The New York Botanical Garden

Quick Searches
Evening Sessions
Upcoming Sessions
Saturday Sessions

Highlighted Classes
* Landscape Design Portfolios
* Gardening Lectures

Request Catalog
Certificate Programs
Academic Programs
Gift Certificate

Site Help
Storm Closings
Policies & Procedures
FAQ
Directions
Off-Site Classes & Locations
Contact Us

Reading Course Codes

Botanical Art and Illustration encompasses a variety of techniques for depicting botanical subjects in fine art, scientific illustration, and decorative design. Our interdisciplinary approach integrates botany and art in both the garden and the classroom settings, and instructors are professional artists with backgrounds in botanical and natural science, design, and illustration. Many of our Certificate recipients have published their work in academic and horticultural journals, in children’s books as illustrations, and in publications for conservation groups, museums, and public gardens.

The Garden offers two Certificates in this program area: Botanical Art (track 1) and Natural Science Illustration (track 2). Register for classes leading to a Certificate or enroll in individual courses of personal interest. Beginners as well as those with previous art experience are welcome.

The Program Coordinator, Wendy Hollender, holds a BFA in textile design from the Rhode Island School of Design and earned a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration at the Garden. She is the founder of WH Art & Design, which focuses on original botanical artwork for a variety of uses, including museums and conservation groups. In addition, she not only teaches at the Garden, but works on projects and exhibits internationally.

Blog Posts:

Nature in New York: A First and a Success
by Wendy Hollender

All Sessions
[100-999]

General
[100-299]

Certificate
[300-599]

Special
[600-899]

Workshops
[900-949]

Intensive
[950-999]

[BIL 300] Plant Morphology for Botanical Illustrators

Mon 10/19/09
to
Mon 12/14/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON315

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Dick Rauh]

[BIL 301] Drawing I--Basic

Tue 10/06/09
to
Tue 11/10/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON319

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Elissa Gore]

Wed 10/07/09
to
Wed 11/18/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NCNC]
Off-Site

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Kathie Miranda]

Sat 01/09/10
to
Sat 02/13/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

103BIL301D

Mon 01/11/10
to
Mon 03/01/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYOC]
Off-Site

103BIL301E

[BIL 302] Drawing II--Plants

Wed 11/04/09
to
Wed 12/09/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Laura Vogel]

Tue 11/17/09
to
Tue 12/15/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Elissa Gore]

Wed 12/02/09
to
Wed 01/13/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NCNC]
Off-Site

102BIL302C

Sat 02/20/10
to
Sat 03/27/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

103BIL302D

Mon 03/08/10
to
Mon 04/12/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYOC]
Off-Site

103BIL302E

[BIL 303] Drawing III: Flowers

Wed 10/07/09
to
Wed 11/18/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON319

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Wendy Hollender]

Sat 01/09/10
to
Sat 02/13/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

103BIL303D

Materials List

-- Pencils or lead holders: 2H, HB, 2B pencils (any brand)
--Erasers: 1 each kneaded and white plastic (tube style if possible)
-- Drawing paper: Strathmore Series 400, REGULAR surface, 14"x17" pad. Strathmore Series 400 Recycled is whiter and just as good to work on. Their Windpower line is also good. Do NOT get sketch or smooth.
-- Tracing paper: Pad 9"x12" or larger. Get Canson Calque if you can - it is the most transparent. Do not get heavier "vellum" tracing.
--Pencil sharpeners: The best: Panasonic KP4A battery operated sharpener which I can now can only find at Amazon.com. Alternate: Prismacolor black bullet-shaped hand sharpener.
-- Drafting brush or other soft brush to sweep away eraser crumbs. I use a blush brush which has its own carrying case.
-- Tape: Low-tack, repositionable such as Scotch Removable Magic Tape 3/4" or drafting tape.
-- Ruler: C-Thru brand. Transparent, 6" or longer, 2" wide, printed with grid lines. Used to measure subjects and maintain proportions.
-- Scissors
-- X-acto knife with #11 blade and small pack of replacement blades. Make sure it comes with a cap
-- Inexpensive pre-cut mat 8x12" or larger, cut into framing "L's" - I can show you how to do this in class.
-- Magnifying lens: Get one with a clamp or stand or figure out some way of keeping both hands free.
-- Sheet of mounting or illustration board that is black on one side, white on the other, 14"x17" or larger and a means to stand it up (to use as a simplifying background for flower.)
-- Something to arrange your flowers, keep them fresh, and get them home safely, for instance:
-- Arrange: vase, jar, frog, florist foam ('oasis'), various types of clips, X-Acto "third hand", velcro tape, masking tape, straight pins, florists wire...
-- Transport: baggies, paper towels and rubber bands or foil, plastic containers, shopping bags, etc.

-- Optional:
proportion wheel; scissors; eraser shield; white tube eraser(s); other pencil hardnesses; Saral paper; drawing board; light; metal or plastic triangle with one 90-degree corner

[BIL 305] The History of Botanical Art

Tue 01/05/10
to
Tue 01/26/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON307

103BIL305

[BIL 309] Drawing Natural Science

Wed 01/20/10
to
Wed 02/24/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON312

103BIL309

[BIL 324] Orchid Morphology

Mon 03/08
One Day Class
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON315

103BIL324

[BIL 328] Scaling Up: Enlarging the Specimen

Fri 02/12/10
to
Fri 02/19/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON315

103BIL328

[BIL 331] Botanical Watercolor I: Techniques

Tue 10/06/09
to
Tue 10/27/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Louisa Rawle Tine]

Sat 01/09/10
to
Sat 01/30/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON312

103BIL331C

Thu 01/28/10
to
Thu 02/18/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NCNC]
Off-Site

103BIL331D

[BIL 332] Botanical Watercolor II: Painting

Tue 11/03/09
to
Tue 12/15/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON315

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Louisa Rawle Tine]

Sat 02/06/10
to
Sat 02/27/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON312

103BIL332C

Thu 03/11/10
to
Thu 04/15/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NCNC]
Off-Site

103BIL332D

[BIL 333] Botanical Watercolor III: Advanced Painting

Tue 02/02/10
to
Tue 03/09/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

103BIL333

[BIL 346] Drawing Mammals in Graphite

Mon 10/19/09
to
Thu 10/22/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON312

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Katie Lee]

[BIL 348] Acrylic Painting - Botanical and Natural History Subjects

Mon 11/02/09
to
Thu 11/05/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON312

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Katie Lee]

[BIL 400] Pen and Ink I - Techniques

Thu 01/14/10
to
Thu 01/28/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON312

103BIL400

[BIL 401] Pen and Ink II : Illustration

Thu 02/25/10
to
Thu 04/01/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON312

103BIL401

[BIL 407] Illustrating Nature's Design in Graphite

Mon 03/15/10
to
Wed 03/17/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON319

103BIL407

[BIL 410] Light on Form

Thu 02/25
One Day Class
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON307

103BIL410

[BIL 411] Light on Form in Color

Thu 03/18
One Day Class
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON319

103BIL411

[BIL 415] Colored Pencil I: Techniques

Mon 10/05/09
to
Mon 11/09/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYOC]
Off-Site

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Wendy Hollender]

Wed 10/07/09
to
Wed 11/11/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON319

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Wendy Hollender]

Fri 01/08/10
to
Fri 02/05/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NCNC]
Off-Site

103BIL415C

Materials List

-- Sense of fun, the desire to explore and work hard.
--Bring all materials from Drawing I & II including:
-- A NEW kneaded eraser that you will use for colored pencil ONLY
--Panasonic battery sharpener, KP4A. It is the best. About $13 on Amazon.com. Alternately get Prismacolor's black bullet-shaped hand sharpener.
-- Electric eraser (optional)
--Small clear plastic ruler
-- Low-tack tape
-- A waterproof case or portfolio to protect your work and supplies.
-- 11"x14" or larger drawing pad; EITHER of the following brands (or equivalent):
-- Strathmore series 400 recycled 80lb, medium surface, OR
-- Rising Stonehenge 250GSM, vellum finish
-- 11"x14" Canson Calque tracing paper (I have not found a brand as clear as Canson Calque)

Note:
Different lines of colored pencil have different working qualities. (Some are harder, some waxier, etc. I will have samples for you to try in class.) Start slowly - invest only in the minimum colors listed here by purchasing from 'open stock, then add to your basic colors after the first class. Pencils sold in sets often contain colors you rarely use. You can intermingle brands freely. You can start with either Faber Castell Polychromos (oil-based) OR Prismacolor (wax-based). Both are among the softest colored pencil lines. A note of caution: Not all colors offered are lightfast despite manufacturer's ratings. The colors I list have been tested by the Colored Pencil Society of America.

Faber Castell
--Primaries: Light Yellow Glaze 104, Canary Yellow 108, Ultramarine 120, Phthalo Blue 110, Pale Geranium Lake 121, Fuchsia 123
-- Secondaries: Cadmium Orange 111, Earth Green Yellowish 168, Dark Phthalo Green 264, Purple 194, Delft Blue 141
-- Light values: Cadmium Yellow Lemon 205, Cobalt Green 156
--Deep values: Indanthrone Blue 247, Chrome Oxide Green 278, Dark Sepia 175, Black 199
--Earth hues: Light Yellow Ochre 183, Venetian Red 190, Raw Umber 180, Burnt Sienna 283
-- For burnishing, highlights and lightening colors: White 101, Ivory 103
OR
Prismacolor Premier Lightfast (LF numbers are new lightfast line, PC numbers are standard line):
-- Primaries: Lemon Yellow LF115, Canary Yellow LF116, Cobalt Blue Hue LF133, Cerulean Blue LF103, Thio Violet LF195, Permanent Red LF 122 (or Cadmium Red Hue LF124)
-- Secondaries: Cadmium Orange Hue LF118, Phthalo Green LF108, Dioxide Purple Hue LF132
--Light values: Cinnabar Yellow LF189, Blue Silver LF287, Manganese Oxide LF209, Cobalt Turquoise LF105
-- Deep values: Indanthrone Blue LF208, Prussian Green LF109, Black Grape PC996, Raw Umber LF146
--Earth hues: Burnt Ochre LF143, Gamboge LF203
-- For burnishing, highlights and lightening colors: Colorless Blender, White LF138, Ivory Oxide LF114
AND

In addition to either the Faber Castell or Prismacolor listed above, also bring:
--Verithin colored pencils: Set of 12 minimum, but if you think you'll like a hard pencil, buy the biggest set. Staples often carries them. There is no substitute for their hardness.
-- Any other colored pencils you may already have.

Wed 01/13/10
to
Wed 02/10/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON319

103BIL415D

[BIL 416] Colored Pencil II: Applications

Wed 11/18/09
to
Wed 12/23/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Wendy Hollender]

Mon 11/16/09
to
Mon 12/21/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYOC]
Off-Site

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Wendy Hollender]

Fri 02/12/10
to
Fri 03/12/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NCNC]
Off-Site

103BIL416C

NOTE: These are the same materials as BIL415 Colored Pencil 1. During the class, for students' convenience, the instructor will have colored paper and mylar at cost. You are welcome to purchase those on your own.

-- Bring all materials from Drawing I & II including:
-- A NEW kneaded eraser that you will use for colored pencil ONLY
-- Panasonic battery sharpener, KP4A. It is the best. About $13 on Amazon.com. Alternately get Prismacolor's black bullet-shaped hand sharpener.
-- Electric eraser (optional)
-- Small clear plastic ruler
-- Low-tack tape
-- A waterproof case or portfolio to protect your work and supplies.
-- 11"x14" or larger drawing pad; EITHER of the following brands (or equivalent):
-- Strathmore series 400 recycled 80lb, medium surface, OR
-- Rising Stonehenge 250GSM, vellum finish
-- 11"x14" Canson Calque tracing paper (I have not found a brand as clear as Canson Calque)

Bring any and all colored pencils you already have. If you did not take BIL415, then you will need to get the pencils as described below:
Different lines of colored pencil have different working qualities. (Some are harder, some waxier, etc. I will have samples for you to try in class.) Start slowly - invest only in the minimum colors listed here by purchasing from 'open stock, then add to your basic colors after the first class. Pencils sold in sets often contain colors you rarely use. You can intermingle brands freely. You can start with either Faber Castell Polychromos (oil-based) OR Prismacolor (wax-based). Both are among the softest colored pencil lines. A note of caution: Not all colors offered are lightfast despite manufacturer's ratings. The colors I list have been tested by the Colored Pencil Society of America.

Prismacolor Premier Lightfast (LF numbers are new lightfast line, PC numbers are standard line):
-- Primaries: Lemon Yellow LF115, Canary Yellow LF116, Cobalt Blue Hue LF133, Cerulean Blue LF103, Thio Violet LF195, Permanent Red LF 122 (or Cadmium Red Hue LF124)
-- Secondaries: Cadmium Orange Hue LF118, Phthalo Green LF108, Dioxide Purple Hue LF132
-- Light values: Cinnabar Yellow LF189, Blue Silver LF287, Manganese Oxide LF209, Cobalt Turquoise LF105
-- Deep values: Indanthrone Blue LF208, Prussian Green LF109, Black Grape PC996, Raw Umber LF146
-- Earth hues: Burnt Ochre LF143, Gamboge LF203
-- For burnishing, highlights and lightening colors: Colorless Blender, White LF138, Ivory Oxide LF114

AND

In addition to either the Faber Castell or Prismacolor listed above, also bring:
-- Verithin colored pencils: Set of 12 minimum, but if you think you'll like a hard pencil, buy the biggest set. Staples often carries them. There is no substitute for their hardness.

Wed 02/24/10
to
Wed 03/24/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

103BIL416D

[BIL 421] The Art of Composition

Tue 03/16/10
to
Thu 03/25/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

103BIL421

[BIL 425] Drawing Flowers with Watercolor Pencil and Colored Pencil

Wed 01/20/10
to
Wed 02/10/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

103BIL425

[BIL 430] Hand Lettering for Artists

Thu 01/14/10
to
Thu 02/04/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON319

103BIL430

[BIL 437] Seasonal Highlights in Color: Roots and Tubers

Sat 10/24/09
to
Sun 10/25/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Scott Rawlins]

[BIL 437] Seasonal Highlights in Color: Tropical Fruits

Fri 01/22/10
to
Fri 01/29/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON312

103BIL437C

[BIL 437] Seasonal Highlights in Color: Fruits & Vegetables: Cross-Sections & Whole

Mon 02/22/10
to
Mon 03/01/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

103BIL437D

[BIL 437] Seasonal Highlights in Color: Illustrating Spring Flowers

Sat 03/20/10
to
Sun 03/21/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON312

103BIL437E

Materials List

1. HB .5mm mechanical pencil and a soft regular graphite pencil (may also bring other pencils of varying lead grades, 2H, 2B, 4B, 6B)
2. kneaded and white plastic eraser
3. pad of tracing paper (9"X12" or larger)
4. Optional - a 11" X14" pad of good quality or acid-free drawing paper (Strathmore 400 or any other heavier type paper is good)
5. White artist's tape
6. cotton swabs or tortillons
7. two boxes (a shoe box and one that is larger like a wine box)
8. eraser shield
9. an 9"X12" pad (or larger) or several sheets of 140 lb. hot-pressed watercolor paper (if you bring single sheets of paper, bring a drawing board with clips to hold paper in place)
10. An assortment of good watercolor brushes (not necessarily your best acrylic and sable mixes are fine) in a range of sizes (try to have pairs in similar sizes, like 0, 1, 3,4,6,7)
11. Portable pencil sharpener
12. A set of good quality water-soluble colored pencils of at least 24 count, (preferably more) (Caran d'ache. Staedler, Derwent, Lyra, Prismacolor, Faber-Castell are a few of the acceptable brands)
13. Transparent watercolor paints in a range of warm and cool colors (artist's quality and should include the following if possible:) cadmium red, quinacridone rose (or red), permanent magenta, cadmium yellow pale, cadmium yellow deep, lemon yellow cobalt blue, pthalo blue, ultramarine blue burnt sienna, burnt umber, viridian green, yellow ochre, indanthrone blue, sap green (and white gouache if available).
14. Palettes - one flat and one plastic "egg-crate" style for mixing washes
15. an eyedropper
16. a range of wax-based colored pencils with a good range of warm and cool colors that include: greens, pinks, yellows and reds, colorless blender and a range of light colors for burnishing which can include: cream, white, cloud blue, deco rose (yellow/orange/peach/blue), greyed lavender, sand, yellow chartreuse, 10% warm and cool gray ALSO a colorless blender (a colorless wax pencil) and a Prismacolor clear blender(which is a marker with no color).
17. A pot of spring flowers (Pansies, narcissus, tulips whatever is available) drawn on watercolor paper (bring in plant and drawing!) to first class

[BIL 484] Special Effects in Gouache for Natural Science Subjects

Tue 03/02/10
to
Tue 04/13/10
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON307

103BIL484

[BIL 485] Gilding on Paper

Sat 12/05/09
to
Sun 12/06/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

102BIL485

[BIL 496] Monthly Critiques for Final Projects in Botanical Illustration Certificate

Thu 10/08/09
to
Thu 12/17/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON313

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Wendy Hollender]

[BIL 523] The Art of Painting Ferns in Watercolor

Sat 10/17/09
to
Sun 10/18/09
[Schedule]

Location: [NYBG]
WATSON320

Closed for Online Registration
Call the Registration Office: 718.817.8747
Instructor: [Katie Lee]

Print this page