BOTANICAL ART & ARTISTS
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    • Hunt International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration
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        • ARCHIVE: Major Gallery Exhibitions
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        • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in the UK
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        • ARCHIVE: Scotland - Botanical Art Exhibitions
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      • Permanent Collections (Europe)
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Europe
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      • ARCHIVE: ​Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Ireland
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Exhibitions in Russia
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      • Margaret Flockton Award
      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Australasia
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      • ARCHIVE: Past Botanical Art Exhibitions in Asia
    • Africa
    • ARCHIVE: World Wide Exhibition of Botanical Art 2018
  • Education
    • 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
      • NEW Books about Botanical Art & Illustration (2020)
      • NEW Books about Botanical Art & Illustration (2019)
      • NEW Books about Botanical Art & Illustration (2018)
    • 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
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      • UK: Botanical Art Courses
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      • Europe: Botanical Art Courses & Holidays
      • Australasia: Botanical Art Courses
    • Diplomas and Certificates >
      • SBA Diploma Assignments
    • Distance Learning Courses
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    • Botanical Education on Facebook
    • Fellowships, Scholarships, Bursaries and Residencies
  • Materials
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    • Vellum
  • Groups
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    • Florilegium Societies & Other Groups
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  • Botany
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    • 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
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      • Global and National Networks
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        • Old Botanic & Physic Gardens in London
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Botanical Illustration
​- Books by
​Bobbi Angell

Picture
Picture
Find out about Bobbi Angell's contributions to books about scientific botanical illustration

Bobbi Angell is a professional botanical illustrator, whose name is extremely well known within the botanical art and illustration community within the USA - but maybe less well known in other parts of the world. 

Like most professional botanical illustrators, her monochrome images are typically created from herbarium specimens, pickled flowers, photographs and field sketches - and are widely published in scientific publications.

Besides her technical scientific illustrations for a wide variety of scholarly publications, she has co-authored two publications which assist the botanical illustrator who is aiming to improve both knowledge and skills. They are:
  • Botanical Illustration: Preparation for Publication  (1986) by Noel H. Holmgren and Bobbi Angell
  • A Botanist's Vocabulary: 1300 Terms Explained and Illustrated (2016) by Susan K. Pell and Bobbi Angell

The books were published 30 years apart in 1986 and 2016. I've got a used copy of her first book (that's my copy in the banner!) and ordered a brand new copy of her new book and both are valuable items on my botanical art bookshelves.

READ MORE ABOUT THEM BELOW.

About the Author: Bobbi Angell
​

In 1978 Bobbi Angell graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in botany.  She has been a freelance professional botanical illustrator ever since and illustrated more than 2,000 species.

​She has drawn scientific illustrations of plants for publication, for the botanists of the New York Botanical Garden and many other academic institutions around the world. Her work has been published in including Orchid Flora of the Greater Antilles, International Flora, Vines of Puerto Rico, and Guide to the Vascular Plants of Central French Guiana. Her drawings have also illustrated more popular books, articles and other publications  for gardeners.  She also illustrated The New York Times “Garden Q&A” column.

When not pursuing the 'day job' she also produces very beautiful botanical fine art print using copper engraving.

She is a member of the American Society of Botanical artists and New England Society of Botanical Artists. ​Her artwork is held in collections including: The New York Botanical Garden, Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Shirley Sherwood Collection,and Brooklyn Botanical Garden Florilegium.

You can read more about her in
  • the American Society of Botanical Artists Back Story​
  • An Angel of an Artist by Scott Mori
  • In This State: For botanical artist Bobbi Angell, the beauty is in the details by Andrew Nemethy

Botanical Illustration: Preparation for Publication 
​by Noel H. Holmgren and Bobbi Angell
Picture
This is a unique technical manual - an instruction and reference book for professional botanical illustrators preparing illustrations for publication. 

It might be summarised as a "how to guide for drawing plants for publication".

​It focuses on how to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way


However it was published in 1986 - more than 30 years ago!

It may be out of date - in that it doesn't cover digital techniques for producing botanical illustrations or the latest publishing methods - however, in terms of classic approaches to producing botanical illustrations for publication, this is probably one of the best reference books for botanical illustrators ever produced.
Scope: It covers:
  • working relationships between authors (botanists) and botanical illustrators
  • basic art tools and materials and their use and care
  • the size and proportion of plates
  • how to prepare figure labels and captions
  • plant illustrations - practical pointers on what to do and look for
  • maps and graphs, photographs and other half tone work
  • how to ship, store and care for your illustrations
  • Annotated Bibliography

I'd heard it was very good and got it out of interest and found it contained much of interest to the contemporary botanical illustrator.

​The discussion of different tools, materials and their uses alone would make it a valuable addition to the library of a serious botanical artist.

CAUTION! You may have to look long and hard for a reasonably priced copy. I bought my copy for £16 back in 2016 - but the price on Amazon UK now exceeds £250. 

​
Importing from the USA may seem like a reasonable proposition!  But only just - the price has rocketed there too....
​

Dear New York Botanical Garden - How about asking Bobbi Angell to do an update and second edition?


​Paperback: 74 pages
Publisher: New York Botanical Garden Pr Dept
Publication Date: February 1, 1986

BUY IN THE USA
Rated an average of 5 out of 5 stars by 1 customer review
Botanical Illustration: Preparation for Publication from Amazon.com
BUY IN THE UK
Rated an average of 5 out of 5 stars by 1 customer review
Botanical Illustration: Preparation for Publication from Amazon UK
​
Her co-author was Dr. Noel Holmgren who was associated with The New York Botanical Garden for over 50 years, first as a graduate student, then as Curator (at the time of the book), and finally Senior Curator Emeritus (retired 2005). He was also Chairman of The New York Botanical Garden Scientific Publications Committee.


A Botanist's Vocabulary: 1300 Terms Explained and Illustrated
by Susan K. Pell and Bobbi Angell
A Botanist's Vocabulary by Bobbi Angell
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
This book explains 1300 botanical terms and illustrates these using Bobbi Angell's impeccable pen and ink botanical illustrations.

Terms are organised alphabetically - so if you come across one you don't know it's easy to look it up. They most relate to plants structures i.e. what the botanical illustrator observes and represents. They also include synonyms and antonyms.

Botanical illustrators need to understand the different terms that botanists, naturalists and gardeners use to explain different features of a plant.

However, even if you've already got a dictionary of botanical terms, this book is worth getting to receive an education in the botanical illustration of different parts plants in pen and ink by an artist who is an expert, extremely experienced and much published in a wide variety of scholarly publications!

​Students looking for a reference text for botanical terms AND developing monochrome illustrations will find it invaluable.
“Bobbi Angell’s incisive illustrations not only show the botanical structures clearly, but the plant subjects are carefully chosen to be recognizable to many.” --Gardens Illustrated
Reviews: 
  • A Botanist’s Vocabulary by Esther Jackson (the Public Services Librarian at NYBG’s LuEsther T. Mertz Library )
  • ‘A Botanist’s Vocabulary’ is illustrated introduction to the plant sciences by Tania Marien
Hardcover: 228 pages
Publisher: Timber Press
Publication date: May 25, 2016

​BUY IN THE USA
Rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 18 customer reviews
A Botanist's Vocabulary: 1300 Terms Explained and Illustrated (Science for Gardeners) from Amazon.com
BUY IN THE UK
Rated an average of 5 out of 5 stars by 1 customer review
A Botanist's Vocabulary: 1300 Terms Explained and Illustrated (Science for Gardeners) (2016-05-25) from Amazon UK

Her co-author was Susan K. Pell, Ph.D., former Director of Science at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, is the Deputy Director and Science and Public Programs Manager at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.
​
“A most welcomed addition to the reference toolkits of both hobbyist and professional botanists alike. Unlike many traditional dictionaries of botanical terminology, this book is not only easy to use but pleasing on the eyes as well. . . . a must have reference piece.” --Economic Botany
Bobbi Angell creates richly detailed pen and ink drawings for botanists at the New York Botanical Garden and other institutions, and for many years illustrated the New York Times Garden Q&A column. A gardener and printmaker as well as an illustrator, she lives in southern Vermont.
Author profile

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 by Billy Showell - four very popular books of relevance to botanical artists
  • 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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​
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​
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 Scientific Botanical Illustration
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BOTANIC GARDENS & Herbaria
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  • Home
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  • 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 2007-2021
      • Exhibit Titles at RHS Botanical Art Shows
      • RHS Portfolio Photography (Botanical / Horticultural)
    • Hunt International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration
    • UK >
      • Permanent Collections (UK)
      • Botanical Art Exhibitions at Major UK Galleries & Museums >
        • ARCHIVE: Major Gallery Exhibitions
        • ARCHIVE: Shirley Sherwood 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
    • 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
      • NEW Books about Botanical Art & Illustration (2020)
      • NEW Books about Botanical Art & Illustration (2019)
      • NEW Books about Botanical Art & Illustration (2018)
    • 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
    • Diplomas and Certificates >
      • SBA Diploma Assignments
    • Distance Learning Courses
    • Talks, Lectures & Tours
    • Botanical Education on Facebook
    • Fellowships, Scholarships, Bursaries and Residencies
  • Materials
    • Paper
    • Vellum
  • Groups
    • National & Regional Botanical Art Societies
    • Florilegium Societies & Other Groups
    • 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
      • Botanic Gardens in the UK >
        • Old Botanic & Physic Gardens in London
      • 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