School of Botanical Art and Illustration

Inspiring people to explore a world where art and plants intertwine creating an atmosphere of shared interest in all things botanical, while nurturing the artist within – all in beautiful garden surrounds. Visit Brookside Gardens to learn more. 

Course Calendar

The 2017 Fall-Winter Xperience Guide will be available in print starting mid-August and an online link to the catalog is listed below. Registration for fall and winter programs opens August 14. The core curriculum to obtain a certificate will be offered again starting in the Fall of 2017.  Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from experienced artists and network with other students. Enjoy the small class size and the beautiful garden setting for inspiration. Encourage your fellow artists to register with you!

Spring & Summer Xperience Guide

Fall & Winter Xperience Guide

Register for our botanical art and illustration classes online through ActiveMONTGOMERY or by calling 301-962-1470. If you don’t already have an ActiveMONTGOMERY account, visit the sign in page to create one.

Certificate of Botanical Art & Illustration Program

Brookside Gardens’ School of Botanical Art & Illustration is happy to announce that it will again offer the Certificate of Botanical Art & Illustration starting this fall term. The skills required for botanical art are developed through classes in a variety of multilevel subjects that facilitate the development of proficiency in fine illustration techniques where botanical accuracy is mandatory. Core courses for this comprehensive certificate will be offered over a two-year period. An Intermediate Certificate of Botanical Art & Illustration will be available to students who wish to focus on obtaining foundational skills ending after one year of core courses. Students enrolled in the certificate program pay an additional certificate fee per class, which covers course project evaluation.

Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum required to achieve an Intermediate Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration is taken in sequence from Drawing Basics (D1) through Botanical Painting (P2) and Botany for Artists. The Core Curriculum for a Certificate in Botanical Art & illustration is taken in sequence from Drawing Basics (D1) through Art in Watercolor (A3). The classes listed below are open to anyone who has taken the prerequisites listed for each course or with equivalent experience. Students do not have to be enrolled in the certificate program to take the core courses.

• Botanical Painting (P2) and Botany for Artists complete the school’s introductory core instruction in botanical art. Students interested in obtaining an Intermediate Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration are then required to have their artwork accepted into the annual Botanica art exhibit at Brookside Gardens.
• Continuing students interested in obtaining a Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration are required to take Observe & Compose (A1), Art in Graphite (A2), Art in Watercolor (A3), and three electives. The completion of a final Certificate Project is also required.
• Total class time for each core subjects is 14 hours
• Several weeks between Painting Basics (P1) and Botanical Painting (P2) allows time for potential snow days and to complete the project for Painting Basics before continuing to Botanical Painting.
• Homework tasks and practice: allow a minimum of five hours per week.

Core Courses

• D1: Drawing Basics
• D2: Botanical Drawing
• D3: Value Study
• B2: Botany for Artists
• P1: Painting Basics
• P2: Botanical Painting
• A1: Observe & Compose
• A2: Art in Graphite
• A3: Art in Watercolor

Want to learn more?