Category: Botanical Illustration
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Strawberry Illustrations Step-by-Step
Strawberries are as fascinating as they are sweet. (Did you know that each tiny “seed” on a strawberry’s surface is technically its own fruit?!) Whether you’re attracted to their vibrant red color, their mighty green crown, or their cute white flowers, we’re here to help you create your own stunning strawberry illustration. Watch … Continued
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Kraft Paper: My Favorite Things
by Wendy Hollender & the Draw Botanical Team When I study and draw from nature, I feel a presence of something that never fails to take my breath away. I “undress” the plant to study the mystery within, exploring flowers and plants on a micro level, almost as if I were an insect. … Continued
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Unraveling Roots: A Step-by-Step Botanical Guide for Artists
Easy Techniques to Bring Realistic Roots to Life in Your Art Roots are more than just the part of a plant that holds it in place; they tell a unique story of growth and connection to the earth. While the roots of a plant might look like a tangled mess beneath the surface, … Continued
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The Art of Identifying Plant Families
A Botanical Illustrators’ Guide to Spot Plant Patterns & Draw What You See Learning how to identify plant families is like discovering nature’s secret code, and it just so happens that observational drawing is one of the best ways to crack it. As botanical artists, we notice delicate details that many people miss: … Continued
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9 Steps to Lifelike Leaves
Draw a Leaf in 9 Simple Steps When you create a botanical illustration showcasing a plant’s important parts, you are likely to face the challenge of drawing realistic green leaves. Though there are many different kinds of leaves, this tutorial focuses on how to draw a leaf with net veining (ex. rose, hibiscus, oak, hydrangea). … Continued
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The Secret to Watercolor Techniques
The secret to producing the watercolor painting of your dreams is… patience! Wait for it to dry completely between layers. Keep reading for more helpful watercolor tips from our instructors. Go with the flow “Working in watercolor requires not only patience, but also the willingness to relinquish control. With colored pencils, we are mostly … Continued
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How to Identify & Illustrate The Nightshade Family
How to Identify & Illustrate The Nightshade Family Exploring Plants in Solanaceae By Wendy Hollender, botanical illustrator & educator The Nightshade Family Solanaceae Fun Fact: The potato is not a fruit but a tuber, part of the plant’s root system. A shout out to Tributary Farm for the majority of these wonderful vegetables. Meet the … Continued
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The Art of Drawing Leaves
A Botanical Artists’ Guide to a Realistic Leaf Illustrations Each leaf, with its unique shape, vein pattern, texture, and color, offers a new opportunity to observe and admire beauty in nature. Whether you’re sketching in a garden or from a specimen on your desk, embrace the joy of the drawing process over the pursuit of … Continued
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How To Draw a Tulip in 12 Easy Steps
Scroll through this post for many techniques and step-by-step instructions you can try to improve your tulip drawings. Flowers are notoriously tricky subjects to capture realistically because of their curling petals, tiny reproductive parts, and short life spans. If you feel like flowers are too difficult to draw or too complex for you to … Continued
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4 Tips for Drawing Twists, Rolls, & Folds
To capture 3D forms on a 2D surface, we use light and shadows to create the illusion of depth. This can be tricky, but never fear! We are here to help. Learn how to draw elegant twists, flowing rolls, and delicate folds with confidence! Explore the graceful movement of strappy botanical leaves (like those … Continued
