Description

Botanical Art for Beginners: Learn to Draw Cherries

An Informational & Informal Botanical Illustration Workshop in Watercolor & Colored Pencil

Join us for a two-day workshop!

Sunday, July 19, 2026: 3pm – 7pm ET

Wednesday, July 22, 2026: 6pm – 7:30pm ET

✏️ Instructors: Pam Thompson & Sam McWilliams
✅ Level: All levels, beginners and beyond!
🌱 Botanical Subject(s): Cherries

We will focus on the fundamentals of drawing a single cherry, but more experienced artists may bring a cluster of cherries and create their own complex compositions.

Workshop Description

There’s a moment for every artist when something clicks, when colors start to sing, shadows settle into place, and you look at your paper and think, “Wow, I made that!”. If you’re ready for your botanical art epiphany, join Pam and Sam for a workshop that makes you feel capable from the very first mark you make. 

Stroke by stroke, layer by layer, they will demonstrate their whole process in real time, using a mixed-media approach that combines the luminosity of watercolor with the control of colored pencil. It’s one of the most rewarding combinations in botanical illustration, and cherries are the perfect subject to practice.

Why Are Cherries Such Delightful Drawing Subjects?

Their simple, round shapes make them approachable for beginners, while their reflective highlights, rich color depth, and delicate surface sheen give even seasoned artists something satisfying to explore. From how the glossy skin catches the light, to how the deep ruby-to-crimson color shifts across each curve, to how the stem curls slightly emerging from the fruit, cherries are beautiful botanical subjects that we love to draw again and again.

What We’ll Practice

Cherries are so charming, but the real cherry on top is how perfect they are for practicing fundamental drawing techniques like:
✏️ Sketching Basic Shapes: Observe and draw cherries as full, 3D forms, starting with simple light source thumbnails.
🎨 Layering Watercolor & Colored Pencil: Use our favorite mixed-media method, the heart of our botanical illustration approach.
🌈 Building Vibrant Color: Mix rich reds, warm shadows, and the subtle shifts that bring color to life.
✨ Shading, Highlights, & Shine: Create depth and dimension that makes your illustration feel real.
🖌️ Blending Techniques: Achieve smooth, seamless transitions that give your drawing a polished, professional quality.

How the Workshop Flows

This class is designed to be flexible, supportive, and easy to fit into your week, whether you join live or learn from the recording later.

Pre-Class Practice (optional): Access to pre-recorded videos to supplement your learning and help you feel prepared before the workshop sessions.
Class Day 1 (4 hours) Sunday: Step-by-step drawing demonstrations, foundational techniques, and live Q&A
Inter-Class Practice (~3 days) Monday-Thursday: Rewatch the recording and work at your own pace
Class Day 2 (1.5 hours) Thursday: Student work sharing, personalized feedback, and additional demos as needed
Post-Class Practice: Rewatch recordings anytime to refine your technique. No expiration date! You can even receive personal, positive, and helpful feedback from an instructor by sending photos of your work to info+images@drawbotanical.com.

Live Sessions and&/or Recordings — You Get Everything

Either way, you’ll receive the same full workshop content. Every step, every technique, every tip. No rushing. No missing out. No expiration date. Just art encouragement and improvement, at your own pace. Take your time to absorb the process, practice on your own, and return with fresh eyes for deeper learning.

IMPORTANT: Add info@drawbotanical.com to your email contacts! All workshop details will arrive in your inbox, including links to the Zoom meetings, pre-recorded videos, and slideshow.

After purchasing this workshop, you will receive an email with Registration Details. If you don’t see this email in your inbox a few hours after purchasing, search your inbox for our email address and check your spam/junk/quarantine folders. If you still can’t find it, email info@drawbotanical.com, and we will assist you.

Why Join?

Our workshops are not just about learning but also about community and collaboration. Here’s what makes our Zoom Workshops special:

✨ Step-by-Step Live Demos – Follow along with clear, approachable guidance from friendly instructors.
🌱 Supportive Learning Environment – Engage with instructors and fellow participants, ask questions, and share your progress in a supportive and encouraging space.
🖼️ Constructive Feedback – Receive personalized feedback from experienced educators to help you improve and gain confidence in your artistic abilities.

Recommended Art Supplies:

Find all of the supplies that we recommend here. Feel free to follow along with any supplies you have (your result may just end up looking a little different). Our lessons are about a combination of fundamental 3D art concepts and colored pencil and watercolor technique, so you can skip the supplies-specific tips and still learn a lot about art basics including perspective, light source, composition, etc. One of the main points we teach is colored pencil and watercolor technique for slow, continuous toning, but as long as you are able to achieve the same blending result with your chosen materials, you can still benefit from our course lessons. 

Cancellation Policy: Due to the virtual nature of this product, we cannot issue a refund. You will still receive all recordings from the workshop, and you can watch them at your convenience.

By purchasing this workshop, you agree to the following Media Release: I hereby give permission to Draw Botanical LLC to use photographs, videos, and/or audio recordings in which my picture or image appears for all purposes and in all media and formats now known or later created including, without limitation, all promotional materials. I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished product or products or advertising or printed matter that may be used in connection with this video, audio or photographs or the use to which it may be applied.
I hereby irrevocably release and discharge Draw Botanical LLC and personnel from all claims, demands, and causes of action that I now have or in the future may have relating to the permitted use of my likeness.
I agree that Draw Botanical LLC will be the sole owner of all rights in the above-mentioned recordings. (Note: I maintain all rights to the work I create. Draw Botanical maintains all rights to the recorded content.) This release is governed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.