Having spent the better part of the past 10 years either studying or working within the walls of the Chelsea Physic Garden . . I am delighted to report that classes in botanical painting and illustration will once again be offered at the Chelsea Physic Garden by the Chelsea School of Botanical Art.
From January 2014 the course offered by The Chelsea School of Botanical Art REPLACES the Diploma Course in Botanical Painting originally offered by the English Gardening School.
The NEW course will be led by respected artist and Principal of The Chelsea School of Botanical Art, Helen Allen BA, PGCEd, Dip EGS, FLS. Helen was Course Director at EGS for eight years, taking over from the formidable founder of this internationally renowned course in 1994, Anne-Marie Evans.
Having had Anne-Marie Evans as my course director in 2004 and working alongside Helen for the next 8 . . I have watched the course go from strength to strength under Helen’s careful eye, bringing it into the 21st century but always keeping a strong hold onto Anne Marie’s foundation of scientific and traditional depiction of plant life through art.
I am delighted to be working alongside Helen once again managing the two-year part-time diploma course and will have regular updates on what we are tackling: twigs and sprouting green as winter creeps into spring . . perspective using the daunting daffodil, botany lessons from our Kew botanists and illustrator and strawberries just in time for Wimbledon and summer hols.
The Chelsea School of Botanical Art
Chelsea Physic Garden
66 Royal Hospital Road
London SW3 4HS
07685862879
I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge . . but Irises ?? I have purposely avoided painting these beautiful and incredibly complex flowers since beginning botanical painting 10 years ago.
My instinct would have been to decline the commission but was thrilled to be asked and for a very discerning client for whom the iris is named! No pressure then . . .
All this would be intimidating enough without adding:
So . . . . where do to begin ?