Introduction to Botanical Illustration

Artspan Botanical Illustration
 
Botanical illustration is a marriage of art and science, and is characterized by accurate observation and highly realistic forms. With roots in the botanical drawings of early Greek botanists such as Pedanius Dioscorides, contemporary botanical art has remained faithful to many centuries-old traditions. Over the course of its history, it has also expanded upon convention through a diversification of media and a broader range of artistic sensibilities.

While the focus of botanical illustrations remain accuracy and documentation, contemporary botanical artists have forged new avenues of representation within the idiom. Communicating the physical attributes of a plant or flower remains central to any botanical illustration, but the modes of communication have evolved in order to cater to aesthetic ideals as well.

In this vein, botanical illustration can be understood as a variant of still-life that is defined by its artificial emphasis on and isolation of specific elements. Though the two styles are similar, botanical illustrations rely heavily on objectivity and directness, avoiding the atmospheric compositions and lighting that typify most still-lifes. Floral still-lifes, for example, are rarely considered to be botanical flower illustrations even though their subjects are the same. Botanical illustration distinguishes itself as a unique discipline through its accurate rendering and focused celebration of the exquisite forms found in nature.
Artspan Botanical Illustration Directory

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Botanical Illustration Calendarsee all events

Resources

Art Supplierssee all

PlantStudio Botanical Illustration Software is a tool for creating 3D plant models and 2D...
PO Box 1267 Galesburg, IL 61402-1267 Toll-free 800-828-4548 Fax 800-621.8293
5325 Departure Drive Raleigh, NC 27616 800.827.8478 919.878.6782
Kansas City, MO
The Trusted Resource since 1949... 6 Corporate Drive Cranbury, NJ 08512-3616 800.223.9132 6...

Associationssee all

Specializes in the history of botany and all aspects of plant science and serves the...
New York, NY
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness of botanical...
Gillingham, UK
Creates a focus for the continuation of the centuries-old tradition of...
Canada
A not-for-profit organization that supports members through workshops, courses and...
Various Regions in Southern Africa
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting public...
Australia
To reach national and international wildlife and botanical artists and to meet the...
Australia
A non-profit organization to foster and promote the development of botanical art...
Southern California
Dedicated to encouraging the development of botanical art and the...
Oldsmar, Florida
To be a vehicle for collective exhibitions, which aim to promote the...
Crystal Lake, Illinois
To focus attention on the lasting value of fine drawing, color,...

Bookssee all

This is simply the best and most complete course in botanical illustration ever produced, with...
Scientific Commentaries by Grard G. Aymonin Originally published in 1613 by botanist-apothecary...
This book is the first in-depth study of eighteenth-century botanical illustrations, and its...
This beautiful book surveys the evolution of botanical illustration from the crude scratchings of...
*Provides numerous tips and 19 demonstrations for all the most popular mediums, including...
Siriol Sherlock’s techniques for capturing flowers and plants are beautifully simple—yet they...
The authors of the bestselling Botanical Illustration Course with the Eden Project are back with...
The long tradition of botanical illustration has its tribute in this new book, whose publication...

Botanical Gardenssee all

Atlanta, Ga
The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant...
Brooklyn, Ny
Celebrate the Seasons, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of New York's most...
Buffalo, New York
This botanical gardens is the product of three extraordinary visionaries:...
Denver, Co
To connect people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and...
Phoenix, AZ
To advance excellence in education, research, exhibition, and conservation of...
Fort Worth, Tx
Mission: Enriching people's lives through environmental stewardship and...

Botanical Gardens - Cont.see all

Kennett Square,Pa
Longwood Gardens is dedicated to preserving the spirit and beauty of the...
St. Louis, Mo
Mission: To discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment, in...
Montreal, Canada
Ranked as one of the world's largest and most spectacular botanical gardens...
Niagara Falls, Canada
Beautifully maintained gardens, including perennials, rhododendrons,...

Educationsee all

Fort Collins, Co
MFA in Painting
Baltimore, Md
MFA in Painting
Providence, Ri
MFA in Painting
Philadelphia, Pa
MFA in Painting and Drawing
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
MFA in Studio Art with a Concentration in Painting
Austin, Tx
MFA in Drawing and Painting
Albany, Ny
MFA in Studio Art with a Specialization in Painting
Edmonton, Canada
MFA in Painting
North Dartmouth, Ma
MFA in Painting
Boston, Ma
MFA in Painting

Galleriessee all

Online only
Dedicated to exhibiting artworks with gardening, horticultural, floral, botanical,...
Madison, Wi
Houses the permanent and rotating exhibit of the American Botanical Artist...
London, England
Gallery profiles contemporary paintings and sculpture by established and...
Boston, Ma
Contemporary American and European art; modern master paintings and prints.
Boston, Ma
Gallery specializes in the works of abstractionists, pattern painters and...
Houston, Tx
A Fine-Art Gallery that was established in 2002 to promote the work of truly...
Boston, Ma
Boston's artist-run gallery. Contemporary art in all media by emerging and...
Boston, Ma
Featuring contemporary narrative, figurative, and abstract paintings by prominent...
Toronto, Canada
Established in 1978, encompasses all aspects of art collecting.
Ontario, Canada
a Canadian fine art gallery focuses on contemporary painting. Our Art...

Publicationssee all

Devoted to the realism in art and excellence in their medium, whether oil paint, watercolor,...
Contains reproductions, interviews, discussions of timely issues, practical lessons in craft, and...
The definitive international source of news and analysis of contemporary art and culture.
A vehicle for facilitating contact between artists and art enthusiasts.
Provides committed painters, with projects and exercises designed to improve painting technique,...
Each of the issues contains a description, in formal yet accessible language, and is renowned for...

Contemporary Botanical Art and Botanical Illustration