Filoli Botanical Art Certificate Program
The Filoli Botanical Art Certificate Program offers a unique in-depth study of botanical art through challenging, integrated and comprehensive courses. The curriculum includes the systematic study of artistic skills and concepts, basic botany and botanical art history. A certificate will be presented upon successful completion of course work (180 classroom hours plus homework) and presentation of a portfolio and final project. This program is for the serious student who wishes to develop knowledge and skills in botanical art.
Enrollment in the certificate program is not necessary to participate in these classes; however, prerequisites must be completed. To enroll in the certificate program, please complete the enrollment form. Credit hours for each class are indicated next to the class title (# hours).
The complete 2008 schedule below is to assist students with planning the year. For those classes noted with an “on sale” date, class dates and times are subject to change.
Registration fees include a program handbook, classroom materials and handouts and instructor consultation time (up to 4 hours). Class material lists will be available upon registration or can be downloaded in advance under the course description. Unless otherwise indicated, classes are taught by our primary instructors and curriculum developeres, Lee McCaffree and Catherine M. Watters.
Required Courses:
Optional Courses:
Flora in Focus (6 hours)
How to Make Field Notes (3 hours)
Master Class (12 hours)
Botany through Drawing (15 hours)
2009 dates to be announced.
Studying botany increases your understanding and ability to be a successful botanical artist. By understanding the structure of stems, leaves, flowers and roots an artist can be more creative in arranging an accurate plant portrait. Each class will explore a different aspect of plant structure and growth as well as plant families and nomenclature. Students exhibit what they have learned through a series of drawings. Homework assignments are given in each class. Click here for a materials list.
Fee: $235 for members; $280 for non-member
Color Mixing for Artists (15 hours)
Buy Now!
Monday, August 11 - Friday, August 15, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Instructor: Susan Fisher
Color mixing is a necessity for all artists. This class teaches students to mix the colors they want, not the ones they end up with through trial and error. Learn an easy system for combining colors consistently to achieve the broadest possible spectrum for any "wet" medium including watercolor, gouache, acrylics, oils, inks, alkyds or egg tempura. This understanding will help students move to a much higher level of achievement. Daily homework assignments will be given. The classroom will remain open until 3:30 pm daily if you wish to continue working at Filoli or, you may take your work home. Click here for a materials list.
Fee: $325 for members; $390 for non-member
 Flower Powers
by Gary Greene
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Colored Pencil (15 hours) SOLD OUT
Thursday, May 22 - Saturday, May 24, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Instructor: Gary Greene
In this workshop, master colored pencil artist, Gary Greene teaches students how to paint startlingly realistic flowers with the creative and exciting medium of colored pencil. Using simple floral studies, the class learns colored pencil techniques Gary uses in his floral paintings. Students paint a different floral study each of the three days, using three different techniques. All studies will be shown in step-by-step stages of completion, and then demonstrated by Gary. Reference art and easy-to-understand notes will be provided for each of the studies. Click here for a materials list.
Drawing Plants in Perspective (15 hours)
On Sale June 2: Tuesdays, July 8 and 15, Thursday, July 10
This foundation course teaches students to accurately draw plants by observing basic botanical shapes and structures and illustrating them in great detail with botanical accuracy. Each of the five classes focuses on one shape to emphasize and develop observation and foreshortening skills. Students learn to interpret hidden edges to achieve a believable drawing and work on shading skills through value contrast to create three-dimensional shapes. Homework assignments are given in each class. Click here for a materials list.
Fee: $235 for members; $280 for non-members
Graphite Pencil (15 hours)
SOLD OUT
Wednesday, July 30 - Friday, August 1, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Instructor: Martha Kemp
From crisp details to flawless continuous tone, it's all about control. This workshop explores the versatility of graphite pencil for rendering the details, texture and volume of leaves, flowers or everyday specimens from the grocery store's produce department. It's almost like sculpting on paper. Additional work may be assigned for those enrolled in the Botanical Art Certificate Program. Click here for a materials list.
History of Botanical Art (4 hours)
Dates to be announced.
Instructor: Dana and Leila Lyons
This class is an in-depth study of the rich history of botanical art from its earliest beginnings through the 20th century, including its recent revival and the important role it plays today. Participants learn through engaging conversation, an exquisite collection of prints, slides and other media focusing on major botanical artists such as Georg Ehret and P.J. Redouté as well as other historically significant events like the Age of Exploration and major Florilegiums. Students enrolled in the Botanical Art Certificate Program are required to write a paper on their favorite botanical artist.
How to Make Field Notes (3 hours)
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Friday, June 6, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Observational sketches used as studies for future paintings are very important when working in the field. Students inspect plants by looking at the parts and posture, both of which are important when making an accurate painting or drawing. Color notes will be made by matching colors to a plant on location in the garden. The documenting of a plant’s information enables students to create a record of details while allowing them to really get to know the plant.
Fee: $60 for members; $75 for non-members
Labeling, Matting and Framing (6 hours)
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Fridays, March 7 and 14, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
On sale June 2: Tuesday, October 14.
Labeling, matting and framing are all essential elements in completing and presenting your artwork. This class teaches students the various ways to label their botanical artwork and demonstrates matting and framing techniques in a range of styles from the traditional to the contemporary. Mats and frames will be available for practice. Please bring one completed painting and a digital camera for class activities.
Fee: $95 for members; $115 for non-members
Pen and Ink (15 hours)
2009 dates to be announced.
Instructor: Linda Ann Vorobik
The basics of pen and ink techniques are taught through an engaging curriculum of lectures, demonstrations and hands-on exercises with seasoned botanist and illustrator Dr. Linda Anne Vorobik. Students are introduced to drawing skills and parts of the plant through the scientific precision of botanical illustration. The class closes with a friendly critique of drawings produced. Additional work may be assigned for those enrolled in the Botanical Art Certificate Program. Click here for a materials list.
Fee: $325 for members; $390 for non-members
Portfolio: Presenting your Artwork (6 hours)
On sale June 2: Tuesday, October 7.
How you present yourself and your artwork is very important. This class includes instruction on how to write a biography, a résumé of exhibitions and an artist statement. Photographing and reproducing artwork are also discussed. Please bring your portfolio and artwork for class activities. This class prepares students for the Botanical Art Certificate Program portfolio presentation.
Fee: $95 for members; $115 for non-members
Textures, Patterns and Details (15 hours)
Prerequisite: Watercolor I
On Sale June 2: Fridays, August 8 - 29
This class continues to explore botanical painting skills to illustrate plants with more accuracy. Patterns of color, textures and other plant surfaces are practiced using color, washes, negative space and dry brush work. Representation of highlights, hairy and fuzzy surfaces, airy plants, shiny surfaces and succulents are challenges when maintaining the form of the plant subject. Using more advanced techniques gives the artist the confidence to try more complicated plant portraits.
Fee: $235 for members; $280 for non-members
Watercolor I Buy Now!
Prerequisite: Drawing Plants in Perspective
Fridays, April 11 - May 16 (except May 9), 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
On sale June 2: Tuesdays, August 26 - September 23
Transparent watercolor is the traditional medium of botanical art. This beginning course serves as the foundation for painting in watercolor. It covers the basic materials such as papers, brushes and paints. Students learn techniques through exercises using different washes and application of paint on wet and dry paper. Dry brush work used for accuracy and detail is covered. These methods are applied to basic plant forms as students develop their skills. Homework assignments are given in each class. Click here for a materials list.
Fee: $235 members; $280 non-members
Watercolor II Cancelled
Prerequisite: Watercolor I
Tuesdays, May 20 - June 17, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This intermediate class further develops student's skills in mixing colors, washes and layering. Students work on highlights, shading of simple and complex forms, painting white flowers and transparent subjects. Homework assignments are given in each class. Click here for a materials list.
Fee: $235 members; $280 non-members
Watercolor III Buy Now!
Prerequisite: Watercolor II
Fridays, April 11 - May 16 (except May 9), 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
On sale June 2: Tuesdays, September 2 - 30
This advanced class continues the development of watercolor skills while focusing on painting complex forms. Students also develop a painting to be included in their final review project for the Botanical Art Certificate Program. Click here for a materials list.
Fee: $235 members; $280 non-members
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Annual Exhibition
 Camellia Japonica "Jordan's Pride" by Akido Enokido
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10th Annual
Botanical Art Exhibition
July 1 through August 3, 2008
The botanical art program at Filoli
has bloomed over the past ten years. This year’s exhibition
will be displayed in the spectacular Ballroom and includes
contemporary works of botanical art alongside a special
collection of exquisite antique prints, interesting stories and
interpretive information on the history of botanical art.
Filoli is privileged to have two outstanding Florilegium
collections: the Filoli Florilegium and the Banks’ Florilegium.
The Filoli Florilegium is a growing collection of original,
contemporary botanical art depicting the plants from the
Garden at Filoli. The collection currently has nineteen
pieces of original artwork by eight guild artists. The Filoli
Florilegium can be seen in the Visitor and Education Center
and in the Cloak Room of the House.
The Banks’ Florilegium consists of more than 700 botanical
line engravings. The illustrations record the plants collected
by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Daniel Carl Solander on Captain
James Cook’s first voyage around the world, 1768-1771. One
hundred sets of individually-colored prints were produced
between 1980 and 1990 and Filoli is fortunate to have one of
those sets. A selection of prints can be seen in the Visitor and
Education Center and the Ready Room next to the entrance
to the Ballroom.
Other components of our growing botanical art program
are the Botanical Art Certificate Program and introductory
classes. Discover the talent and enthusiasm of our students
through a collection of paintings and drawings on display in
the Visitor and Education Center.
Artist Reception
Reserve Now!
Join us in celebrating this significant achievement and begin your journey of knowledge about this fascinating and historically significant art form by attending the artist reception on Saturday, July 12, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Artists and collectors will be on hand to answer questions and give you insight into their work, a collection of note cards and prints will be on sale all while you enjoy delightful hors d’oevres and refreshments. Reservations are required to attend this no-charge reception.
Botanical Art Exhibition
CALL FOR ENTRIES
The botanical art program at Filoli has bloomed over the past ten years. Join us in celebrating this significant achievement by entering to exhibit at the 10th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition at Filoli. This year’s exhibition will include contemporary works of botanical art and a special collection of antique prints alongside interesting stories and interpretive information on the history of botanical art. The Filoli Florilegium collection and a selection of prints from the Banks' Florilegium will also be displayed.
Artists are invited to enter original artwork in any two-dimensional medium that reflects the rich tradition of botanical art and adheres to high standards of botanical accuracy and skilled use of media. Deadline for submission is May 9, 2008.
For a Prospectus and Entry Form:
Click here to download.
Request one by email to classes@filoli.org.
Request one by calling the Education Hotline at 650 364-8300, extension 298.
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Filoli Florilegium
 Makus 'Winter Banana' by Lee McCaffree
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A florilegium is a “book of flowers.” It is commonly a group of botanical paintings depicting a particular collection. The collection may represent an explorations (as in the Bank's Florilegium), a garden (Jardin Du Roi: Florilegium of Prince Eugene of Savoy) or perhaps a plant family (Redoute's Les lilacees).
The Filoli Florilegium began in 2000 and is a growing collection of original contemporary botanical art depicting the plants from the garden at Filoli. Florilegium artwork can be seen during the annual Botanical Art Exhibition or by appointment through the Education Office.
For more information about the Filoli Florilegium including a project overview and application to become a guild artist, please contact the Education Office at classes@filoli.org or by phone at 650 364-8300 x233.
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Botanical Art Certificate Program Instructors
Susan T. Fisher
Susan T. Fisher is the Art Institute Program Manager at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Her artwork is in private collections and has been exhibited in local and national juried shows. Ms. Fisher is an artist in the Filoli Florilegium Guild and she lectures and conducts workshops all throughout Colorado and at Filoli.
Color Mixing for Artists
(Monday, August 11 through Friday, August, 15, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
 Petals by
Gary Greene
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Gary Greene
Gary Greene conducts workshops in an informal, encouraging atmosphere with an emphasis on fun. Gary is the author of nine North Light books including: Colored Pencil & Watercolor Pencil – No Experience Required, Painting with Water-Soluble Colored Pencils, Creating Textures in Colored Pencil and Capturing Radiant Flowers in Colored Pencil. He has taught workshops nationally and internationally since 1985. For more information about Gary visit his web site www.geocities.com/garygreeneart.
Colored Pencil
(Thursday, May 22 through Saturday, May 24, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)
Martha Kemp
Martha G. Kemp began studying botanical drawing in 1991 and soon specialized in the use of graphite pencil for the rendering of botanical subjects. She has exhibited widely in the United States in juried and invitational shows and has received numerous awards, including the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) 1999 annual “Award for Excellence in Botanical Art,” and, in September 2003, “Best Drawing in Show” at the ASBA/New York Horticultural Society’s Sixth Annual International Juried Exhibition in New York City. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation at Carnegie Mellon University, the Shirley Sherwood Collection in London, the Garden Club of America’s headquarters in NYC, and the collection of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Florilegium Society. She has exhibited six times in London at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Westminster shows, where she has been awarded one Silver-Gilt Medal and five Gold Medals, most recently in November 2007. She served on the Board of Directors of the ASBA from 1999 to 2005.
Graphite Pencil
(Wednesday, July 30 through Friday, August 1, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Dana and Leila Lyons
Dana Conley Lyons is the director of Lyons Ltd. Antique Prints, a forty-year-old family firm that specializes in original etchings, engravings, and lithographs dating from 1490-1920. Dana majored in International Relations at Stanford University and spent her junior year abroad traveling and studying art history and politics with the Stanford in Florence program. She is currently an active appraiser of antique prints, recently volunteering her skills for a number of fundraising efforts, and serves on various committees including the vetting committee for prints, photography, and posters at the 2007 Los Angeles Antiques Show and two juried committees at Filoli: Botanical Art Exhibition and Filoli Florilegium. Dana is on the board of the Antique Dealers League of California and lectures to many community groups on the history of antique prints. For more information about Lyons Ltd. visit their website at www.lyonsltd.com
History of Botanical Art
(Dates to be announced.)
Lee McCaffree
Lee McCaffree is a botanical illustrator in watercolor. She began her career in London, England studying under Christabel King of Kew Gardens and Capel Manor Environmental College. She received medals for showing her Pinus and Plants in Peril series at the Royal Horticultural Society exhibitions in London. Her work is included in the Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation and the Filoli Florilegium as well as private collections. Her work has been exhibited at Longwood Gardens, Horticultural Society of New York, Denver Botanic Gardens, Strybing Arboretum, New York State Museum, Oakland Museum, Filoli, and other venues. She teaches botanical art at Filoli and to private groups. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Botanical Artists.
Lizzie Sanders
Lizzie Sanders is a graphic design graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, now part of the University of Dundee. As an art director and graphic designer she worked in Italy for five years and then spent three years in New York working in Madison Avenue for a major advertising agency. On moving back to Scotland, Lizzie returned to graphic design initially as an employee and then as a partner and director in a leading, specialist design consultancy. Lizzie has been producing botanical paintings for some fifteen years. Her work is botanically accurate, painted meticulously in watercolour, using a dry brush technique. She is the recipient of many prestigious awards and has been honoured on numerous occasions. Lizzie has considerable teaching experience both in graphic design and botanical illustration. She lectured regularly at three of the Scottish art colleges and served as a member of the degree assessment team at her old college, Duncan of Jordanstone. She currently tutors advanced botanical illustration at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, Lizzie also occasionally teaches small, specially organised, master classes the USA and the UK. Lizzie is a keen gardener and has spent her spare time in the last few years creating a garden, including a large wildlife pond complete with marauding otters, in the remote Highlands of North West Scotland. For more information about Ms. Sanders visit her web site at www.lizziesanders.co.uk.
Master Class
(Monday, October 20 through Friday, October 24, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Linda Ann Vorobik
Linda Ann Vorobik holds a PhD from the University of Oregon, Eugene and conducts field research and teaches in the Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon. She currently lives at her family home on Lopez Island, Washington and visits Berkeley on a regular basis, where she is a Research Associate at the University Herbarium, UC. Linda has over 25 years of illustration and college level teaching experiences and is principal illustrator of, The Flora of Santa Cruz Island, The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California and Morphology and Evolution of Vascular Plants. For more information about Linda visitor her web site at www.vorobikbotanicalart.com.
Pen and Ink
(Thursday, March 27 through Saturday, March 29, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Catherine M. Watters
Catherine M. Watters is one of the primary instructors and curriculum developers for the new Filoli Botanical Art Certificate Program, and has been at Filoli since 1999. She also teaches several weekly classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and served on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Botanical Artists from 2000-2006.
Born in Paris, where her love of art and flowers began, Catherine is a botanical artist who paints in watercolor on paper and vellum. She exhibits her work in several juried and invitational shows each year, most recently at Filoli, Strybing Arboretum in San Francisco, the Oakland Museum, the Weisman Museum in Minneapolis and the New York Horticultural Society. Her illustrations appear in 5 books, three in the U.S. and two in France. She was recently awarded ‘Best in Show’ at the Portland Home and Garden Show. Her paintings are included in several permanent collections: Filoli Florilegium, Quarryhill Florilegium, The Gardens at Heather Farms Florilegium, the Garden Club of America headquarters in New York and the Museum of Natural History in Paris.
More Filoli Instructors
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Peruvian Squill 
Trillium ovatum
by Lizzie Sanders 
Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff' 
