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The Practice of Botanical Drawing: Ideas for Expanding Lessons
The Practice of Botanical Drawing Lessons are a guide to build on. Expand each lesson with new and different subjects! Watch this video to get advice from Wendy. We know that masters aren’t made overnight, and that consistent practice is the key to success. Think of my books as a template. I show you … Continued
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Celebrate Your Progress
When we look at our own artwork, it can be hard to quiet our inner critics and easy to get caught up in chasing perfection and comparing ourselves to others. While admiring expert artistry can be inspiring, it can also be discouraging with thoughts like, “They’re way better than I am,” “I could never … Continued
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Sketching Summer: Ideas & Botanical Definitions
The Practice of Botanical Drawing started as a year-long Challenge, prompting students to track a tree or woody shrub of their choice through all its stages for a year. The final product becomes a “Sketchbook of the Seasons,” with + color and tonal drawings + herbarium components, and + journal documentation from 1-2 trees … Continued
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Verdant Meditations
Thank you to Taliesin Thomas for this lovely feature on dirt-mag.com, aptly titled, “Verdant Meditations.” The piece explores how I became a botanical artist, the philosophy behind the Draw Botanical Method, and a peek into the magic I’ve been making most recently. (See the full feature here.) Plant Partners I work entirely … Continued
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The Magnolia Family
The Magnolia Family Magnoliaceae 25+ years ago, I was new to botanical illustration and studying at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) when I discovered the beautiful and unusual flowers of the Tulip Tree that took my breath away. Tulip Tree and Magnolia seed pods are also fascinating! (If you’ve ever seen Dick Raugh’s large … Continued
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The Onion Family
The Onion Family Alliaceae, sub family of Liliaceae After foraging for ramps near a rail trail in High Falls in May 2021, I read a NYTimes article aptly titled Know Your Onions (+ Shallots + Leeks + Ramps) by Melissa Clark. This inspired me to start a large composition of the Allium family, starting with … Continued
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The Rose Family
The Rose Family Rosaceae Before I became a botanical illustrator, I was a home furnishing textile designer in New York City, mesmerized by vintage cabbage rose floral fabrics and using them for inspiration in my designs. My dream was to be able to draw and paint florals as detailed as a Redoute print or antique … Continued
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Mushrooms of New York 1 (April thru August 2023)
Mushrooms of New York (April thru August 2023) Fungi Kingdom I had a great time exploring mushrooms this year! Not so much for eating, but to start to learn about them and to draw them. Spoiler Alert: Mushrooms are FASCINATING. I discovered that developing Amanitas remind me of Russian nesting dolls. … Continued
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The Tulip Family
The Tulip Family Tulipa, sub family of Liliacea Tulips have always reminded me of my mom because she was so proud of the tulips growing in her garden each year. I almost titled my first book How to Draw a Tulip (instead of Botanical Drawing: A Beginner’s Guide) because I … Continued
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The Mustard Family
The Mustard Family Brassicaceae Fun Fact: All of the plants in this composition are edible! Taste testing is definitely part of the fun. The colors in this family really delight me. Plants in the Mustard Family share these traits: Flowers 4 petals and 4 sepals 6 stamens (4 tall and 2 short) … Continued
