Botanical illustration
Drawing and painting plants from life, true to every leaf, petal and vein.
Botanical illustration
- To start
- $60
- Each month
- $10
- Time
- 3 hours a week
- Sessions
- 1 hour or more
- Where
- At home
- Who with
- On your own
Is it for you?
- It's all about living things.
- It rewards care and fine detail.
- It slows your head right down.
- It asks almost nothing of your body.
You’ll like it if
- You want to build something of your own
- You want to switch off
- You want to get really good at something
Maybe not if
- You want to enjoy it from day one
- You want to switch your brain off
- You want a workout
What it feels like
Botanical illustrationAverage arts & Expression hobbyCalm
Company
Physical effort
Creative freedom
Brainwork
Hands-on
Outdoors
Quick wins
$60Costs more to start than 68% of hobbies
$10Over a year, more than the kit
$180About $1 an hour at 3 hours a week
Before you buy
Borrow from a friend or buy second-hand first. Upgrade once you know you will keep going.
Your first session
Draw a single leaf in graphite at actual size, measuring as you go, then glaze it with one watercolour wash.
1 hour or moreAt homeEasy to start
Questions
How much does botanical illustration cost to start?
About $60 if you rent or borrow where people usually do, then about $10 a month once you are going.
How much time does botanical illustration take?
About 3 hours a week to enjoy it and get better, in sessions of 1 hour or more.
Can I do botanical illustration at home?
Yes. Needs a table or a corner.
Is botanical illustration good for beginners?
Yes. It is easy to start as a complete beginner. A good first session: Draw a single leaf in graphite at actual size, measuring as you go, then glaze it with one watercolour wash.
Do I need other people for botanical illustration?
No. It works fine on your own.