Enjoy two days of botanical painting in Dukes of West Barnes dedicated studio space, and relax in their café and gardens.
Marianne will coach you in drawing & painting. Begin the observation process looking at structure, colour and texture, with drawing and preparatory paint work on day one, and painting on day two.
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 August 2026
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Dukes of West Barns, 5 Duke St, Dunbar, EH42 1UR
Materials are included to use in the class, you may bring your own if you wish.
Marianne will talk (briefly) about the history of botanical illustration, give you some insights into her artistic journey and practice, and take you through some basic steps to get started with your own botanical art piece, with watercolours and equipment provided.
She 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. You will colour-match to your specimens, working with watercolour to match shades and tones, and then you will begin to paint.
Each day’s activities will be accompanied by examples of Marianne’s botanical artworks.
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.
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Workshop booking form
Draw on day one, paint on day two
On day two, I will show you how to colour-match to your specimen, 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.
Accurate botanical illustration is a slow, careful and meditative process, so expect to take your painting home to finish.
