Enjoy two days of botanical illustration amongst curated artworks, in the Glasshouses and Walled Garden at the Hugo Burge Foundation.
I’ll be in the fabulous glass houses at the Hugo Burge Foundation, in their gorgeous restored contemporary walled garden, come and join me!
Together we’ll pick some specimens from the garden and then draw and paint throughout the day, beginner to intermediate welcome.
Booking link will be here shortly (-_-) >>
The Hugo Burge Foundation
Lower Powerhouse Studio
Marchmont Estate
Duns, TD10 6YL
Thursday 9 & Friday 10 October 2025
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost including lunch TBC
Materials are included to use in the class, you can bring your own if you wish.
The Walled Garden at the Hugo Burge Foundation is filled with beautiful planting and a mixture of older and contemporary art. What better place to start, or develop your journey into botanical art? Learn to paint at the home of the late celebrated botanical artist Rory McEwen and art collector and supporter Hugo Burge, all maintained and being developed by the wonderful garden team led by Toby Loveday.
I will talk (briefly) about the history of botanical illustration, give you some insights into my artistic practice, and take you through some basic steps to get started with your own botanical art piece, with watercolour paints and equipment provided.
We will start with a brief introduction to botanical illustration in the glasshouse, and then take a stroll through the Walled Garden. There you can choose and pick your specimens. I will then show you how to make preparatory sketches, you will discover how to closely observe your specimens, to learn about their structure and botany, and how to transfer your refined sketches onto watercolour paper. We will colour-match to your specimens, working with watercolour to match shades and tones, and then you will begin to paint.
The day’s activities will be accompanied by examples of my botanical artworks.
Lunches will be served in the Glasshouse Kitchen & Dining Rooms.
We expect each day to last about six hours (incl lunch). Accurate botanical illustration is a slow, careful and meditative process, so expect to take your painting home to finish.
If you would like to attend but find cost to be a barrier for you, please contact emma@hugoburgefoundation.org to enquire about funded spots.
