BOTANICAL ART & ARTISTS
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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
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    • 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
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    • Finnis Scott Foundation: Botanical Art Prize
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  • 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
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      • Botanic Gardens in Australia
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Botanical Painting Books 
by
Billy Showell

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Find out about Billy Showell's books about botanical portraits
- painting flowers, fruit and vegetables in watercolour


Billy Showell enjoys worldwide acclaim as a tutor and her instruction books get top ratings from her legion of fans.
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Books by Billy Showell
​

This page covers:
  • Billy Showell's Botanical Painting in Watercolour (2016)
  • A-Z of Flower Portraits: An illustrated guide to painting 40 beautiful flowers in watercolour (2010)​
  • Watercolour Fruit & Vegetable Portraits (2009 / 2014)
  • Watercolour Flower Portraits (2006 / 2014)
Banner photo: Four of Billy Showell's paintings at the Annual Exhibition of the Society of Botanical Artists in 2016. The painting of peonies was the feature image of the exhibition (catalogue cover etc.) and she was awarded a Certificate of Botanical Merit for the painting of seaweed on the right
Billy is best known as a best selling author of four very popular and highly recommended instruction books about botanical painting. Her books are very much about botanical art rather than botanical illustration.  She is also a very popular teacher of botanical painting through courses, workshops and her online website.  She teaches in the UK, USA and Australia.

I've met many botanical art students who've said that her books have helped them a great deal. I think one of the things people particularly like is she communicates very well - both when demonstrating in person and when writing her books and producing her videos.
​

I also see her paintings every year in the exhibitions of the Society of Botanical Artists in London. She's an excellent artist with a very strong and unique sense of design and composition. Her books are highly recommended for those who want to try developing the design aspects of their portraits of botanical subject matter.
About Billy Showell
  • Billy graduated from St Martins School of Art with a degree in fashion design and illustration. She subsequently changed direction - to the benefit of botanical art.
  • Billy has won five Certificates of Botanical Merit as well as other awards at annual exhibitions of the Society of Botanical Artists
  • She has work in the collection of the Hunt Institute and Kew archives.
  • In 2017, she won a Gold Medal at BISCOT and was awarded 'Best in Show Painting' for one of her paintings.
  • Billy is President Elect of the Society of Botanical Artists and will become President in 2018.
"Practice, planning and perfection are the keys to success"
Billy Showell

Billy Showell's Botanical Painting in Watercolour by Billy Showell

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Billy's latest book focuses on what's required for Botanical Painting and is very comprehensive and immensely practical. 

You'd think that by now Billy Showell has little new left to say about botanical painting - but you'd be wrong!

If you buy just one of the Billy's books I'd recommend you buy this one. 

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Amazon: out of 5 stars, rated an average of:
  • 4.8 by 735 customer reviews (UK)
  • 4.8 by 737 customer reviews (USA)
Goodreads: Rated 4.7 by 35 ratings

​
#1 New Release in Watercolor Painting on Amazon BEFORE it was even published in the USA!

In GENERIC terms, it currently ranks as 
  • 15 in Watercolour Painting Techniques (UK)​
  • #38 in Watercolor Painting (USA)
Billy is both articulate and economical with words - making her points simply and clearly. This means that all the text contributes useful and in some cases invaluable information.

It might look simple at first glance bit it's actually very dense in terms of the information and techniques and tips shared - which is why I've highlighted what some of these are about. The icing on the cake is that the paintings are also fascinating to look at and the step by step demonstrations of which there are a few are very informative.

This book includes:
  • a very comprehensive section of all the art media, equipment and tools required by a botanical artist
  • working from life - including: how to preserve your plant material; a checklist of questions for observation of your subject; dissection and measuring
  • practical methods for drawing plants
  • different painting tools and techniques for painting botanical subjects
plus lots and lots of very practical tips throughout.
​The section of basic watercolour painting techniques - applied to botanical painting - includes:
  • how to work wet-in-wet, lift out paint and dab out colour
  • how to work wet on dry and drop in colour and water
  • how to work using a dry brush technique
  • how to blend colours and overlay glazes
  • how to build colour and deepen colours using glazes
  • how to life out and remove fine lines, highlights and veins
  • how to create persuasive shadow areas
  • how to use tools to achieve special effects
A selection of more detailed techniques for painting features and surfaces of plants and flowers - includes:
  • how to paint detail
  • how to paint stems of different types and sizes
  • how to tackle the convolutions associated with pleats, folds and fluted edges, fused petals, serrated edges and prickly surfaces
  • how to achieve a pattern
  • how to paint different types of surfaces - furry, velvety, bloom, downy, hairy, fluffy, crinkly, shiny, and pitted;
  • intelligent comments about various hues and paints;
  • how to achieve different colour mixes including the secrets of mixing blacks for very dark blooms;
  • a checklist of pointers when considering composition plus how to place a subject on the page, create balance and use shapes for your design;
  • how to stretch and finish your work - including how to flatten a paper that has cockled​
Click here to view the errata slip for this title
This is a rave review Billy Showell's new book! by a Polish botanical artist ​

​BUY IN THE UK
  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Kindle edition also available
  • Publisher: Search Press Ltd
  • Publication date: 21 Mar. 2016
Billy Showell's Botanical Painting in Watercolour from Amazon UK
BUY IN THE USA
  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Kindle edition also available
  • Publisher: Search Press Ltd
  • Publication date: July 12, 2016​
Billy Showell's Botanical Painting in Watercolour from Amazon.com

A-Z of Flower Portraits: 
An Illustrated Guide to Painting 40 Beautiful Flowers in Watercolour
by Billy Showell​
​

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Amazon: out of 5 stars, rated an average of:
  • in UK: 4.8 based on 300 customer reviews
  • in USA: 4.7 based on 294 customer reviews​​
This rapidly became an extremely popular book when first published because it provided the sort of detail often lacking in more conventional books about how to paint flowers.

​It includes 40 flower projects - in alphabetical order.

It focuses on a number of projects to paint different types of flowers with different challenges in each.  It features:
  • clear and concise instructions
  • a solid overview of the skills required to paint flowers

​Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Search Press
Publication date: September 1, 2010

BUY THIS BOOK
A-Z of Flower Portraits: An Illustrated Guide to Painting 40 Beautiful Flowers in Watercolour from Amazon UK
A-Z of Flower Portraits: An Illustrated Guide to Painting 40 Beautiful Flowers in Watercolour from Amazon.com

Watercolour Fruit & Vegetable Portraits
by Billy Showell
​

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Amazon: out of 5 stars, rated an average of:
  • 4.7 by 219 customer reviews (UK)
  • 4.8 by 215 customer reviews​ (USA)
There aren't too many botanical art books which focus purely on fruit and vegetables - as this one does.

The first half of the book deals with
  • Drawing,
  • Colour,
  • Composition,
  • Techniques and
  • Light and Shade.

The second half then goes on to apply this knowledge and skills in step by step project which include projects about Kohl Rabi, Pumpkin Still Life, Lemons and Heart of Berries


​Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Search Press Ltd
Publication date: March 2009
Reprint edition: 9 May 2014

​BUY THIS BOOK
Watercolour Fruit & Vegetable Portraits from Amazon UK
Watercolour Fruit & Vegetable Portraits from Amazon.com

Watercolour Flower Portraits by Billy Showell
​

Watercolour Flower Portraits by Billy Showell
Amazon: out of 5 stars, rated an average of:
  • 4.6 by 92 customer reviews (UK)
  • 4.7 by 84 customer reviews (USA)​
Billly's first book is invaluable for those wanting to develop their skills in painting flowers

This book began doing very well when it was chosen to be the lead title by the largest art book club in the USA!

This isn't a book for the complete beginner as it assumes quite a lot of experience with watercolour painting. It's more for the watercolour painter who now wants to become great at painting flowers without any visible means of support!


Projects include: Slipper Orchid, Green Goddess Lily, Roses and Delphinium

​Paperback: 128 pages
Published: 2006
Publisher: Search Press (2014)
[Cover revised in 2021]
​
BUY THIS BOOK
Watercolour Flower Portraits from Amazon UK
Watercolour Flower Portraits from Amazon.com

​This is the previous cover - to avoid confusion. The book is the same only the cover got updated.
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Video review of Billy Showell's Books
​

This is a review by a big fan of Billy Showell's books. She's NOT a botanical artist but she's a huge fan of the scope and detail of the techniques demonstrated in the books. She's particularly positive about the number of images used for each technique demonstration.
​

HOME
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 Book Reviews

  • The Art of Botanical Painting by Margaret Stevens
  • The Botanical Palette by Margaret Stevens
  • Botanical Sketchbook by Mary Ann Scott and Margaret Stevens
  • 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 (also see note below re. botany books)
Resources about  Botanical Art and For Botanical Artists
ABOUT: About the Author | Contact | Testimonials | Privacy Policy                  COPYRIGHT 2015-22: Katherine Tyrrell  all rights reserved.
NEWS 
News Blog about artists, awards, exhibitions etc.
HISTORY
- Best Books about Botanical Art History
- History of Botanical Art 
- Herbals
- Florilegia
- Patrons
​
- Past Masters - Botanical Art and Illustration
​- Famous Asian Past Masters (600-1900
- 20th & 21st Century Botanical Artists
- Botanical Art Online
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
- Botanical Artists around the world 

EXHIBITIONS
-
Calls for Entries
- Exhibitions around the world
- Online Exhibitions
- RHS Exhibitions
- Hunt Exhibitions
​
ORGANISATIONS
- Botanical Art Societies - national / regional / local
- 
Florilegium & Groups
- Botanical Art Groups on Facebook

EDUCATION
- Tips and Techniques
- Best Botanical Art Instruction Books
- Directory of Teachers
- Directory of Courses
- Online Botanical Art Courses
- Diplomas and Certificates
​
- Talks, Lectures and Tours

ART MATERIALS (Paper / Vellum)

BOTANY FOR ARTISTS
-
 Scientific Botanical Illustration
- Best Botany Books for Artists
- Plant Names & Botanical Latin

BOTANIC GARDENS & Herbaria
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  • Home
    • Site Index
  • NEWS
    • NEWS blog subscription
  • HISTORY
    • What is Botanical Art?
    • What is Botanical Illustration?
    • 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
    • Botanical and Herbal Art Online
  • ARTISTS
    • Botanical Artists in the UK
    • Botanical Artists in North America
    • Botanical Artists in Europe
    • Botanical Artists in Australia and New Zealand
    • Botanical Artists in Asia
    • Botanical Artists in Africa
    • 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
  • Contact
    • About Katherine Tyrrell
    • About Reviews
    • Privacy Policy