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
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​

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Botanical Sketchbook from Amazon.co.uk
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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: 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