RBGE Diploma in Botanical Illustration
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The RBGE Diploma in Botanical Illustration is one of our flagship botanical illustration courses. This independent, RBGE certified course hones the many skills you need to capture plants in pencil, pen and watercolour. It runs over two years part-time for the attended course or three years for the distance learning course.
This course is ideal for those who want to take botanical illustration to a professional level. Designed for those with a background or some experience in art, design or illustration, this three year RBGE diploma develops skills across a complete range of watercolour, pencil and pen.
The main focus is on observational drawing, pen-and-ink work and painting skills, but by the end of the course, students should develop expertise in a wide range of botanical illustration techniques.
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Study options
- ONLINE (2.5 years)Word version of course handbook
- ATTENDED (2 years)
(Note the attended version of this course is not being offered currently)
Frequently asked questions
- What does the course cover?
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The main focus is on observational drawing, pen-and-ink work and painting skills, but by the end of the course, students should develop expertise in a wide range of botanical illustration techniques.
Students will be trained in visual analysis, fundamentals of botany, the essentials of different plant structures and the ability to assess and produce botanically accurate drawing and painting work. The emphasis will be placed on the development of skills through a series of tight and precise exercises. Botanical painting will also be studied within its historical context.
- What are the study options?
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This course can be studied as an attended course or as an online course.
- What is the format of the course?
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Online Learning Course
The Online Learning Course takes place over two and a half years and follows a set time-table. Through PropaGate, RBGE’s virtual learning environment you will work through the same learning modules as the taught course.This course requires a significant amount of home study - approx. 18-20 hours per week.
Attended Course
In the first year students will attend classes at the Garden one day per week. Year two is a home study year in which students are expected to produce a complete portfolio of work to an approved standard. - What do I need?
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Basic details of the materials required for the course can be found in the Applicants’ Handbook. A more detailed list will be provided on acceptance to the course.
- Do I need any prior knowledge?
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Although there is no formal level of qualification necessary for entry to this course, there is a need to demonstrate a high level of motivation, together with evidence of personal commitment to botanical illustration. It is expected that all artists who join this course will embark on a steep learning curve.
Students aiming to join the Diploma course will be required to demonstrate a pre-existing level of skill in drawing and painting, ideally with a botanical or plant in subject matter. There is considerable competition for places and initial selection will be through portfolio assessment (8 - 10 pieces) and your written application form. You can find out more about what should be in your portfolio and how to create one here.
Please note that this course is not designed for beginners. Artists at beginner’s level would gain most benefit from the RBGE Certificate in Botanical Illustration course. The certificate course has been created as an ideal stepping-stone to the Diploma and offers an introduction to the basics skills of drawing and painting needed to record plants and produce a portfolio of work. We also offer a series of Botanical Illustration Short Courses.
- How much time would I need to dedicate to this course?
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This course requires a significant amount of home study - approx. 18-20 hours per week.
- What support is available for online students?
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Both courses are supported by a series of tutorials. For online students, these will typically make use of virtual video tutorials. Online students also have the opportunity to make the use of the forums on the course. These provide a way for students to talk to one another and to tutors in order to ask questions. Technical help is also only an email away or available via the forums on the course.
- What does the course cost?
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Attended course: Fees for the next attended course will be confirmed when the course details are released.
Online course: The current course fee is: £4,500.
All course fees are payable on acceptance to the course and must be paid prior to the course beginning. Fees are subject to change on future courses. Additional costs to be borne by students are listed in the Handbook.
- When can I start?
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Attended course: We do not have a date for the next attended course running. If you would like to receive details of the next course when they become available, please complete the enquiry form.
Online course: The next online course is due to start in 2025. If you would like to receive details of the next course when they become available, please complete the enquiry form.
- How do I apply?
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Attended course:
We do not have a date for the next attended course running. If you would like to receive details of the next course when they become available, please complete the enquiry form.
Online course:
Our online diploma has just started and we don't have dates confirmed for the next one yet. If you would like to receive details of the next course when they become available, please complete the enquiry form.