Members of the Scottish Society of Botanical Artists during one of their painting days

“We are delighted to have been awarded this year's botanical art prize. It will enable the SSBA to grow by introducing beginners and other artists in the north and south of Scotland to the joy in capturing the beauty of plants in the fine detail of botanical art, and hopefully inspire them to continue learning." Anne Carlaw, Chair of the SSBA

SSBA Saughton Park Sketching Day

The Finnis Scott Botanical Art Prize 2022
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WHAT THE JUDGES THOUGHT! ​ The judges thought that the entries were of a very high standard. However, they particularly liked the SSBA’s plan to  give groups or individuals the opportunity to learn, or develop their botanical art skills, by running a number of free of charge, face-to-face courses in Inverness (the Highlands to the north) and Dumfries (the Southern Uplands) which will be open to artists with some botanical painting experience as well as individuals are who are interested in learning. In other words, a project which tackles the deficit in tuition outside the Central Lowlands 'Belt' where all the major cities lie and most of the population live.

“We are delighted to award the biennial Finnis Scott Botanical Art Prize to the Society of Scottish Botanical Artists, to help in their work enabling Scots outside the central belt to participate in the creation of botanical artworks, with all the benefits that come with that.

​The Society won the prize against very stiff competition from other groups in the United Kingdom. We wish the SSBA good fortune in their endeavours."
Ursula Buchan, Chair of the Finnis Scott Foundation

About the Finnis Scott Foundation
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 “The Prize is unique in that it offers the opportunity for dedicated botanical art societies and similar groups to apply for funding to develop projects they wouldn’t otherwise be able to carry out. The botanical artist often works alone, so the opportunity to work in collaboration as part of a group can be incredibly inspiring.”
​​Sandra Wall-Armitage (one of the Judges)

a NEW PAGE about e-books, e-booklets and digital guide providing instruction in botanical art and illustration

e-Booklets and downloadable digital Guides
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Have you produced an eBook or digital Guide?
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The Education Page

This section covers tuition and learning opportunities around the world and online ​for those who prefer to "go it alone".

Two of the pages for self-directed learning

This section is for those who want to access formal / structured learning opportunities by:
* travelling to classes, courses and workshops where they live, in their own country or around the world
* OR access formal tuition either online - for those who can use digital technology - or via correspondence.

Two of the pages relating to more formal instruction opportunities - online and around the world

The Best Instruction Books
about Botanical Art and Illustration 

Some of my botanical art instruction books

Our digitally connected world is profoundly image led yet the practice of botanical image making, and types of image commissioned is little changed in several hundred years. Laurence Hill uses examples from the Fritillaria Icones Project, to look at structuring images for online use and wider uses within botanical science and science communication.

More about botanical photography
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More about Laurence Hill
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In simple terms I photograph plants and share them with others but by applying a set of carefully considered rules these photographs have a value which goes beyond this unassuming act. For more than a decade I have used digital technologies to explore new ways of recording and presenting botanical science and I am particularly interested in how a systematic photographic approach can produce new insights. Similarly how digital image ‘sets’ as voucher specimens will enhance and extend the value of research. We need to consider how we present, link and verify digital data and the Fritillaria Icones website is my contribution to this emerging field. 

Laurence Hill with his intensely botanical and extremely well presented exhibit of Fritillaria affinis and a discussion and demonstration of plant variability relative to the agreed taxonomic description of one species of a wild plant

Introduction to the Distance Learning Page

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.
(Introduction)

From the new website page about Distance Learning Courses for Botanical art - by post and email

A still frame from the ABBA video "Three B's Episode 2 - Complex Flowers"

Episode 1: Simple Flowers

There is something more important than knowing what parts of the plant are called and that is what does it really look like. This requires detailed anatomical observation. Where possible, it is really useful to see the plant growing in the wild. Get to know the habitat, location with respect to other plants and if it is the same species, how the form can change depending on where it grows.

Episode 2: Complex Flowers

Understanding how the flower is put together is the first step in producing a great piece of artwork that is botanically accurate.