This page covers Diploma and Certificate Courses offered in the UK and USA.
This page covers (1) Guidelines on how to assess different options;
and (2) Listings of Diploma and Certificate courses

​My aim is to extend the information on this page to include other locations around the world. ​
Use the form at the bottom of the page to suggest a course delivered by a recognised art society or botanical art school
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

GUIDELINES: How to choose a course; how to assess your options
​

What will you learn?

In choosing a course, prospective students should:
  • review the quantity and quality of the information about the course available prior to payment of any fee
  • identify what skills are required before you start
  • aim to identify and assess what knowledge, skills and competences will be taught.
  • I recommend that you ask questions and compare answers e.g. What are the taught modules?  How are skills and competence assessed?​
How is the course structured

It's usual for a Certificate course to precede the Diploma level courses if both are offered.

A number of Certificate and Diploma Courses typically (but not always) adopt a modular approach which involves:
  • specification of required modules for all students
  • completion of a specified number of additional elective modules according to the student's interest
  • the completion of 'pre-registration' modules for those who are required to achieve a certain level of knowledge and skill prior to attempting a more advanced module.

Where both a Certificate and Diploma Course is offered, there should be
  • clear statements as to how these differ and inter-relate - and
  • what the target knowledge and skill outcomes are for students following each type of course.
Will the method of course delivery suit you?

Courses offered taught
  • either face to face in a classroom
  • or distance learning using post
  • or distance learning using online facilities.
Each have their pros and cons - you need to work out which one suits you best.

You also need to:
  • Check what support materials are also available in terms of books, manuals, videos etc
  • Think about the learning environment (e.g. at home or in a garden environment) and what that has to offer, whether this will suit you (eg convenience vs. additional expenses of travel etc)
How good is the course? 

Diploma Courses are often not cheap and students need to be satisfied that they are both worthwhile and represent good value for money. 

I RECOMMEND prospective students:
  • Make the most of opportunities to meet tutors and learn about the courses e.g. Diploma Courses in the UK often have trade stands at the RHS Botanical Art Show
  • Check the quality of the artwork produced in the past by the tutors before signing up for a course. While an artist who produces good artwork does not always make a good tutor, any teacher must be able to demonstrate  knowledge and skills in order to be able to teach them! (That's not always the same as being able to demonstrate in a classroom; health issues can lead to difficulties in painting - but not difficulties in teaching)
  • Listen out for recommendations and/or comments . Do what you'd normally do when making an investment in something new. Ask current or recent students for comments about the quality of the current tuition. ​
Prospective students should note in particular

Most courses:
  • do NOT undergo any formal assessment or external validation/accreditation of the course by an independent learning institution (unless otherwise stated). This means the level and quality of delivery in one place may not be identical to that in another. 
  • vary in the length of time required and fees required - some are very expensive.
  • vary in their content and standards. Look for defined teaching objectives and outputs in terms of knowledge, skills and competences the student will acquire.
  • vary in the quantity and quality of support materials - from handouts. through manuals, books and videos
  • depend for the most part on the quality of the tutors teaching the course - and teaching ability and skills of tutors can vary.  This is why I list who these are where this is stated publicly. Some are professionally qualified teachers, most are not (although qualification is not always a good indication of ability).  See also recommendations below.
Links to more information 
​about the courses are in their titles. ​

Botanical Art Diploma & Certificate Courses in the UK

Society of Botanical Artists - Distance Learning Diploma Course

The Society of Botanical Artists was the first to offer a distance learning Diploma taught by members of the Society. The First Director was Margaret Evans who wrote three of the books now used by the Course and co-authored a fourth. 
SBA Diploma Course
Work by the Final Year Diploma students is exhibited every year at the Annual Exhibition of the Society of Botanical Artists
The SBA Distance Learning Diploma Course
This is unique endeavour among art societies - a distance learning course designed to raise the standards of botanical art which is taught by members of the Society. 

Features of the SBA DLDC:
  • attracts students from all over the world due to its delivery via distance learning.  Current students come from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Brazil, Canada and the USA as well as Europe and the UK
  • designed for those with familiarity with watercolour painting.
  • lasts  27 months 
  • requires students to complete 12 assignments plus a Diploma Portfolio of three artworks and an essay
  • Course grade is based on continuous assessment of all 12 assignments, Diploma Portfolio and essay (introduced 2016)
  • Course 14 commences on the 1st January 2017.  
  • Course 15: Deadline for application forms and receipt of portfolios by Course Director: 31 October 2017
DOWNLOAD the Distance Learning Diploma Course 14 Information Sheet (pdf) which details the prospectus, list of assignments, details about starting dates of Courses, application form, fees and payment arrangements. 

REVIEW the Compendium Page on this website of links to past students' blog posts about their SBA Diploma Assigments. Please note that requirements and assignments have changed over time.

In addition, the SBA have developed a suite of books to accompany their courses and aid the development of expertise of students of botanical art. These books can be bought by anybody.

VIEW the books developed for the SBA Diploma Course. These were landmark publications when first published. There were no other publications specifically written as support for a taught course.
SBA Diploma Course
The SBA Distance Learning Diploma Course at the RHS Botanical Art Show in February 2015. (Left to right: Gael Selwood Vice President, Sandra Armitage, President and Simon Williams, Director of the Diploma Course)
Picture
"The Botanical Palette" SBA Annual Exhibition (2008) - celebrating the publication of the SBA's book of the same name. On the left is the image by Ann Swan used for the front cover of her book about using coloured pencils for the creation of botanical art.
The Art of Botanical Painting
by Margaret Stevens

​This is the basic text for the SBA's Distance Learning Diploma Course.
It was written by Margaret Stevens, an ex-President of the SBA and includes images by members of the society - many of whom are practising professional botanical artists
​This is an excellent book to get if you are contemplating applying for the Diploma Course as it gives you a very good idea of what is required.

See my Book Review: The Art of Botanical Painting
Not for beginners! This book is not aimed at those learning how to draw and paint. There is no attempt to explain or teach basic techniques relating to generic drawing and painting.
Katherine Tyrrell - Book Review: The Art of Botanical Painting (see above)
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Collins in UK / Smithsonian in USA
Publication date: 1 Nov. 2004

Average Customer Rating out of 5 stars:
  • in UK: 4.5 (based on 20 customer reviews) (and much higher if you discount one individual who obviously wanted a very basic 'step by step' how to book!)
  • in USA: 4.3 based on 28 customer reviews​​

Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh - Diploma and Certificate in Botanical Illustration

Picture
Jacqui Pestell on the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh stand display about the Diploma and Certificate Courses in Botanical Illustration
The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is a a world-renowned centre for horticultural and botanical training and research.
​Its reputation in relation to training botanical illustrators is growing year by year.
  • The Course Director is Jacqui Pestell MBE BA (Hons). She is a qualified educator in art who was awarded an MBE for the development of botanical art in Scotland.
  • Click the links embedded in titles for more information on the RGBE website.
  • SPECIAL NOTE: RBGE Tutors Sharon Tingey and Işık Güner have won RHS Gold Medals for their botanical art
Picture
RBGE 2017-19 Attended Diploma Course - Applicants' Handbook Cover
RBGE Diploma in Botanical Illustration
This is a prestigious two year course accredited by the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. You have the option of studying for the Diploma Course
RBGE Certificate in Botanical Illustration
The Certificate is taught by experienced and enthusiastic tutors. It comprises eight full-day taught units with assessment built into the programme within a standard framework. This is delivered as:
  • either a block course over 2 weeks
  • or as a one-year part-time course with the individual units taking place on Saturdays or Sundays from September 2016 - June 2017
The RGBE Distance Learning Courses are unique in making use of PropaGate, the RBGE’s virtual learning environment and online tutorials via Skype for those following the Online option.

This is a video about the course and the PropaGate software used to deliver distance learning.

The Chelsea School of Botanical Art - Diploma in Botanical Illustration and Painting

The Chelsea School of Botanical Art is based at the Chelsea Physic Garden. The Principal of the School (founded in 2014)  is Helen Allen BA, PGCEd, Dip EGS, FLS who was the Course Director at for the Diploma Courses offered by the English Gardening School for 8 years.
The Chelsea School of Botanical Art began offering a NEW Diploma Course in 2014.  

Chelsea School of Botanical Art Diploma Course in Botanical Illustration and Painting
​
The course is taught on a Monday each week.
  • Year 1 of the Diploma comprises 3 Terms of approximately 10 weeks each, for a total of 30 weeks.
  • Year 2 of the Diploma is devoted to Private Study. 
  • Tuition is provided by Elaine Searle (Course Director) Helen Allen (owner) and a group of practicing artists and botanists. 
  • Past botanical art tutors have included: Lucy T Smith, Rosie Sanders, Julia Trickey, Sarah Gould, Sally Pond and Penny Price. Anna Haigh teaches botany,

Alumni
The School also has an Alumni group called Amicus Botanicus who exhibit together. ​The next exhibition as a group will be held in 2017. 
Applications are now being accepted for the 2018 Diploma Course in Botanical Illustration and Painting beginning 8 January 2018.

​Information sessions for the 2019 Diploma Course (beginning January 2019) will be held during the spring, summer and autumn terms 0f 2018.
​
This blog post is is a review of the course and an interview with Helen Allen, Director of the Chelsea School of Botanical Art
Chelsea School of Botanical Art
Elaine Searle, Helen Allen and Mary Ellen Taylor of the Chelsea School of Botanical Art - Exhibiting at the RHS Botanical Art Show (February 2016)
NOTE: This replaces the Diploma Course in Botanical Painting founded by Anne-Marie Evans and previously offered by the English Gardening School (which closed in 2012). ​

Royal Botanic Garden Kew - Kew Certificate in Botanical Illustration

Kew has a tendency to behave as if all education which takes place at the Gardens relates to Botany or Horticulture!
​This may be about to change... 
  • The School of Botanical Illustration is very new (and does not have a webpage)
  • The NEW Certificate Course comprises course modules taught by professional botanical illustrators and self-study coursework.  The programme aims to the provide a deep and comprehensive knowledge of all aspects needed for botanical illustration, botanical art and sketching and observing nature closely while benefiting from the unique and historic surroundings and collections at Kew. 
2018/19 programme begins September 2018

Kew Certificate in Botanical Illustration - September 2018 to 29 July 2019 -  a new annual programme of study. 
  • see (below) the new Kew Book of Botanical Illustration published Summer 2015
  • Contact Kew for details of the programme and full prospectus (except the course page has disappeared again - and the prospectus is not available online as it is for other courses!)
The Kew Book of Botanical Illustration Hardcover 
by Christabel King (Author)

​This is the very first book of instruction about botanical illustration ever produced by the publishing arm of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.

​Christobel King is a (recently retired) professional botanical illustrator who was Kew's chief botanical artist for very many years. She has produced scientific botanical illustrations for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew for c.40 years.  This is a book which a lot of people have been waiting for a long time.
The book covers a wide range of topics relevant to the subject e.g.
  • the nature of scientific botanical illustration
  • technical skills: using magnification and dividers
  • botanical skills: how to preserve specimens of plant material
  • illustration skills: developing illustrations from pressed plants
  • how to paint for Curtis's Botanical Magazine
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Search Press  Ltd (UK)
Publication date (UK): 26 July 2015 (USA) September 2015

Average Customer Rating out of 5 stars:
  • in UK: 4.6 based on 26 customer reviews
  • in USA: 4.7 based on 23 customer reviews​

BUY THIS BOOK​​
London Art College

Botanical Painting Online Course
  • ​Venue: Online
  • Dates: The expected duration of this course is approximately 1 year although the college allows students up to two years to complete their studies.
  • Content: websites provides summary details of areas covered and skills developed and also provides a sample of course material
  • Critiques: Online or by post
  • Tutors: Jarnie Godwin &  Shevaun Doherty

Botanical Art Schools and Courses in the USA
​

The list below is organised alphabetically by state name.
CALIFORNIA

Filoli
​
Filoli Botanical Art Certificate Program (PDF brochure)
​This program is for the serious student who wishes to develop knowledge and skills in botanical art. The curriculum includes the systematic study of artistic skills and concepts, basic botany and botanical art history.
A certificate is dependent upon:
  • successful completion of coursework (180 classroom hours plus homework)
  • presentation of a portfolio and final project. 
COLORADO 

School of Botanical Art and Illustration at Denver Botanic Gardens
The School offers both Certificate and Diploma courses as well as other short courses.

You can find out about the School and the courses it offers on this Botanical Illustration Information page. The current classes and courses programme can be downloaded.

They do no not have specific and unique pages accessible by mobile devices for the:
  • Foundational Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration 
  • Diploma in Botanical Art and Illustration - open only to those who have completed a Cerificate level course at Denver or equivalent institutions. This is the pdf file for the Application for Diploma in Botanical Illustration

SPECIAL NOTE: SBAI Faculty members recently won an RHS Gold Medal (2017) for their botanical art and illustration
- see my blog post 
Interview with Denver Botanic Garden SBAI - RHS Botanical Art Gold Medallist 2017
Social media:
MASSACHUSETTS

Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens
​website: http://www.wellesley.edu/wcbg/wcbg_friends
Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration (CBA) - curriculum covers botanical art media and techniques and fosters a working knowledge of plant anatomy and development (Note: Enrollment in the CBA program does not imply recognition by or admission to Wellesley College)
MINNESOTA 

The Minnesota School of Botanical Art
​Website: http://www.minnesotaschoolofbotanicalart.com 
Three levels of Certificate Course are offered
  • Primary Certificate - a student will complete 14 required courses, four elective courses, compiled a notebook of class materials, and developed a portfolio of work that is up to an intermediate level.
  • Advanced Certificate - Students who have achieved the Primary Certificate are eligible to apply for the Advanced Certificate.
  • Master Class Certificate - Students who have completed the Minnesota School of Botanical Art’s Primary and Advanced Certificate programs are eligible to apply for this certificate. 
NEW YORK 

New York Botanical Garden
​website: http://www.nybg.org
The NYBG was the first Botanical Garden in North America to offer a formal Botanical Art Certificate Program. It has now delivered Certificate level adult education for over three decades.  It comprises core classes and electives plus a final project
Cornell University Department of Horticulture
​website: http://hort.cals.cornell.edu/extension-outreach/distance-learning
Cornell University offers a "Minor in Horticulture with a Focus in the Botanical Arts". Any undergraduate student can enrol in the Minor (except those studying plant sciences).

The Continuing Education Department offers a distance learning Botanical Illustration Certificate of Completion if a student completes:
OHIO

Chicago Botanic Garden
Joseph Regenstein Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden
PENNSYLYVANIA

Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Garden
​website: https://phipps.conservatory.org
WASHINGTON

University of Washington
University of Washington: Professional and Continuing Education

    Suggest a Diploma or Certificate Course anywhere in the world