Distance Learning is method of studying without the student needing to attend a school or college.

Lessons are normally conducted via correspondence. 
Dialogue with the student is normally written communication in terms of guidelines/assignments provided
Artwork is normally submitted by post or email with feedback via post or email
​Face to face contact is typically either limited or non-existent.

 WHAT is
Botanical Art Instruction via Distance Learning?
​

Distance Learning Botanical Art Instruction Courses
​via post provide:
  • Structured modular courses which may take a year or more to complete
  • Written instructions on paper (often also available as a PDF download) - which you get to keep!
  • a (distant) one to one relationship with a tutor who should provide advice and guidance tailored to you
  • a framework and timeline (and sometimes a timetable) for the completion of modules and associated assignments
  • Feedback and constructive criticism on completed assignments from an experienced botanical artist who may also be an experienced teacher (but this is not always the case)
  • Certificates or Diplomas for completing the course - but these are not accredited and have no standing in an academic world
There may also be limited streaming of videos of lectures or demonstrations for people with access to computers - but typically this is less than for online courses as the courses must work for those without computers.
What this page covers
  • Responses to Frequently Asked Questions about Distance Learning Courses 
    • Can I learn about how to produce botanical art without a computer?
    • What are the main benefits of distance learning courses?
    • What's expected of me / what do I need to do to complete the course?
  • Listing of providers of distance learning courses (long and structured NOT short courses)
    • ​note re. accreditations
    • organisations
    • individuals

Can I learn without a computer?
​

Emphatically YES! 

Distance learning courses on this page ALL started as correspondence courses via post and many are still rooted in the approach in terms of what they deliver and what they need from you.

​However you have the option to use email if you want to.
​IF YOU WANT TO UPLOAD/DOWNLOAD FILES YOU NEED:
  • a decent Internet connection and
  • an ability to create, process and upload digital image files
  • basic computer skills (eg email) to use email to:
    • send completed assignments
    • receive your next assignment

BENEFITS of Distance Learning

Distance Learning particularly suits students who:

PREFER TO LEARN in a way which copes with their constraints
e.g. they:
  • cannot easily get to locations where face to face classes are provided
  • do not have a computer and/or feel technologically challenged
  • need to be able to access instruction at times that suit them rather than at times that suit the tutor
  • do not have a bottomless budget and prefer to spend their budget on instruction rather than travel and accommodation
  • must care for dependent relatives and cannot easily be or learn away from home

PREFER TO MANAGE THEIR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Distance Learning suits those who prefer to:
  • study on the day and at the time which best suits you 
  • work on their own - without the distraction of other students
  • work at their own pace and repeat exercises until they get it right

REQUIREMENTS
​

TO COMPLETE A DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE 
​you need:
  • self-motivation and dedication - to tackle the challenges and complete the course
  • self discipline - to do the work 
  • attention to detail - to read carefully and do precisely what is asked of you
  • good organisational skills in planning and timetabling  and pacing your work so as to meet any specified deadlines while not feeling bored or overloaded
  • Adequate time available to complete study modules within the time allowed
  • capacity to learn without much human contact - except by written word. It can sometimes feel very lonely  if you're on your own (some courses also have students groups which meet online, but these are not available to those working via post)
  • patience while waiting for feedback - which often is not immediate
  • ability to build on constructive feedback - and correct your mistakes and plug the gaps in your learning to date
  • a working understanding of English as most instruction is provided in English
  • good basic skills in how to use watercolour i.e. this is NOT a "how to learn to paint" course
For those who prefer to learn at home

​Distance Learning works well when blended
with relevant instruction books - see ​
​The Best Botanical Art & Illustration Instruction Books

PROVIDERS OF DISTANCE LEARNING INSTRUCTION
​IN BOTANICAL ART & ILLUSTRATION
​

The current list of botanical art instruction includes the following. (SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE for more details)
​
COURSES DELIVERED BY ORGANISATIONS
  • Society of Botanical Artists - Distance Learning Diploma Course
  • London Art College Diploma Course
COURSES DELIVERED BY INDIVIDUALS
  • Leonie Norton
If you are delivering a distance learning course which is not listed please contact me with details using the form at the bottom of the page
IMPORTANT NOTE re. Accreditations
Distance Learning Diplomas listed on this page are NOT independently validated to a specific and standardised LEVEL of knowledge and competence within a Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).  Consequently, courses vary in both content, quality and length. Diplomas based in the UK are not included in the Register of Regulated Qualifications. See Diplomas and Certificates for more details. 

However in terms of quality of provision of a learning course, it is possible for courses to meet ISO 9001:2015 - the BSI accreditation standard for an organisation's quality management system which can cover the delivery of distance learning art courses.
​
  1. To issue only certificates or diplomas that fairly represent the instruction given and not to make any statement or to imply that any such certificates or diplomas are equivalent to a degree or to a certificate awarded by a recognised examining body.
  2. Point 7 of the Code of Ethics of the Association of Distance Learning Colleges

Distance Learning Diploma Courses run by ORGANISATIONS
​

Distance Learning using paper-based instruction 
- with some online communication
​

These are courses which ALL started out as post and paper-based distance learning programmes of study.
They have progressed to introduce elements of online interaction
​- but these are typically not at the same level as the Online Botanical Art Courses.

Society of Botanical Artists - Distance Learning Diploma Course (DLDC)
​

For many years, the Society has been aware of the need for a ‘correspondence course’, where students learn by working and practising on their own on set assignments, then have the work assessed by experienced Tutors. 
FEATURES of the SBA Distance Learning Diploma Course (DLDC)
  • the first Distance Learning Diploma Course (DLDC) for botanical art - for those with good basic skills in drawing and familiarity with watercolour painting (i.e. this is NOT a Foundation Course for those in need of basic skills). See detailed provision of information on Diplomas and Certificates page
  • designed and developed by the Society of Botanical Artists (in the UK) for those wanting to learn about botanical painting
  • complemented by books developed to support the course - see The Best Instruction Books by Botanical Art Societies
  • taught by experienced members of the Society. 
  • Course lasts 27 months
  • Requires students to complete 11 assignments on a regular basis plus deliver a Diploma Portfolio of three artworks and an essay 
  • A sample portfolio of your work is required with your application
  • 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 ​
  • Graduation held in London. See a photo of the Graduation Ceremony in 2017. To date there have been more than 600 graduates of the DLDC.​
There have been two Directors of the DLDC:
  • Margaret Stevens GM PPSBA was the first Director. She is a Past President of the SBA and designed the course and wrote three of the books now used by the Course, co-authored a fourth and followed up with a fifth 
  • The Current DLDC Director is Simon Williams GM SBA

WEBSITE: Distance Learning Diploma Course

You can SEE THE RESULTS at the SBA Annual Exhibition  which displays coursework by final year diploma students.

SBA DLDC - Course 18
  • Commences on the 1st January 2021.  (27 months from January 2020 to May 2023​)
  • Deadline for application forms and receipt of portfolios by Course Director: 30 September 2020
  • DOWNLOAD the Distance Learning Diploma Course 18 Information Sheet (pdf) which details the prospectus, starting dates of Courses, application form, fees and payment arrangements.  PLUS the outline list of assignments and deadline dates for submission (Includes contact emails for queries)

FEES (Course 18) are listed below. These vary because of different postal and courier rates.
  • £3,490 - Live in UK
  • £3,545 - Live in the European Union
  • £3,690 - Live in the rest of the world
  • course fees can be paid in instalments by arrangement
These include student subscription to the Society for the duration of the DLDC plus one year's membership after graduation. 

TEACHERS: Taught by experienced members of the Society of Botanical Artists - from different backgrounds.  The SBA do not provide details of the DLDC Tutors on the website or in the Prospectus for the Course - hence prospective students have no knowledge of who the tutors will be.

Assessment: Course grade is based on modular assessment (10 marks per assignment)  with total marks converting to a final Diploma grade (Distinction = 90-100%)
​11 Assignments for Course 18 - which have deadlines for the submission of assignments i.e. this is NOT a "go at your own pace" course. The summary for each details the skills which will be taught.
  • Drawing (by Feb 2021) 
  • Monochrome (by April 2021)
  • Mixing Greens And Painting Leaves (by end June 2021)
  • Flowerheads (by end August 2021)
  • Flower Study (by mid October 2021)
  • Fruit, Vegetable or Spice Study (by mid December 2021)
  • Botany (by mid February 2022)
  • Botanical Illustration (by April 2022)
  • Working In The Field (by end June 2022)
  • Working From Photographs (by end August 2022)
  • Mixed Flower Composition (by end October 2022)
PLUS Diploma Portfolio: A Four-Part Submission (due early March 2023)
  • Part 1: A True Botanical Illustration 
  • Part 2: A Mixed Study
  • Part 3: A Study Of Fruit Or Vegetables 
  • Part 4: Essay (2,500 words + 3 images min.)

​REVIEW my Compendium Page on this website of links to past students' blog posts about their SBA Diploma Assignments and tips about how to approach the course Please note that requirements and assignments have changed over time.

COURSE BOOKS:  
VIEW/BUY the books developed for the SBA Diploma Course. 
The SBA have developed a suite of books to accompany their courses and aid the development of expertise of students of botanical art. These were landmark publications when first published. There were no other publications specifically written as support for a taught course. These books can also be bought by anybody. - and it's well worthwhile taking a look if thinking about applying for the course
READ MY REVIEWS of:

London Art College
​

The London Art College is a vocational rather than an academic college which has been providing "distance learning" home study for those wanting to learn about art for many years. Otherwise known as correspondence courses. 
  • The London Art College is a long standing member of the Association of British Correspondence Colleges and had agreed to agree to abide by their Code of Ethics.
  • It also holds full accreditation from BSI for the provision of distance learning courses art courses
  • Its approach and systems have been paper-based and mail oriented for very many years. 
  • Latterly it has made a marginal adjustment so that a moderate amount of communication can take place online via uploading of digital images and getting feedback via email. However there isn't enough online content for these courses to be listed under the Online Botanical Art Courses.
Website:
Course Outline
Headline summary of content only for both courses on the website. Note that testimonials and feedback about the course very clearly relate to past tutors (as well as present).

​Level
This is a basic course pitching at around Certificate level for beginners and improvers. The courses are typically used by students as a basic grounding for going on to more intensive study.

The course is suitable for those living outside the UK as there is no requirement to attend the college. Assignments and critiques can either be dealt with electronically or by airmail
Course delivery
  • complete course sent in hard copy form after enrolment
  • courses are broken down into progressive study units
  • periodic assignments; 
  • ​Critiques and feedback tends to be mail oriented rather than online.
  • no face to face sessions
  • ​no videos
  • two years to complete a course but how long it takes varies according to how much time you have available.
​
FEES: £360​​​
Course Content
Botanical Painting
Media Used
  • Watercolour
  • Pen & ink​​
Subject: areas covered
  • Perspective
  • Keeping a sketchbook
  • History
  • Basic botany
  • Design
  • Colour
  • Reference material​
Techniques: Skills developed
  • Measuring
  • Drawing - line & tonal
  • Using watercolours
  • Watercolour techniques
  • Tones & shadows
  • Colour mixing
  • Pen & ink
Website: ​​Botanical Painting Online Course ​
​
Course Tutor - Botanical Painting
​Polly O'Leary is the tutor of the botanical painting as from 2019 

​(She took over from Jarnie Godwin, who took over from Shevaun Doherty who followed on from Gaynor Dickson who followed Sandrine Maugy)
Botanical ​Coloured Pencils ​
Media Used
  • Coloured Pencils
​​Subject: areas covered
  • Perspective
  • Keeping a sketchbook
  • History
  • Basic botany
  • Design
  • Colour
  • Reference material
Techniques: Skills developed
  • Measuring
  • Line drawing
  • Tonal drawing
  • Using coloured pencils
  • Coloured pencil techniques
  • Optical colour mixing
  • Pen & ink
Website: Botanical Coloured Pencil Online Course​

Course Tutor - Botanical ​Coloured Pencils - Ida Mitrani

Distance Learning Courses run by INDIVIDUALS
​

This category is reserved for those EXPERIENCED teachers of botanical art and illustration who
  • develop a LONG and WELL STRUCTURED course of instruction in botanical art and illustration
  • ​develop a formal prospectus (documentation) - which includes a Statement of Learning Outcomes
  • deliver the course via distance learning (ie either via post or email). 
  • ​are explicit about all fees and terms and conditions

If you provide such a course and would like your course listed her please note the criteria above and use the form at the bottom of the page to submit details of your course. Be sure to include the URL and make sure I can find the prospectus on your website
Picture
Dryandra formosa by Leonie Norton
Leonie Norton - Distance Learning by post or online
Do I receive any qualifications?
The only formal recognised qualifications in botanical art are those acquired at university within a Natural History degree.  You will receive a Certificate of Botanical Merit on completion of this course.
Leonie Norton ​is based in Australia. She has been a teacher of botanical art for a long time.  

WEBSITE:  Distance Learning Course
  • operating successfully for over seventeen years
  • one-on-one tuition
  • detailed critique with suggestions and advice for each assignment. ​
  • EITHER by Post - i.e. you do NOT need a computer. 
  • OR Online: scan your assignments / email them for a detailed critique and critique will be emailed to you.

FEES: ​AUD$395 (both post and online)

TERMS & CONDITIONS: 
  • 12 month course completion period, but no specific deadlines on individual assignments.
  • No refunds issued after enrolment.

TEACHER: Professional international botanical artist, educator and author. Leonie is very experienced in teaching via distance learning - and has been doing so for the last 17 years.
  • BA VisArt - a degree in Visual Arts
  • BFA (Hons) Scientific Plant Illustration - a degree in scientific plant illustration
  • Grad.Dip.VET (Adult Education) - a qualification in delivering adult education
She is also the author of best selling book ‘Women of Flowers”: Botanical Art in Australia from 1830s to 1960s Canberra: National Library of Australia, 2009. Quarto, paperback, colour illustrations.
Picture
Leonie Norton painting
Distance Learning Course Outline: ​Her course is modular:
  • Statement of planned Learning Outcomes
  • seven modules in all, divided into Drawing and Watercolour components.
  • Each module contains:
    • an average of fifteen pages of comprehensive information and course notes and assignments,
    • step by step demonstrations and examples to follow.
  • Each module follows a logical sequence and builds on the knowledge gained in the previous modules.
  • Pages of modular instruction can be put together at the completion of the course to form a permanent reference book ‘The Art of Botanical Drawing and Painting’.
  • Certificate of Botanical Merit on completion of this course.

Is your Distance Learning Course not listed?
​

This page is NEW and aims to be comprehensive - but I need your help to ensure every long/well-structured Distance Learning Course (that is NOT a short course) is listed.

Please let me know using the form IF:
  • you know of a course which is not listed above (see below)
  • you spot a broken link 
  • the links or descriptions for your course needs changing - please indicate what needs changing on the form - and identify the relevant URLs if applicable, plus who you are and what your position is

If you want to see a course listed, please provide the following information via the FORM
  1. COUNTRY where organisation or individual is based
  2. NAME of business organisation or business name of individual
  3. TITLE of distance learning course
  4. TYPE OF TUITION (i.e. how is this organised and structured)
  5. PROSPECTUS: Is all relevant course information for a prospective student documented in a prospectus? If yes, please either provide a copy or indicate where I can download one)
  6. LENGTH OF COURSE: how many months?
  7. ACCREDITATIONS: with respect to content or delivery or quality management - if any
  8. NAME OF TEACHER(s) (+ URL of teacher's website and qualifications/experience of teaching)
  9. TARGET AUDIENCE (e.g. beginners / improvers / masterclass etc)
  10. PRICE of the distance learning course  in local currency
  11. URL for further information about course details (ESSENTIAL!)
  12. CONTACT: Official (business) email address for the course

    ​Suggest a Distance Learning Course anywhere in the world