Botanical Illustration

Instructor: Carol Schwartz

Date: Friday, January 16, 2026 

Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Ages: 16+

Members: $99

Non-Members: $110

(Registration deadline: January 12)

Description:

Working with a real flower for reference, students will create a watercolor or gouache botanical painting. We'll start with drawing basic shapes, developing the sketch, then participants will practice skills in watercolor painting to create a finished artwork. We’ll practice various watercolor techniques such as wet on wet and wet on dry, blending, and layering. Mixing colors and composition will also be explored.

Materials:

Provided by participants: Princeton Velvetouch Brushes, Round, Series 3950, 1 ea. size -

• #2 Brush ($8.05) link to purchase

• #6 Brush ($8.05) link to purchase

Instructor Bio:

Carol Schwartz is inspired by nature, as an observer and as an artist. This is evident in her 60 picture books, largely nonfiction, about nature. Her work has also been seen in countless magazines and publications for companies such as Procter & Gamble, National Geographic Society, and The Washington Post.

Carol holds an MFA in Illustration from the University of Hartford and a BFA earned at the Kansas City Art institute and Rhode Island School of Design. Her work has been selected for exhibitions throughout the United States, including The Society of Illustrators in New York and Focus on Nature XIV and XV. She has been an artist-in-residence at the Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, Maine multiple times. She has taught at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Rhode Island School of Design, Eastern Connecticut State University, New England College and is currently an Assistant Professor of Illustration at the Hartford Art School.

Instructor's Website: https://www.csillustration.com

All workshops are held at the Five Points Arts Center, 855 University Drive

Workshops may be cancelled due to low enrollment if a minimum number of participants are not met. Registrants will be notified in advance and a refund or credit will be arranged (see workshop polices below for details).

Workshop Policies: Please review the terms of our workshop policies here