Skip to content

Botanical Drawing and Illustration for 15 - 17 Year Olds

  • Level(s) of Study: Short course
  • Course Fee:

    £525

  • Start Date(s): 4 August 2025
  • Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
  • Study Mode(s): Part-time
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements: More information
Book now

Introduction:

Course dates:

4 - 8 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm

Discover the art of nature through botanical drawing and illustration, unleash your creativity and explore the fascinating world of plants in this fun, hands-on short course where artistic expression meets scientific observation.

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or already enjoy sketching, you’ll learn new skills and develop your unique artistic style.

  • You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas.
  • With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work.
  • Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices.
  • On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.

Doing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award?

This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential Award and is an amazing opportunity to make new friends and memories. It will be fun and gently challenging, allowing you to follow your passion and discover talents you never knew you had.

DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.

You must also attend the social events that are planned on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and you must plan and attend your own social activities with other participants on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

What you’ll study

You will begin by exploring the fundamentals of botanical drawing through close observation of plants and flowers. Using sketchbooks, you’ll create detailed studies inspired by flora in your surroundings, learning how to capture their intricate shapes, textures, and colours.

Alongside your artistic practice, you’ll delve into the science of botany, gaining insights into plant structures, growth patterns, and habitats. You’ll also consider environmental challenges affecting plant life globally and in the UK, which will inspire your creative work, giving it a meaningful connection to current global and environmental issues.

Practical, hands-on sessions will allow you time to develop your sketches and botanical drawings and illustrations. You’ll participate in outdoor activities where you’ll observe and sketch plants in their natural environments, sharpening your observational and creative skills. In the studio, you’ll refine these drawings, turning them into polished illustrations while experimenting with colour and composition.

Group discussions and critiques will provide valuable opportunities to share ideas, receive feedback, and connect with other like-minded young artists.

During this course you will:

  • observe plants and flowers closely and translate their unique details into sketches
  • experiment with a variety of artistic techniques, such as watercolor, pen-and-ink, and mixed media
  • gain confidence in both traditional and modern approaches to botanical illustration
  • discuss and reflect on the environmental and scientific importance of your subject matter
  • receive feedback and guidance from your tutor to help develop your personal style.

In addition, you’ll discover the range of careers where botanical illustration is essential. From scientific research and conservation projects to book publishing, landscape design, and textile arts, the course will introduce you to exciting future possibilities.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a portfolio of original botanical illustrations that showcase your artistic growth and passion for the natural world.

You will have developed a deeper appreciation for the connection between art, science, and environmental awareness, empowering you to approach your creative practice with both skill and purpose.

Social events

We appoint NTU Student Ambassadors who host social events on Monday and Wednesday evening to help you make friends across the whole of our summer school programme for 15 – 17 year olds, which are free to attend.

Here's an overview of what you'll cover on your course:

Begin with observational drawing exercises using pencil and fine liners to capture basic plant forms. This session also includes an introduction to plant anatomy, emphasising the importance of detail and accuracy in botanical art.

Learn how to use shading and textural techniques to add depth and dimension to your sketches. You’ll study leaves, stems, and flowers in detail, incorporating hatching and cross-hatching methods to depict their intricate textures.

Discover how to apply watercolour techniques to your drawings. You’ll experiment with layering, blending, and mixing colours to reflect the natural hues of plants. The session will also include insights into endangered plant species in the UK and their conservation.

Use your artistic skills to illustrate a plant or flower of personal significance, considering its environmental and ecological context. This session includes a group discussion on the impacts of climate change on local and global flora, inspiring reflection in your work.

Bring together the techniques learned throughout the course to complete a detailed botanical illustration. You’ll receive personalised feedback from your tutor and participate in a group critique, preparing your final work for inclusion in your portfolio.

How you’re taught

This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University's City Campus.

Contact hours

You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.

'
'

Tutor profile:

Dawn Wright has been teaching botanical art for the past 15 years.

She’s a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists, a member of the Eden Project Florilegium, Northamptonshire Botanical Artists’ Society and the American Society of Botanical Artists.

Dawn exhibits regularly around the UK and has had work hung in the prestigious Mall Galleries in London and at the RHS Botanical Art Show, and her work is also held in private collections.

She is a Botanical Art Champion for the Association of British Botanical Artists.

Dawn says “I enjoy recreating the colours which the changing seasons bring us, relishing in the challenge of capturing light and drama, encouraging us to stand still for a moment whilst we look, look and look again at the natural world. Dramatic colour and compositions don’t have to be big and blousey; a newly-sprouting bud of blossom about to open, the promise of new beginnings, or the changing colours of a leaf just before it falls from the tree – all have a story to tell, waiting to be interpreted by the botanical artist.”

You can view Dawn’s work here.

Careers and employability

The course is designed to give you a real experience of university life, make new friends who share similar interests and develop your portfolio so that ultimately, you can make an informed decision about your future.

It will equip you with practical skills in drawing and painting, encourage your creativity, and broaden your understanding of how art connects with science and environmental issues. Whether you’re considering future studies or careers in fields like botanical illustration, scientific research, conservation, publishing, or design, this course provides an excellent foundation.

On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.

Campus and facilities

You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.

You'll find bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.

You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Entry requirements

Level: Beginner

Entry requirement: No previous drawing experience is necessary. You should have an interest in art and the natural world.

You must be 15, 16 or 17 years old at the time of the course in order to attend.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £525.

Payment is due at the time of booking.

Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.

Please bring with you to the first day:

  • A3 sketchbook - the paper should be as white and smooth as possible. The ideal sketchbook would be Daler Rowney Ebony sketchbook.
  • Graphite pencils, such as Faber Castell 9000 or Staedtler Lumograph, grades 4H, 2H, F or HB, B, 2B.

Read our booking terms and conditions.

Need accommodation?

Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.

These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation.

If you're aged 16 or 17 then you can stay unaccompanied with agreement from a parent/guardian (to support safeguarding, all guests aged 16 and 17 will be accommodated together in the same halls of residence and there is a dedicated Warden available).

If you're aged 15 then you can stay as long as you are accompanied by a parent/guardian (you must book two separate rooms and let us know so we can place you in rooms next to each other).

This option is particularly popular with students completing their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award.

Find out more and book your accommodation here.

Looking to turn your one-week course into a two-week experience?

If you can match this with any second course, you’ll receive a 10% refund on your course fees (email the short course team with your order number to claim the refund).

How to apply

You can book this course via the NTU online store:

4 - 8 August 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm

Browse all our summer courses for 15 – 17 year olds.

Any questions?

Contact the short course team:

More from School of Art & Design

See more courses

You may also be interested in:

Art Portfolio for 15 - 17 Year Olds

This is a very practical course which gives you the opportunity to experiment with both 2D and 3D art techniques. It’s the perfect way to build your portfolio if you do not have an art foundation and are thinking about further studies.

Find out more

Concept Art for Game Design for 15 - 17 Year Olds

This course focuses on the process of image-making in the game design industry. It's hands-on, taught in a series of practical workshops and group sessions. This course is ideal if you are considering a future in game design, animation or creative media.

Find out more

Screen Printing and Zine Making for 15 – 17 Year Olds

Master screen printing, bookbinding, and zine-making! Create bold prints, develop storytelling skills, and design a unique, hand-bound zine to showcase your creativity.

Find out more