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Botanical Art
 They come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and textures. Don’t miss Succulents with Lee McCaffree this summer.
The Botanical Art program at Filoli has long been an essential part of our mission to interpret and preserve the history of this country estate. Whether it's through one of our 2 – 5 day classes, the Certificate Program, the Filoli Florilegium or the annual exhibit, artists continue to be inspired by the plant collections at Filoli.
Our students say it best:
“Excellent class in every way. Thank you!” By Jean Carpenter from Introduction to Botanical Art, Spring 2010
“You continue to inspire, support and challenge – thank you.” By Diana Platt from Drawing Plants in Perspective II with Catherine Watters, Spring 2010
“Learning these basics has been the type of class I’ve always wanted to take.” By Kay Wolfolk from Watercolor I with Lee McCaffree, Spring 2010
“Nina is a very good instructor – positive, encouraging, relaxed and skillful.” From Colored Pencil with Nina Antze
Classes – Registration Currently Open
Filoli offers a wide-ranging schedule of botanical art classes for all levels of experience. With the exception of Introduction to Botanical Art, all classes listed below are part of the Botanical Art Certificate Program and are noted accordingly using the following key:
 Required class  Elective class
It is not necessary to enroll in the Botanical Art Certificate Program to participate in these classes; however, prerequisites must be completed.
Class materials lists are available upon registration or can be downloaded in advance under the class description. Instructor biographies are available by clicking on the instructor's name or by clicking on Instructor Biographies. Certificate Program credit hours are listed next to the class title.
Unless otherwise indicated, these classes take place in the Roth Room on the second floor of the historic House. Access to this classroom is by stairs only. For questions about accessibility, please contact the Education Office by email to classes@filoli.org or by phone at (650) 364-8300, ext. 233.
Botanical Art classes below are listed in alphabetical order. 2011 classes will be announced Monday, October 4.
A student studies the anatomy of a flower.
Botany through Drawing
Tuesdays, September 14, October 5, 12 and 26, and November 2, 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Instructor: Lee McCaffree
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. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program are given homework assignments in each class.
Fee: $235 for members; $280 for non-members
Calligraphy Workshop: Traditional Inks and Lettering
Thursdays, September 30, October 7 and 14, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Instructor: Sara Loesch Frank
Create you own traditional walnut ink in class and use it to practice a very elegant Gothicized Italic lettering style using a dip pen. Sara’s style of teaching is relaxed and practical. You will enjoy learning this traditional art form in the historic environment of Filoli. A recipe for oak gall ink, common in the Middle Ages up until the late 1800’s, will also be provided. This is a Botanical Art Certificate Program elective class: 3 hours of credit.
Fee: $145 members; $175 non-members
Learn how to get the colors you want.
Color Mixing for Artists
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: Susan T. 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. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program are given homework assignments in each class.
Fee: $325 for members; $390 for non-members.
Pepperwood Wildflowers by Nina Antze.
Colored Pencil
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: Nina Antze
This workshop focuses on learning and practicing colored pencil techniques while making study pages for future reference. The workshop will begin with a lesson on the different types of pencils and papers, color theory, including a color wheel to learn about color bias, and hands-on learning of basic colored pencil techniques such as building-up color and blending. Continue your studies on day two by drawing, creating and modifying greens, using grisaille techniques for shading and forms. Complete your three-day study by adding a flower or seasonal fruit from the Filoli garden and practice finishing techniques like burnishing and clean-up.
Fee: $235 for members; $330 for non-members.
Drawing Autumn Leaves in Colored Pencil
Thursday, October 14, 9:30 am–3:30 pm
Instructor: Nina Antze
Autumn leaves are the perfect subjects for learning and exploring colored pencil techniques. Their unique colors provide the opportunity to practice mixing and layering color. Learn to create rich reds, browns and purples. Explore a variety of colored pencil techniques including burnishing and impressed line. You will focus on a variety of local leaves and their shapes and structure. Leaves will be provided or you may bring your own.
Fee: $80 members; $95 non-members.
Drawing skills are essential to botanical art.
Drawing Plants in Perspective I
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: Lee McCaffree
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 sessions 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. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program are given homework assignments in each session.
Fee: $235 for members; $280 for non-members
- Prerequisite: none
- Certificate Program hours of credit: 15
- Materials List
Students hone their drawing skills.
Drawing Plants in Perspective II
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: Catherine M. Watters
This class will further develop your observation and drawing skills. A continuation of Drawing Plants in Perspective I, this course is for students who wish to receive more in-depth drawing instruction. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program will be given homework assignments.
Fee: $160 for members; $190 for non-members
Anenomes on vellum by Martha Kemp.
Graphite Pencil I
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: Martha Kemp
From crisp details to flawless continuous tone, it's all about control. This workshop will explore the use of a lead holder and 2mm lead (actually, graphite) for exercises in rendering the texture, details and volume of leaves, flowers and everyday specimens from the grocery store’s produce department. It's almost like sculpting on paper.
Fee: $275 for members; $390 for non-members.
History of Botanical Art
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: To be announced.
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 by focusing on an original collection of prints, slides and other media covering 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.
Fee: $60 for members; $75 for non-members
- Prerequisite: none
- Certificate Program hours of credit: 4
Pinus Silvestri by Lee McCaffree.
Holiday Card Subjects
Thursday, October 28 and Friday, October 29, 9:30 am–3:30 pm
Instructor: Lee McCaffree.
Paint holiday card subjects that you can use to make your own personalized greeting cards and other gift items. You will have a variety of seasonal plants to choose from including a variety of seasonal colored berries, cones, holly and evergreens. All levels of experience welcome.
Fee: $160 for members; $190 for non-members
Crocus by Catherine M. Watters
Introduction to Botanical Art
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: Lee McCaffree
Have you admired botanical art but questioned whether you could do it? If so, this is just the class for you. This two day hands-on workshop introduces traditional botanical art skills such as plant observation, drawing, color mixing and watercolor painting using leaves, flowers and fruit as models. No previous art experience is needed.
Fee: $200 for members; $240 for non-members. Fee includes all materials.
Labeling, Matting and Framing
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: To be announced
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: $45 for members; $55 for non-members
- Prerequisite: none
- Certificate Program hours of credit: 3
Strawberries on Vellum by Catherine M. Watters.
Painting on Vellum
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructors: Catherine M. Watters
Botanical artists have been painting on vellum for centuries. The luminous quality of their paintings is amazing. Take a step-by-step approach to working on this wonderful material that focuses on dry brush painting.
Fee: $180 for members; $215 for non-members
- Prerequisite: watercolor skills
- Certificate Program hours of credit: 10
- Materials List
Painting with Purple
Tuesday, October 19 through Thursday, October 21, 9:30 am–3:30 pm
Instructors: Margaret Best
This class is a practical exploration of the color purple and its importance to the botanical artist’s palette. Not only will Margaret be demonstrating the many ways in which this invaluable color can be used to add vitality to both highlight and shadow areas of your painting, she will also assist you in creating the most intense purples possible using lightfast, transparent paints. This class will include important technical exercises both creating the color purple and mixing other colors with purple pigment. Apply your new found knowledge to the painting of grapes from Filoli’s heritage orchard.
Fee: $350 for members; $420 for non-members
- Prerequisite: some botanical art and watercolor experience
- Certificate Program hours of credit: 12
- Materials List
- register
Ficus Semivestia by Bruce Wilson.
Pen and Ink
Thursday, September 9 through Saturday, September 11, 9:30 am–3:30 pm.
Instructor: Bruce Wilson
The basics of pen-and-ink techniques are taught through an engaging curriculum of lectures, demonstrations and hands-on exercises. Begin your studies with a historical overview of pen and ink followed by a demonstration of the basic techniques and creation of a tone scale with stippling technique and line drawing. Continue your studies on day two through technique exercises, including hatch and crosshatch, while illustrating a leaf using these techniques. On day three you will learn texture techniques while selecting a variety of textured subjects and making 3 small drawings.
Fee: $325 for members; $390 for non-members
Portfolio: Presenting Your Artwork
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: To be announced
How you present yourself and your artwork is very important. This class includes instruction on how to write a biography, a resume 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: $45 for members; $55 for non-members
- Prerequisite: none
- Certificate Program hours of credit: 3
Citrus limon by Catherine M. Watters.
Textures, Patterns and Details
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: Catherine M. Watters
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. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program are given homework assignments in each sessopm.
Fee: $235 for members; $280 for non-members
Indian Corn by Catherine M. Watters.
Vegetables
Thursday, October 7 and Friday, October 8, 9:30 am–3:30 pm
Instructor: Catherine M. Watters
The vegetable garden is full of inspiration! Learn how to accurately draw and paint vegetables, concentrating on color and texture, such as the smooth purple skin of an eggplant to the pillowy texture and rich color of a chard leaf. Reach beyond flowers, there’s a world of exquisite vegetable subjects waiting to be painted!
Fee: $160 for members; $190 for non-members.
Students begin exploring watercolor techniques.
Watercolor I
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: Lee McCaffree
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. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program are given homework assignments in each session.
Fee: $235 for members; $280 for non-members
Red Ruffle Azalea by Lee McCaffree.
Watercolor II
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Instructor: Lee McCaffree
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. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program are given homework assignments in each session.
Fee: $235 for members; $280 for non-members
Primula by Lee McCaffree
Watercolor III
Saturday, October 9, 9:00 am–3:30 pm,
Saturdays, October 16 through 30, 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Instructor: Lee McCaffree
This advanced class continues the development of watercolor skills while focusing on painting complex forms. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program are given homework assignments in each session.
Fee: $235 for members; $280 for non-members
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 coursework (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 under the class description.
Certificate Program enrollment includes a student handbook and course material binder, classroom materials and handouts and instructor consultation time (up to four hours annually).
Class materials lists are available upon registration or can be downloaded in advance under the course description.
The primary instructors and curriculum developers are Lee McCaffree and Catherine M. Watters. Biographies for all instructors are available either by clicking an instructor’s name or clicking on Instructor Biographies.
Required Courses:
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Elective Courses:
2011 class dates will be available on Monday, October 4.
Classes that are currently available:
Classes offered earlier this year:
- Orchids
- Painting on Vellum
- Roses
- Succulents
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