2026 - Spring Symposium - American Society of Botanical Artists

Home2026 - Spring Symposium

Overview

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Virtual Exhibition

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Sessions & Supply Lists

Back for 2026!

Mark your calendar now for the third annual expanded Spring Symposium March 25 – 28!

Repeating the popular expanded format virtual symposium, enjoy 3+ days of immersion in all things "botanical art" from the comfort of your own home. The event includes botanical art technique demonstrations by 18 world-class artists and instructors, presentations on botanical art by noted authorities, engaging lectures and demonstrations, and a virtual exhibition of attendees' artwork, all with no plane tickets, no hotel, no travel.

Flexible registration options will be available. Attend it all or whatever your schedule and budget allow. (But we think you'll want to do it ALL!) All sessions will be open to an unlimited number of attendees. Recordings of each session will be available for viewing by session registrants for 2 weeks after the close of the symposium.

This is your opportunity to see your favorite artists/instructors demonstrate their unique approach to botanical art. Detailed schedule and prices will be published here in late January.

Symposium Registration Open to Current (2026) ASBA Members Only

Not a member? Join now! Then return here to register for the Symposium when registration opens.

Registration Opens: noon (EDT) on February 14, 2026

Registration Closes: 11pm (EDT) on March 22, 2026

Base Registration Fee (non-refundable): $25

Includes eligibility to enter artwork in the non-juried virtual exhibition (entry fee $10)

Added Programming Fees:

Flexible programming options allow members to attend every program or whatever your schedule and budget allow. No limits on class sizes, no concurrent sessions. Now is your chance to see those sought-after instructors whose sessions fill so quickly at our in-person conferences!

Program Plans:

- All-Inclusive Plan: $325

The EASY choice! Your BEST DEAL! Includes EVERY program. Covers all botanical art instruction (6 three-hour “blocks”) all Wednesday lecture programs and "Best Botanicals" the online exhibition premiere. That’s 25 hours of programming! You save $150 over à la carte prices below!

-All Wednesday Lecture Program Plan: $25

Wednesday is our Virtual Spring Symposium Opening Day filled with informative and compelling lectures from all over the globe. That's 7 hours of presentations, lectures, and more, including our Online Exhibition Premiere.

Members can add individual 3-hour blocks of botanical art instruction to this plan at à la carte prices below.

- Flex Plan: select the individual programs you choose at the à la carte prices below.

À la carte prices

Wednesday Lecture Programs: $25 for all seven lectures including "Best Botanicals" online exhibition premiere
“Blocks” (A, B, C, D, E, or F) of Botanical Art Instruction: $75 each

You will receive a confirmation/receipt by email with a link to the event. SAVE THIS EMAIL! It will be the easiest way to access the event. Click on the “Access Virtual Event” Button in the email. Also, write down your Access Code given just below the button. It will be needed to access the symposium if you misplace your confirmation email. If you misplace your email, you can access the event by going to the event site HERE and click on “Already Registered?” and follow the directions.

We also recommend setting up an account on the registration system. It will allow you to make changes to your registration up until the close of registration. It will also allow you to gain access to the event in case you lose your email registration receipt.

To set up an account, click on the "Set up account now" button on your email confirmation. Click "Claim your Account", Check your email and click on the link to "Reset your Password", Enter a Password, Confirm your password, and click "Create". To view or change your registration, click on "Registrations", Click on "View Details". Click on "Edit" to modify your registration. You may add or delete program options. Your Base Registration Fee is non-refundable. No refunds of program fees after 11pm (EDT) March 16, 2025. You may then access your account at any time at https://ASBA.account.webconnex.com

Don't see a "Set up account now" button on your email confirmation? If you participated in a virtual conference in a prior year, you may already have an account. Go to https://ASBA.account.webconnex.com to access your account by logging in under "View and Manage Your Information".

If you have questions or need assistance with your registration, contact conf.registration@asba-art.org.

REGISTRATION POLICIES

When you register, you will be asked to acknowledge and agree to the following policies:

Registration Policy

I understand that each person who accesses and/or views any programming associated with the 2025 Spring Symposium (this online event) must be individually registered. Registration is valid for the named registrant only. I will receive a unique access code to the event which is valid only for me. I understand that any other individual that will view any or all of the symposium programming will be required to register individually. Registration is non-transferable.

Change/Cancellation Policy

I understand that I may change or cancel my registration until 11pm (EDT) on March 22, 2026 and that the Base Registration Fee is non-refundable. Program Fees are refundable if changes or cancellation are completed online prior to 11pm (EDT) on March 22, 2026. ASBA reserves the right to alter the programming, substitute instructors or change sessions if needed.

Intellectual Property Acknowledgement

I understand that the instruction, demonstrations, and presentations provided during the symposium are the intellectual property of the instructors and presenters, that material presented during symposium programming is the intellectual property of the presenters and that all artwork displayed during the event is covered by copyright. I agree not to record (include taking "screen shots"), retain, or redistribute (including posting on social media) any portion of the programming presented as part of this event.

Technology/Online Access

To participate in this virtual symposium, I understand that I will need to have access to the Zoom online conferencing platform (either through my web browser or via the Zoom application installed on my personal computer, tablet or mobile device). It is my responsibility to ensure I am able to access and use Zoom and that ASBA is not responsible and will not be able to provide refunds if I experience technical difficulties, whether due to the internet, my internet service provider, my web browser, my personal computer, tablet or mobile device settings, Zoom or otherwise during the event.

Browser Access:

I understand that the Zoom web client has limited features and functions best on Google Chrome, Mozilla, Firefox and Chromium Edge. I understand that if I will be accessing through my web browser, that it is my responsibility to ensure that my web browser is up-to-date and compatible.

Zoom Application Access:

I understand that if I am accessing using the Zoom software application, that it is my responsibility to download and install the application (available free from zoom.com) and ensure that my Zoom installation is up-to-date and that I am running the most current version of the software.

Privacy on Zoom

I understand that I will need to agree to Zoom's terms of service and privacy policy (which can be found at www.zoom.com). I understand that anything I type into the Zoom chat or ask in the Q & A sessions may be visible to hosts, presenters, and other participants. If I choose to participate in the Meet, Mix & Mingle virtual socials or the Juror Training session I hereby consent to displaying my name and live video stream from my computer webcam or other electronic device, through the Zoom platform.

ASBA Privacy Policy

American Society of Botanical Artists, Inc. is committed to protecting your privacy. This Statement of Privacy applies to the ASBA website and governs data collection and usage at all ASBA sites and services; it does not apply to other online or offline sites, products or services. Please read the ASBA Statement of Privacy. ASBA is a general audience website, intended for users of all ages. Personal information of all users is collected, used and disclosed as described in this Statement of Privacy.

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2026 Spring Symposium virtual Exhibition - BEST BOTANICALS

This non-juried virtual exhibition is open to all registered attendees of the 2026 Spring Symposium. Each attendee may submit one original botanical artwork. The exhibition will be shown opening night of the Spring Symposium.

With no size restriction and no need to ship artwork, this is a perfect opportunity for artists to share their work. Whether it's a new piece that has just been finished or an older piece from the archives, this is a chance for artists to display their best work.

Call for Entries: 2026 Spring Symposium Virtual Exhibition

2026 Symposium Schedule At-A-Glance

Charlotte Brooks

Charlotte Brooks is the Art Curator for the Royal Horticultural Society; she has worked with the Lindley Library’s botanical art collections since 2003. Alongside her curatorial role, researching, documenting and caring for the collections, she curates the RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show in partnership with Saatchi Gallery. She has written two books, both published with ACC Art Books: RHS Orchids, A History through Botanical Illustration (2022) and RHS Botanical Illustration, The Gold Medal Winners (2019, re-issued with updated artworks in autumn 2025). Charlotte is also currently undertaking a PhD in nineteenth century Chinese botanical watercolors, with Queen Mary, University of London.

Gillian Condy

Gillian Condy was the illustrator at the National Herbarium, Pretoria for 35 years. On retiring, participated in the Tswalu’s Artist in Residence Project.
Her work features in The Highgrove, Transylvanian, Sydney, Banks and Solander Florilegia as well as Grootbos. She has paintings in the Hunt and the Shirley Sherwood collection.

Jessica Daigle

Jessica Daigle is a classically trained illustrator specializing in scientific and botanical illustration, with a focus on intricate ink stippling. Her work brings research and plant life to vivid detail and has been exhibited internationally and published in Fine Gardening Magazine and leading scientific journals.

JAMES & RACHEL de candole

James and Rachel de Candole settled in Transylvania in 2015 after 26 years in Bohemia. Eager to conserve the region's unspoilt farmland of hay meadows and wood pasture, the English couple founded a school of botanical drawing in the belief that the botanical illustrator has always been and remains a true friend of nature conservation.

Rachel Dein

Rachel makes plaster casts of plants and flowers, capturing their ephemeral beauty in exquisite detail. She began exhibiting her work at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 12 years ago, and her book Casting Flowers was published in 2025. Her artworks have been commissioned by hotels, restaurants and private homes across the world.

Mary Dillon

Capturing the essence of a plant with its sensuality and frailty defines the work of award winning Irish artist, Mary Dillon. Mary has a fascination for botanical art as a personal process while at the same time striving for excellence in her art practice. Her painting, ‘Tulipa Black Parrot’ was chosen as the signature image for the National Gallery of Ireland exhibition and subsequent publication by Patricia Butler, Drawn From Nature - the flowering of Irish Botanical Art. Her work belongs in the collection of Dr. Shirley Sherwood and in the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation in Pittsburgh.

Christopher Gardner

Christopher Gardner, is a lifelong plant enthusiast and naturalist. Originally from Essex, England, he gained a BSc in Horticulture from Reading University, England and spent fifteen years as a professional horticulturist and garden designer. His fascination with travel brought him into contact with the flora, wildlife and cultures of many exotic countries and twenty years ago he began guiding botanical and wildlife tours. He guides and arranges botanical tours throughout Turkey, Central Asia, China, Chile, Morocco, Borneo, Australia, the Mediterranean and many other countries, having led over a hundred and fifty tours. His photographic interest and ability has grown immensely leading to the publication with his wife Basak Gardner of the acclaimed ‘Flora of the Silk Road’ (May 2014) a collection of 530 species of beautiful flowers.

Işık Güner

Işık Güner is a published botanical artist from Türkiye who participated in different projects over the years. Her works published in the books such as ‘Plants from the Woods and Forest of Chile’, awarded ‘Excellence in Botanical Art and Illustration’ in 2017, ‘Transylvania Florilegium’ and her book ‘Botanical Illustration from life’ has been published in six languages. Many of her paintings awarded with ‘Gold Medal’ and selected ‘Best in Show’ in international botanical art exhibitions at ‘RHS, London’ and ‘Biscot, Edinburgh’, as well as ‘Mary Mendum medal’ twice. She is currently working as a tutor at Diploma Botanical Illustration at Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh and as an art editor of ‘Illustrated Flora of Turkey’.

Linda Hamilton

Linda creates botanical sculptures out of paper in her home studio in Almonte. She has been making things since she was a child. She earned her BFA from York University in Toronto (2003). She uses all sorts of paper and paint, along with glue and wire, to accurately recreate plants and flowers. Linda loves to create a sense of wonder with her work, and to encourage respect for, and interest in, nature. She knows that many people have a strong emotional connection with flowers, and this is something she continues to explore. Linda creates paper flowers under her business name, Daydream Flowers. She sells her work on her website, creates custom flowers for clients, offers paper flower making workshops, and participates in exhibits and sales.

Dr. Francesca Leoni

Francesca Leoni is Assistant Keeper and Curator of Islamic art in the Department of Eastern Art at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, Oxford University. A faculty member in the history department and research associate at the Khalili Research Center in Oxford (in the faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies), Dr. Leoni has had a long academic and museum career, with roles in the US (2007-2011), before her present curatorial responsibility at Oxford. Recent publications include Aegean Treasures: Greek Island Embroideries from the Ashmolean Museum (2021), the exhibition catalogue In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World (Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 2026) with Stephen Harris, and a forthcoming monograph on Georgie Wolton kilims with Dorothy Armstrong.

Bert Liverance

Bert Liverance is an award-winning botanical artist whose work bridges oil painting and watercolor traditions. Known for luminous floral paintings, he applies watercolor-based discipline to oil through glazing, layering, and controlled mark-making. His practice emphasizes botanical accuracy, patience, and respect for the subject while using oil to build light and translucency over time. Bert teaches and exhibits internationally, has received numerous juried awards, and is a proud member of the American Society of Botanical Artists.

Isabel Mischka

Isabel Mischka is a botanical artist and teacher from Austria. A background in both fine art and agriculture led to her interest in botanical illustration. Her work centers around capturing the essence of plants in watercolor by focusing on the tiny details often overlooked in everyday life. She is also the founder of “KREATIVStudio SÜD”, a space for botanical art and illustration classes in Austria.

Angela Mirro

Inspired by the natural world and her love for orchids, Angela Mirro has painted them for over thirty years. Initially, she studied art at Parsons School of Design and developed a career as a Textile Designer, working in the Home Collection of Ralph Lauren. Her main focus has been on studying and painting orchids in watercolors, which led to visiting some of the natural habitats where orchids grow wild, in places such as Peru, while sometimes conveying the native orchids ‘in situ’, in her paintings. She also grows orchids in her small greenhouse in Brooklyn, NY. Her work has been widely exhibited at such venues as The Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, as well as Kew Gardens, in London England.

Sarah Morrish

Sarah aims to inspire and encourage others to be more aware of the diverse and fascinating kingdom of plants, as well as animal species and the wider environment. She is a passionate educator who teaches for botanical art and natural science organizations, as well as her own popular courses and workshops across the UK, overseas and online. She is also author of the popular book, 'Natural History Illustration in Pen and Ink'.

John Pastoriza PiÑol

John Pastoriza-Piñol is a contemporary visual artist specializing in botanical art, working at the intersection of tradition and innovation. Exhibited nationally and internationally for over 22 years, his practice centres on painting as a tool for exploration, characterized by luminous color and rare botanical subjects. Beneath their beauty, his works reveal ambiguity and darker narratives shaped by the relationship between sight, touch, and thought. His work is held in major public and private collections worldwide. John is represented by Scott Livesey Galleries, teaches internationally, serves on the ASBA Board, and is a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists (UK).

Franco Pupulin

A research professor at the University of Costa Rica, Franco is particularly interested in the systematics and evolution of orchids, with a focus on groups native to tropical America. He has published several monographs, primarily on Zygopetalinae and Pleurothallidinae, and floristic works on orchids from numerous national parks in Costa Rica.

Kelly Leahy Radding

Kelly Leahy Radding is an award-winning contemporary nature artist living on a Connecticut farm. With extensive experience using gouache on toned paper, she creates luminous work grounded in close field observation, including botanical illustrations for the National Tropical Botanical Garden Florilegium and illustrations for an award-winning book of poetry.

Jeanne Reiner

Jeanne Reiner teaches botanical art at the New York Botanical Garden and workshops in different locations. She has also taught and demonstrated her techniques using colored pencil and pastel at the ASBA conferences and the ASBA Botanical Art Techniques webinar. Her work has been featured in exhibitions, galleries and stores.

Betsy Rogers-Knox

Betsy is enchanted by the full lifecycle of plants and their habitats. She works with a variety of watercolor techniques including wet wash, dry brush and glazing to to create strong values and rich color. Her work has been shown widely in the US including the 13th-26th ASBA International Exhibitions.

Daleen Roodt

Daleen’s passion for in situ work brings to life the indigenous orchid and other plant species of South Africa, portraying the intricate relationships between plants, pollinators, and their environment. Her watercolour paintings on paper and vellum has received awards from both the RHS and ASBA, and is featured in the Shirley Sherwood Collection.

Lucy Smith

Lucy T Smith’s career as a botanical artist and illustrator spans over three decades. Her work combines art and science to document the beauty, diversity and detail of plants. Lucy's illustrations have been published in books and journals worldwide, and her own book “Botanical Sketchbook, An Artist’s Guide to Plant Studies” came out in 2024.

Sylvia Strigari

French and Italian national, lives half the year in Italia and half in Costa Ricasince 2007. For the past 15 years, has collaborated withe the Lankester Botanical,Garden, University of Costa Rica, a world renowned orchid research center. After a commercial career in fashion and jewelry, she discovered the art of botanical illustration during a workshop in England with A.M.Evans. In 2007 she met the Prof. Franco Pupulin in Padua and has since dedicated much of her work to illustrating the orchids cultivated at the Lankester Garden. Her work was presented at several World Orchid Conferences as well in group and solo exhibitions in Costa Rica. Many of her illustrations have been published worldwide.

Ann Swan

Ann's mission is to spread the joy of using graphite and coloured pencils believing they are easy to master, forgiving and accessible allowing even complete beginners to achieve convincing results. She has been teaching her techniques for over 30 years from her delightful studio and gardens in Wiltshire, around the world, online and on Zoom and is known for her fine detail, vibrant colors and contemporary style. She constantly experiments with her chosen mediums to achieve different effects, speedier results and even brighter colors. Her book 'Botanical Painting with Coloured Pencils' or 'Plant Portraits with Coloured Pencils' US version, first published in 2010 is still going strong!

Chris Thorogood

Chris Thorogood is an Associate Professor of biology at the University of Oxford, where he holds the position of Deputy Director and Head of Science at Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum, and a Visiting Professor at the University of the Philippines. His research focuses on the evolution of parasitic and carnivorous plants and biomimetics – exploring the potential applications of plants in technology. He is the author of 15 books, a regular broadcaster on BBC radio 4, and an award-winning botanical illustrator and wildlife artist. Obsessed with plants, he is on a mission to make us see them differently, and realize how we, they, and our planet, are all connected.

Donnett Vanek

Donnett Vanek is a botanical artist working in traditional art techniques of drybrush watercolor, graphite, and silverpoint. Donnett’s artwork, Clarkia unguiculata, is in the permanent collection of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. She has exhibited in ASBA’s International exhibitions, The Hunt’s 17th International, and NYBG’s Fifth Triennial; Curious Allies.

Carol Woodin

Carol Woodin has been making paintings in watercolor on vellum for over 30 years and has taught her techniques to people around the world. Carol's work has been exhibited at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery, Kew, UK; Hannarie Wenhold Gallery, Grootbos, South Africa; and UBS Gallery, New York. In 2024, she received the Shirley Sherwood Award for ‘broad and significant contributions to botanical art’. She is co-editor, along with Robin Jess, of Botanical Art Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide, published by ASBA and Timber Press.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 9:55 am - 5 pm EDT

Accordion Widget

Wednesday Lecture Series

Registration includes all seven hours of Wednesday presentations, lectures, and more, including our Online Exhibition Premiere.

SESSION REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Yes
$25

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 10 - 11 am EDT

Accordion Widget

Lecture 1 James and Rachel de Candole - "An Illustrated Herbarium of Transylvania's Grasslands"

For centuries, Transylvania's grasslands have been conscientiously grazed by farmed animals, creating space for hundreds of species of wildflowers to flourish. These are now threatened as the local economy moves away from subsistence farming. Our herbarium offers solid scientific evidence of the diversity of flora here. It will allow future generations to determine whether and in what way this genetic treasure has been depleted. Botanical illustrators play an invaluable role. Each plant in our herbarium is accompanied by a pen and wash illustration drawn by hand from the living plant by 25 visiting artists.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm EDT

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Lecture 2 Chris Gardner - "Flora of the Silk Road"

Chris Gardner shares his first-hand experience exploring the many beautiful species of plants along the path of the famed Silk Road. Expertly melding the botany of this floristically rich region with the history of this legendary route, Chris will provide the viewer with an enticing look at the diverse flowers and splendid scenery along its path from Turkey to China.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 12 pm - 1 pm EDT

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Lecture 3 Dr. Francesca Leoni & Dr. Shailen Bhandare "In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World"

What do we really know today about the everyday plants in our gardens or the freshly cut flowers in our vases? Many have hidden qualities, exotic ancestors and violent pasts. In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World, on view at the Ashmolean Museum, until 16 August 2026, takes visitors on a journey from Oxford, around the world and back, to explore the global histories behind some of Britain’s best-loved blooms. Using a selection of the artworks on show, this lecture will offer a virtual walk-through of the exhibition and reflect on the enduring impact of flora on art and creativity.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1 pm - 2 pm EDT

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Lecture 4 Gillian Condy - "Tswalu’ Kalahari Reserve's Artist in Residence Project"

The Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is the largest private game reserve in South Africa covering 1200 sq. kilometers of ecologically significant semi-arid wilderness. The Tswalu Foundation supports environmental research working with the top academic institutes. The Artist in Residence program introduced an exciting new venture.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 2 pm - 3 pm EDT

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Lecture 5 Chris Thorogood - "Adventures of an Illustrating Botanist"

In his expeditions across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, botanist Chris Thorogood has gone to the very heart of the world's vast, green wilderness. Along the way, he’s encountered pitcher plants, irises and orchids of unimaginable beauty, and the world’s largest flowers. In this lecture, Chris will bring his adventures to life with his paintings while explaining the vital work he and the team at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden does to protect plants.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 3 pm - 4 pm EDT

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Lecture 6 Sylvia Strigari & Franco Pupulin - "The New Refugium Botanicum"

Until the widespread diffusion of photography, science and pictorial art were inextricably linked for centuries. The New Refugium Botanicum was born from the idea of reviving this pairing in a contemporary key, bringing together in a series of publications aimed at the general public Sylvia's artistic work and the scientific work conducted at one of the world's leading orchid research centers, the Lankester Botanical Garden. The Symposium will present the experience of this adventure, which lasted more than six years and revived the orchid romance of the original Refugium Botanicum, through the testimonies of the artist and the coordinator of the scientific texts.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 4 pm - 5 pm EDT

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Lecture 7 Keynote speaker Charlotte Brooks "RHS Orchids, A History Through Botanical Art"

This talk will present a history of orchid paintings as seen through the RHS Lindley Library’s collection of botanical illustration. The Royal Horticultural Society has commissioned an official ‘Orchid Artist’ since 1897, to support the work of the judges on the Orchid Expert Group. Nelly Roberts was the first artist invited to paint portraits of award-winning orchids for the Society. Deborah Lambkin continues the legacy today, with over 7,500 illustrations of orchids now held in the collection. Over time the artists have developed a unique way of presenting these fascinating flowers, that makes them all the more intriguing. This talk will be delivered via Zoom, accompanied by Powerpoint slides.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 5 pm EDT

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"Best Botanicals" - Virtual Exhibition Premiere

Join us to view "Best Botanicals" our online exhibition premiere featuring the work of Symposium attendees.

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 9:55am - 1 pm EDT

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Block "A" - Botanical Art Instruction

Registration includes three one-hour lessons (below).

SESSION REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Yes
$75

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 10 am - 11 am EDT

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A-1 Isabel Mischka - "Enhancing botanical storytelling with insect protagonists" (watercolor)

This session focuses on how adding the tiny heroes of our natural world can reignite artistic inspiration while creating awareness for their protection. I’ll talk about exploring the exciting possibilities that lie right at the edge of botanical art and incorporating them into work, something that has helped me to recover from severe creative burn out. My way of choosing interesting pairings and then turning them into engaging compositions that highlight both the subjects beauty and their importance in nature. I’ll also show you how I mix and layer my watercolor to capture jewel-like shine on beetles or transparency on dragonfly wings.

DOWNLOADABLE SESSION OVERVIEW AND SUPPLY LIST

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm EDT

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A-2 Lucy T. Smith - "Botanical Drawing: one pencil, many ways" (graphite)

Having drawn thousands of plants in pencil over the years, and through teaching and writing about how to do it, distinct steps and methods have become clear to me. Here I will share some of the step-by-step processes and applications of this wonderfully versatile medium. With observational drawing and an understanding of botany at their heart, I will take you through the many ways to use your pencil during the drawing process, demonstrating how the pencil is used from the first sketchy marks of a drawing, through to finely rendered detail. Along the way we will also examine different ways of drawing in preparation for both watercolor and pen and ink work.

DOWNLOADABLE SESSION OVERVIEW AND SUPPLY LIST

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 12 pm - 1 pm EDT

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A-3 Sarah Morrish - "Illustrating a Complex Cone in Gouache" (gouache)

Sarah has always enjoyed the challenge of illustrating complex cones. In this session she will take you through the stages of studying, drawing and painting a cone from the Holford Pine, portraying it on toned paper. Gouache is the perfect opaque media to work on such paper and she will share with you many of the color-mixing and painting techniques she utilizes. The Holford Pine is a tree that Sarah has studied for over ten years as it grows outside of the studio where she teaches in rural Hampshire, UK.

DOWNLOADABLE SESSION OVERVIEW AND SUPPLY LIST

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 1:55 pm - 5 pm EDT

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Block "B" - Botanical Art Instruction

Registration includes three one-hour lessons (below).

SESSION REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Yes
$75

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 2 pm - 3 pm EDT

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B-1 Betsy Rogers-Knox - “Understanding the Fibonacci Sequence in Watercolor” (watercolor)

Using an acorn and pinecone as subjects, this tutorial will demonstrate a step-by-step approach to simplify, understand and accurately portray the fascinating pattern in plants that nature has created to assure that every seed has equal access to nutrients, light and space. Beginning with a line drawing to understand accurate proportions within the interlocking spirals is the key to a successful outcome. Applying watercolor using a variety of techniques including wet wash, dry brush and glazing, can create strong tonal contrasts to build form and create a dynamic representation of the Fibonacci Sequence.

DOWNLOADABLE SESSION OVERVIEW AND SUPPLY LIST

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 3 pm - 4 pm EDT

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B-2 Jeanne Reiner - "Drawing the Vibrant Leaves of the Radicchio di Chioggia in Colored Pencil and Pastel" (colored pencil and Pan Pastel)

Using colored pencils and Pan Pastels, Jeanne will demonstrate how to combine these two materials to create soft value transitions while enhancing color intensity. Instruction will focus on creating light, colorful shadows on the white, undulating leaf surfaces, developing smooth gradations of value, and establishing strong contrast against the deep, saturated magenta colors characteristic of radicchio. This demo will detail how to illustrate using double-sided matte Dura-Lar film.

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Thursday, March 26, 2026, 4 pm - 5 pm EDT

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B-3 John Pastoriza-Piñol - "Color, Light & Form: Split Primary Color Theory and the Polychromatic Tonal Study" (watercolor)

This online session introduces botanical artists to a contemporary approach to color theory and tonal modelling using a split-primary limited palette and polychromatic tonal studies. Participants will explore layering transparent synthetic organic pigments directly on paper to achieve luminous color, depth, and form. Using a simply lit spherical form, artists will learn to identify key tonal zones—highlight, local color, shadow, and reflected light—through accurate light–dark mapping. The demonstration shows how split primaries interact to build realistic botanical color without muddiness. Ideal for artists seeking greater control of light, volume, and chroma through deliberate layering techniques.

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Friday, March 27, 2026, 9:55 pm - 1 pm EDT

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Block "C" - Botanical Art Instruction

Registration includes three one-hour lessons (below).

SESSION REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Yes
$75

Friday, March 27, 2026, 10 am - 11 am EDT

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C-1 Rachel Dein - “Casting Flowers” (Plaster plant impressions)

Rachel Dein is a preserver: through her art form, she started an innovative technique she called botanical bas-relief, in which flowers and plants are cast in plaster. Rachel's talk begins with the roots of her work at art college, and then her career as a prop maker for London theatres including Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Opera House. She'll describe how she began her own studio making botanical bas reliefs, describe the process, and show examples of her current work on large-scale projects. She'll also explore how botanical bas-relief is part of a wider history of nature printing in art.

Her book ‘Casting Flowers: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Beautiful Botanical Art’ is now available.

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Friday, March 27, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm EDT

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C-2 Mary Dillon - "Soft, Slow, and Subtle — Refining Your Botanical Watercolors" (Watercolor)

Fritillaries are a joy to paint, with their nodding ‘snake’s head’ flowers, elegant stems, and beautifully patterned petals. I invite you to slow down and refine your botanical watercolor practice. Working with a limited palette of warm and cool transparent colors, we will explore wet, damp, and dry techniques, observe how color and light interact, and address common challenges. Suitable for all levels, this session will help you develop greater control, subtlety, and confidence in your painting.

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Friday, March 27, 2026, 12 pm - 1 pm EDT

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C-3 Ann Swan - "Understand Underpainting for Colored Pencil and Graphite" (colored pencil and graphite)

Ann will introduce you to the types of solvents she uses in her work and some of the effects she is able to achieve and hopefully, she will be able to allay some of the misconceptions around the use of these solvents. She will demonstrate her techniques for both color work and as a background for graphite drawing and explain when and where these are appropriate, how to apply and why they make a useful addition to the pencil artist's repertoire. Ann will explain the importance of studying plant material, deconstructing and planning your approach to incorporate these techniques into your botanical plant portraits successfully.

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Friday, March 27, 2026, 1:55 pm - 5 pm EDT

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Block "D" - Botanical Art Instruction

Registration includes three one-hour lessons (below).

SESSION REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Yes
$75

Friday, March 27, 2026, 2 pm - 3 pm EDT

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D-1 Kelly Leahy Radding - "Starting in the Middle: The Beauty of Gouache on Toned Paper" (gouache)

Gouache is a beautiful water-based medium for finished illustrations and paintings, prized for its rich color, opaque versatility, and velvety matte surface. Using toned paper as the surface adds that extra “it” factor, providing an immediate mid-value that unifies the composition from the start. Because gouache can be layered opaquely and lightened with white, artists can confidently build luminous passages over darker values while adjusting forms as the painting evolves. Toned paper—whether light, mid, or dark—enhances depth, drama, texture, and color harmony, allowing highlights and structure to emerge with clarity and intention.

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Friday, March 27, 2026, 3 pm - 4 pm EDT

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D-2 Jessica Daigle - "Seeing in Black & White: A Botanical Approach to Ink Stippling" (ink-stipple)

In this session, we explore how rich, complex color can be translated into black and white ink stippling, through value-driven observation. Using plant structures as reference, students will learn to simplify layered color information into clear value relationships. We’ll focus on letting light and shadow guide dot placement. Rather than outline or color we will rely on density, spacing, and scale of dots to suggest form. This class emphasizes seeing value first, allowing complexity to emerge from simplicity, patience, and intentional mark-making in stipple ink practice.

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Friday, March 27, 2026, 4 pm - 5 pm EDT

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D-3 Donnett Vanek - "Techniques of graphite and watercolor composition" (graphite/watercolor)

Join artist Donnett Vanek for her presentation, "Techniques of Graphite and Watercolor Composition." Donnett will take participants on a journey of exploration through the techniques she used in her multi-media rendering of an Echinocystis lobata, Wild Cucumber. During this presentation, Donnett will discuss how and why an artist may choose to use two media in a composition. The artist will take you through the steps of her composition, from blocking in a sketch to the final rendering. Donnett will discuss and demonstrate the graphite and drybrush techniques used in her artwork. At the close of the presentation, participants will understand how to render a cohesive multi-media artwork.

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Saturday, March 28, 2026, 9:55 am - 1 pm EDT

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Block "E" - Botanical Art Instruction

Registration includes three one-hour lessons (below).

SESSION REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Yes
$75

Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10 am - 11 am EDT

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E-1 Daleen Roodt - "The Quest for Calanthe" (watercolor)

Despite 207 Calanthe species worldwide, Calanthe sylvatica is the only orchid in this genus growing in South Africa. Follow Daleen through a lush, indigenous forest of KwaZulu-Natal in pursuit of the lilac forest orchid. From permits, to pollinators, and color changing petals, her journey explores the habitat in which this healthy colony of orchids grow, working towards capturing an authentic experience to be painted in watercolor. She will demonstrate steps in her process, from fieldwork sketches and color studies to painting technique of the flowers on vellum.

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Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm EDT

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E-2 Işık Güner - "蘭之魅 Lán Zhī Mèi – The Beauty of Orchids" (watercolor)

In this online presentation, Işık Güner shares insights from a two-year artistic and research project exploring orchids through botanical illustration and traditional Chinese Gōng bĭ painting. The talk examines the beauty, diversity, and vulnerability of wild orchids, and reflects on how careful observation and disciplined artistic methods can communicate conservation concerns. Blending artistic process with botanical understanding, the presentation invites a deeper, more mindful engagement with these remarkable plants.

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Saturday, March 28, 2026, 12 pm - 1 pm EDT

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E-3 Linda Hamilton - "Sculpting Botanicals with Paper" (paper art)

In this session artist Linda Hamilton will discuss the various paper sculpting techniques that she uses to create realistic, botanically accurate models of plants and flowers. She will follow the steps of creating an orchid to demonstrate how she goes from inspiration to a finished piece. She will encourage participation to teach some of the key concepts of paper sculpture.

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Saturday, March 28, 2026, 1:55 pm - 5 pm EDT

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Block "F" - Botanical Art Instruction

Registration includes three one-hour lessons (below).

SESSION REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Yes
$75

Saturday, March 28, 2026, 2 pm - 3 pm EDT

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F-1 Carol Woodin - "The Anatomy of an Orchid Flower" (watercolor on vellum)

Using two orchid flowers of different genera, we’ll examine how the specific aspects of orchid anatomy manifest themselves. Through demonstrations of drawing and painting orchid flowers in watercolor on vellum, we’ll find and identify all these characteristic parts. Although orchids display a vast range of size, color, and shape, they all conform to the same structural elements. Knowing the anatomy of an orchid flower will keep artists on track to create realistic depictions that convey the fascinating diversity of the orchid family.

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Saturday, March 28, 2026, 3 pm - 4 pm EDT

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F-2 Bert Liverance - "Botanical Oil Painting Through a Watercolor Lens" (oil)

In this live demonstration, I walk through my botanical oil painting process from ideation to finished work. Using orchids as the subject, I begin with reference evaluation and compositional drawing, then move through image transfer, tonal underpainting, and layered color development. Throughout the session, I show how watercolor principles such as careful observation, glazing, restraint, and revision inform my oil painting practice, allowing for precision, translucency, and control. Shared botanical values and practical decision making at each stage of the process guide the evolution of the painting.

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Saturday, March 28, 2026, 4 pm - 5 pm EDT

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F-3 Angela Mirro - "The Joy of Painting Orchids And How I Go About It" (wet on wet watercolor)

I’ll begin with a brief introduction and overview of my work, and then demonstrate painting an actual live orchid plant in front of me, with the limited time, I’ll select a small area to focus on. After having determined the composition and transferring my drawing onto paper in advance, I’ll start mixing the colors, and begin painting, step by step, from light to dark with a fairly large brush, blocking in the lightest tones. When dry, I will then further develop the area I selected, by overlaying transparent washes of color, progressing from light to dark, slowly building up the depth and details, using wet on wet washes to convey subtle gradations of tones, and will then focus on details using a smaller brush.

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