botanical portrayals using and enhancing practices used in Watercolor I
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I and II and Watercolor I
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
Build upon your knowledge from Watercolor I to learn additional techniques used in transparent watercolor. Practice manipulating watercolor using different brushes and papers, plus discover some new colors and techniques for mixing colors. Apply your new skills to studies of plant forms, including a final project that demonstrates your control of watercolor techniques for an accurate rendering of botanical forms. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate (watercolor concentration) core course.
Botanical Drawing II: Volume, Texture and Details | Melissa Fabian
Tuesdays: Oct. 31, Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec. 5 | 6 – 9 p.m.
After-class meeting: Tues., Dec. 19 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
$265 members | $295 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: To be able to apply skills gained in Botanical Drawing I to accurately capture various plant forms, details and textures that are unique to the subject.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
Continue to develop your observation and drawing skills to accurately render leaves, stems, roots and flowers in varying positions, capturing details and textures unique to the botanical subject. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate core course.
Whimsical Watercolor Mushrooms | Rosalie Haizlett
Thurs., Nov. 2 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
$40 members | $50 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
With their funky shapes and bright color schemes, painting mushrooms is a delightful pastime that will help you appreciate new facets of the forest throughout all seasons. Join nature illustrator and author Rosalie Haizlett for a 90-minute, beginner-friendly class on how to paint a vibrant watercolor mushroom that can be found in the Central Appalachian region. In addition to guiding you through the step-by-step painting process, she'll also share some of the most unusual fungi that she's found over the years and tips for finding common mushroom species in our region.
To Follow along, students will need: A Set of Watercolors, 2-3 watercolor brushes of varying sizes including one very thin one (size 1-4 round), Cold-pressed watercolor paper or mixed-media paper, sketching pencil, Eraser, Cup of Water and Paper Towel
Botanical Art and Illustration elective
Botanical Drawing II | Robin Menard
Saturdays: Nov. 4, 11, 18 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Online after-class meeting: Tues., Nov. 28 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
$265 members | $295 nonmembers
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park; online after-class meeting
Objective: To be able to apply skills gained in Botanical Drawing I to accurately capture various plant forms, details and textures that are unique to the subject.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I
Continue to develop your observation and drawing skills to accurately render leaves, stems, roots and flowers in varying positions, capturing details and textures unique to the botanical subject. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate core course.
Winter Gems in Watercolor | Amy Lewandowski
Thursdays: Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 | 6 – 9 p.m.
After-class meeting: Thurs., Jan. 11 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
$140 members | $160 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: To be able to observe color and texture in seasonal plants.
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I and II, Watercolor I (or equivalent experience, contact Stephanie Lind slind@phipps.conservatory.org)
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
Illustrate seasonal plants in an assortment of colors using different methods of mixing watercolor paints along with a variety of wash techniques. Apply these techniques to a composition of multiple small specimens or a single sample of winter flora through a series of demonstrations, individual help and group discussion. Students who have previously taken the Winter Gems class are welcome to register for the class again, work on advanced projects in class and independently. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate elective.
2023 Phipps’ Allegheny Highlands Flora Project: Exhibition of Foraged Plants in Southwestern PA (with an emphasis on the edible parts of each plant)
Plant Selection | Monday Feb. 20 | 6 – 8 p.m. on the Zoom platform | Robin Menard and Stephanie Lind
Student orientation | Monday Feb. 27 | 6 – 8 p.m. on the Zoom platform | Robin Menard
Hunt Institute will be emailing digital images to participants in June 2023
In Person Guided open studios | Sundays: July 16; Aug. 13; Sept. 17; Oct.15; and Nov. 12 | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
$180 members | $200 nonmembers
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park
Objective: To be able to create a botanical illustration from the beginning to end
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I and II, Watercolor I or Colored Pencil I
Learn how to research and produce a beautiful and accurate painting of a foraged plant. In this long-term collaborative project, create a watercolor or colored pencil painting, a copy of which will be catalogued into the Phipps’ Allegheny Highlands Flora Project for future educational or marketing uses. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate elective
Greens in Watercolor | Amy Lewandowski
Thursdays: Aug. 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 | 6 – 9 p.m.
After-class meeting: Thurs. Oct. 19, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
$250 members | $280 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: To be able to create a variety of greens in watercolor and apply them to plant specimens.
Level: Advanced
Prerequisites: Watercolor I
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
Plants often have a wide variety of beautiful greens, and it can be challenging to represent these different colors accurately. Learn how to assess the differences in the greens of plants by observing their subtle variations in hue, value, and intensity. Practice painting different greens through a series of watercolor mixing exercises and then apply this information to an illustration of a single leaf or of multiple specimens.
Botanical Art and Illustration certificate elective
Botanical Drawing I | Melissa Fabian
Tuesdays: Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10 | 6 – 9 p.m.
After-class meeting: Tues., Oct. 24, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
$265 members | $295 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: To be able to accurately draw three-dimensional shapes using line and tone, and employ geometric and aerial perspective in drawing botanical subjects.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: None
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
Botanical illustration differs from traditional drawing because it captures a subject with scientific accuracy through observation, form and detail. Learn to identify basic shapes in nature and use a step-by-step process to create the illusion of depth through light, shadow and perspective. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate core course.
Drawing Edible Fungi of Pennsylvania | Melissa Fabian
Thursdays: Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5 | 6 – 9 p.m.
After-class meeting: Thurs., Oct. 19, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
$235 members | $265 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: Students will be able to draw study pages of 5 edible fungi and their habitats found in the fall in Pennsylvania
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I and II and at least one of the following: Pen and Ink I, Colored Pencil I or Watercolor I
Relevant demos are recorded and made available to pre-registered students within 1 week of each class session. Videos will be viewable for one month from receipt.
The class will focus on 5 fungi that appear in late summer and fall, both in meadows and woodlands. Each session will focus on 1 of the 5. Various resources will be used to draw all parts of the fungi and small scenes of their growing habitat to create a study page. As part of this class, students will have the opportunity to attend at no cost the online Hunt Institute Fungi presentation on Wednesday Oct. 11, 7- 8 p.m. Botanical Art and Illustration Elective
Painting Fall Treasures | Julia Trickey
Saturdays: Sept. 16, 23, Oct. 7 | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. [no after-class meeting]
$230 members | $260 nonmembers
Presented as a live webinar through Zoom
Objective: To learn wet on wet watercolor technique for painting fall treasures
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing I and II or Watercolor I, or equivalent experience. Contact Stephanie Lind at slind@phipps.conservatory.org with questions about equivalent experience.
At the end of their season many plants have berries, colored leaves, seed heads or cones. In this class we will consider how to capture the brightness, texture and structure of these fall treasures in watercolour. We will look at how to plan pleasing compositions with our chosen specimens, as well as options for alternative background colours. This class is delivered online with tutor presentations and demonstrations, as well as one-to-one advice via Google Classroom. Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate elective
About the Program
Learn more about our certificate requirements, browse work from our students, meet our instructors and more.
