Botanical Illustration

Instructor Katie Wadley will guide students step by step through observing and drawing a fresh botanical specimen, focusing on its shapes, details, and unique structure. Using pencil on 6 × 8″ watercolor paper, you’ll create a careful sketch, then bring it to life with vibrant watercolor washes and ink pen rendering. Students may also choose to finish their piece with calligraphic text of the plant’s scientific name.

Botanical illustration provides a new way to engage with your local environment, as well as a fresh perspective on how human beings thought about the natural world before the invention of photography.

Instructor will provide the following:

All materials for botanical illustrations, including: watercolor paper, watercolors, brushes, ink pens, pencils & erasers, botanical specimens, calligraphy pens, and stencils.

Students are asked to bring:

Optional: an apron and watercolors/brushes if you’d like to use your own.

Since your class runs over the lunch hour, you may want to consider bringing a lunch or snack. Click HERE to learn about local eating opportunities.

Skill Level 

Beginner – no prior knowledge or skills required to participate

Age Requirement 

Students ages 16 and older are welcome to attend this class. Students ages 16 and 17 may attend without a parent/guardian in attendance as long as MMFS is provided with written parental permission by email to info@marinemillsfolkschool.org.

Location Details

Marine Mills Folk School

550 Pine St.

Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047

Cost Details

Tuition: $50

Materials Fee: $10

Total Cost: $60

NOTE: Be aware we may cancel class if a minimum number of registrations is not reached. We work to balance teachers’ need to plan for a class with students’ busy schedules — not an easy task. Please register as early as possible! If interested, you can find our cancellation policy HERE.