BOTANICAL ART & ARTISTS
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    • Best Botanical Art Instruction Books >
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        • The Art of Botanical Painting - review
        • The Botanical Palette - review
        • Botanical Sketchbook - review
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Book Review: Botanical Sketchbook

by Mary Ann Scott with Margaret Stevens
Picture

Botanical Sketchbook
​

Synopsis

The book is a form of journal of the efforts of Mary Ann Scott, a Student completing assignments for the Society of Botanical Artists' Diploma in Botanical Illustration. 

​As part of the Distance Learning Diploma Course run by the Society of Botanical Artists, students are required to keep a sketchbook. The one kept by Mary Ann Scott was exceptional and prompted the idea for this book - in liaison with Margret Stevens, the (then) Director of the Distance Learning Diploma Course.

Her book covers
  • the exercises, colour charts and basic preparatory work for each assignment,
  • plus the three works for her final portfolio.

Suitable for:
  • actual and potential students of any botanical art course
  • aspiring botanical artists
  • botanical artists who want to improve their work
  • botanical art tutors​
Summary

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: This book is a record of one woman's development into a successful botanical artist.

​It 
provides a masterclass for all aspiring botanical artists.

​It's a recommended purchase for
  • all students of the Society of Botanical Artist's Diploma in Botanical illustration
  • all other aspiring botanical art students and artists and many of their tutors.
​It provides an excellent benchmark for the standard of botanical illustration and painting which can be achieved by an exceptional student. ​If anybody wants to know the sort of standard of botanical painting achievable by somebody who applies themselves while doing the Diploma Course then this is the book to buy.

It also tells the story of how such excellence can be developed - through much practice and intelligent use of the botanical sketchbook.
Highlights:
  • the story of studying for a Diploma in Botanical Illustration - with a chapter for each assignment
  • provides a students perspective on completing the Diploma
  • provides an insight into what is taught and what tutors are looking for
  • demonstrates the qualities of character required for botanical art as well as artistic skills
  • lots of practical botanical art tips
  • particularly helpful for watercolour artists - colour charts and colour mixing swatches permeate this book
  • very well produced - the standard of colour reproduction of the illustrations is excellent
  • provides a practical benchmark for all students of botanical art and their tutors
Think Again?
  • while the book outlines the assignments it doesn't contain all the material provided for Diploma students. This is only accessible by enrolled students or by visitors to the Annual Exhibition of the SBA.
  • the sketchbook module is no longer required
Picture
Mary Ann Scott, author of Botanical Sketchbook, with two examples of her assignment work which are included in the book
Authors

Mary Ann Scott with Margaret Stevens
(in association with the Society of Botanical Artists) 

Mary Ann Scott received a Diploma with Distinction on the Distance Learning Course run by the Society of Botanical Artists and became a full member of the SBA in 2009.​​ 

Read my interview with Mary Ann Scott in 
A Making A Mark Interview with Mary Ann Scott
 

in which she talks about:
  • ​her preferred watercolour paper
  • her preferred brushes
  • the watercolour paints she uses
This book is good for people with knowledge of watercolor who want to look at refining their skills. And it is also good for new artists who want to get a sense of how much study, research, and work goes into creating a final piece of work. 
Roz Stendahl
Picture
Hardcover (with dust jacket) - 128 pages;
UK Publisher (1st edition): Batsford - Anova Books {April 2010)
USA Publisher: Smithsonian (November 1, 2005)
Current edition 
Paperback: 128 pages | Publisher: Batsford Ltd (5 Mar. 2015)

​Average Customer Rating out of 5 stars:
  • in UK: 4.7 based on 45 customer reviews
  • in USA: 4.3 based on 34 customer reviews​

BUY THIS BOOK
Botanical Sketchbook from Amazon.co.uk
Botanical Sketchbook from Amazon.com

More about this book....
​

The story of this book

I was told the story of how this book came about by Margaret Stevens, the President of the Society of Botanical Artists last year at the Annual Exhibition when we were talking about the work of the artists studying for the the Distance Learning Diploma Course in Botanical Illustration (see A Making A Mark Interview with Margaret Stevens). 

In brief, the assignments and sketchbook of one student from the January 2006 intake impressed a lot of the tutors and it was felt that this could work well as a book and a learning tool for all students of botanical illustration.
What it covers

This book contains:
  • a record of every single assignment
  • Mary Ann Scott's account of how she tackled each assignment - including all her sketchbook preparation in terms of studies and working drawings plus the final work submitted for the assignment
  • comments from DLDC Director/Tutor Margaret Stevens - introducing the nature and purpose of each assignment and commenting on the feedback Mary Ann received for each assignment

It's the perfect complement for the two books previously produced in association with the Society of Botanical artists:
  • The Art of Botanical Painting which is the main textbook used for the Diploma Course and
  • The Botanical Palette: Colour for the Botanical Painter 
It also acts as an excellent reference work for any botanical art tutor wanting to demonstrate to their students what sort of standard can be achieved by an exceptional student.
Picture
Current back cover of the book
Picture
The back cover of my copy of this book
Aspects of development

Most botanical art students will be familiar with the notions that to achieve an excellent standard in botanical art, it's essential to acquire knowledge (about botany and how to draw and paint) and develop various competences in the skills required.

What might be less apparent to some are the qualities of character which are also critical and thse are also highlighted in this book. Qualities of patience, discipline and application to practising and a willngness to explore and experiement are vitally important. An acceptance that not everything turns out right first time and the fortitude to be be willing to pick yourself up and try again are also very helpful.
Picture
Neutral Shade Card developed by Mary Ann Scott and displayed in the book
Colour notes

I think all watercolour artists will enjoy Mary Ann's constant attention to how to get the colour right and her colour mixes which are found throughout the book - annotated with her code for the product names (which can be found in the appendix) along with notes of her favourite colours.​

I particularly loved all the experiments with colour in the margins of the sketchbook and all the careful annotations as to which colours have been used.

Anatomy, structure, design and composition

What's hugely valuable is the analysis of all the ways in which a student can get lost in and distracted by a plant while attempting to draw its structure - and the need to develop strategies to deal with this

I also enjoyed seeing how Mary Ann approached the task of composing her work on the page for the assignments where skills in composition all counted for marks awarded.
Feedback
​
I also found Margaret's comments to be very helpful.

​The emphasis on the importance of using a sketchbook and the need to get a good grounding in the basics before proceeding to what I always think of as 'the flowery bit' is invaluable to all those looking for quick results.
This page is based on a book review which was first published as on Making A Mark Reviews on 15 April 2010

GO TO: The Best Botanical Art Instruction Books

​
GO TO: The Best Botany Books for Botanical Artists and Illustrators
​
GO TO: The Best Books about Botanical Art History, Artists and Illustrators

Other In-depth Book Reviews

  • The Art of Botanical Painting by Margaret Stevens
  • The Botanical Palette by Margaret Stevens
  • Books by Billy Showell - four very popular books of relevance to botanical artists
  • Books with the Eden Project (Martin & Thurstan)
  • Botanical Illustration (Oxley) by Valerie Oxley
  • Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils by Ann Swan
  • Botany for the Artist by Sarah Simblet 
Resources about  Botanical Art and For Botanical Artists
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  • Home
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    • What is Botanical Art?
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    • Botanical Art History Books >
      • The Art of Botanical Illustration (Blunt)
      • Book Review: Treasures of Botanical Art
    • Herbals
    • Florilegia and Flora
    • Patrons of Botanical Art >
      • About Leonhart Fuchs
      • About Basilius Besler
    • Past Masters - Botanical Art and Illustration >
      • About Maria Sibylla Merian
      • About Elizabeth Blackwell
      • About Georg Dionysius Ehret
      • About Franz Bauer
      • About Sydney Parkinson
      • About Pierre-Joseph Redouté
      • About Marianne North
    • Famous Asian Botanical Artists (600-1900)
    • 20th & 21st Century Botanical Artists >
      • About Arthur Harry Church
      • About Margaret Mee
      • About Mary Grierson
      • About Raymond Booth
      • About Rory McEwen
      • About Pandora Sellars
    • Botanical Photographers
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    • Botanical Artists in Latin America
    • Botanical Printmakers, Photographers, Sculptors et al
    • The Jill Smythies Award
    • Botanical Artists on Facebook
    • Botanical Art Blogs
  • Exhibitions
    • Calls for Entries - OPEN exhibitions
    • Online Exhibitions >
      • ARCHIVE: Online Botanical Art Exhibitions
    • RHS Botanical Art & Photography Shows >
      • ARCHIVE RHS Botanical Art Shows 2007-2024
      • Exhibit Titles at RHS Botanical Art Shows
      • RHS Portfolio Photography (Botanical / Horticultural)
    • The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art >
      • ARCHIVE: Shirley Sherwood Gallery Exhibitions
    • Hunt International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration
    • UK >
      • Permanent Collections (UK)
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions at Major UK Galleries & Museums >
        • ARCHIVE: Major Gallery Exhibitions
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions in England and Wales >
        • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in the UK
        • ARCHIVE: Reviews of Annual Exhibitions by the Society of Botanical Artists
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions in Scotland >
        • ARCHIVE: Scotland - Botanical Art Exhibitions
    • North America >
      • Permanent Collections (USA)
      • ARCHIVE Past ASBA Exhibitions in the USA
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in the USA
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Canada
    • Europe >
      • Permanent Collections (Europe)
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Europe
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Exhibitions in Germany
      • ARCHIVE: ​Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Ireland
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Exhibitions in Russia
    • Australasia >
      • Margaret Flockton Award
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Australasia
    • Asia >
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Asia
    • Africa
    • ARCHIVE: World Wide Exhibition of Botanical Art 2018
  • Education
    • NEW BOOKS about Botanical Art and Illustration >
      • NEW in 2020: Books about Botanical Art & Illustration
      • NEW IN 2019: Books about Botanical Art & Illustration
      • NEW in 2018: Books about Botanical Art & Illustration
    • Best Botanical Art Instruction Books >
      • Best Instruction Books by Botanical Art Societies >
        • The Art of Botanical Painting - review
        • The Botanical Palette - review
        • Botanical Sketchbook - review
      • Best Instruction Books about Botanical Illustration >
        • Botanical Illustration - Books by Bobbi Angell
        • Botanical Illustration (Oxley) - review
      • Best Instruction Books by top Artists / Teachers >
        • Books By Billy Showell
        • Books - the Eden Project
      • Best Botanical Drawing Instruction Books (Pencils) >
        • Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils - review
      • e-Booklets / digital guides
    • Tips and Techniques >
      • Tips from RHS Gold Medal Winners
      • Preparation and set-up
      • Botanical Sketching and Sketchbooks
      • Design and composition
      • Colour
      • Pen and Ink
      • How to draw and paint trees and leaves
    • Botanical Art Video Tips >
      • Video Tips: Watercolour Painting
      • Video Tips Coloured Pencils
      • Video Tips: Pencil drawing
      • Video Tips: Painting Flowers
      • Video Tips: Painting Leaves & Trees
    • Online Botanical Art Instruction >
      • CHECKLIST: FAQS about Online Learning
      • ONLINE TIMELINE
    • International Directory: Botanical Art Teachers
    • International Directory of Botanical Art Courses >
      • UK: Botanical Art Courses
      • North America: Botanical Art Courses
      • Europe: Botanical Art Courses & Holidays
      • Australasia: Botanical Art Courses
    • Artist Residencies, Scholarships and Bursaries
    • Diplomas and Certificates >
      • SBA Diploma Assignments
    • Distance Learning Courses
    • Talks, Lectures & Tours
    • Botanical Education on Facebook
  • Materials
    • Paper
    • Vellum
  • Groups
    • National & Regional Botanical Art Societies
    • Florilegium Societies & Other Groups
    • Finnis Scott Foundation: Botanical Art Prize
    • Botanical Art Groups on Facebook
  • Botany
    • Why botany matters to artists
    • Botany Books for artists >
      • Botany for the Artist (Simblet)
      • The Art of Plant Evolution
      • The Concise British Flora in Colour (1965)
    • Scientific botanical illustration
    • Plant Forms and Anatomy
    • Plant Evolution and Taxonomy
    • Plant Names and Botanical Latin
    • Botanical Dictionaries
    • How to Identify Plants
    • Recording a Plant / Sketchbooks >
      • Plant Pressing for your own Herbarium
    • Botanic Gardens & Herbaria >
      • Global and National Networks
      • Herbaria, Seed Banks and Fungaria
      • Old Botanic & Physic Gardens in London
      • Botanic Gardens in the UK
      • Botanic Gardens in Ireland
      • Botanic Gardens in Europe
      • Botanic Gardens in the USA
      • Botanic Gardens in Canada
      • Botanic Gardens in Asia
      • Botanic Gardens in Australia
    • Blogs about Plants and Flowers
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