Thank you for your interest in the Friends’ Botanical Art Classes. The Friends have a range of classes available for students of all skill levels from beginner through to advanced.
Our classes for Term 4 begin early October 2026. The starting dates for each of our classes are set out on the links below.
Term 4 offers face to face classes and online classes via Zoom. We have classes available every week day and some evenings, so we hope you are able to find a class at a time and skill level which suits you.
Outlines for each of the offered classes, including the materials list for each class, are provided in the links below. Additionally, you can read all about our tutors to find a teaching style which suits you.
All students are required to be members of the Friends in order to participate in a class.
Enrolments / Bookings
The way in which you can enrol for any of our 2026 Term 4 classes is set out below.
We hope you are able to find a class which meets your needs and we are able to welcome you to one of our classes in Term 4.
Priority Bookings – for continuing students
Priority bookings can be made from 24 August by those students who have completed the same class in the prior term and who now wish to make a booking for the same class in Term 4. Priority bookings must be made by 6 September and can be made online, using the links below, or by phoning the Friends’ office on 9650 6398.
Note: If you were eligible to make a priority booking, but did not do so within the priority period, you can still make an online booking up to one week before the term commences, provided there is availability.
Non-priority Bookings – other students
For students that are not eligible to make a priority booking with us, enrolments will open on 7 September 2026.
In order to make a non-priority booking, you will need to request enrolment by emailing us at botanicart@frbgmelb.org.au or by calling us on 03 9650 6398.
Please note that non-priority bookings cannot be booked with us online (bookings online can only be made by students continuing from the previous term).
New students
If you would like to join one of the Friends’ classes for the first time, please do not hesitate to email us on botanicart@frbgmelb.org.au.
If you have no botanical art experience or have not been part of our botanical art program before, the best place to start your journey is by attending a Friends’ ‘Introduction to Botanical Art Workshop’. Once you have completed this workshop, you will be welcome to join one of our term classes
Classes times and outlines for Term 4 2026
Monday Classes
Botanical Art Class with David Reynolds
Mon 1.30pm – 4pm
Paracaleana nigrita, commonly known as the ‘Flying Duck Orchid’ will be our subject for term 4. This unique Australian Orchid is a delicate subject to paint – we will be enlarging it to show the amazing detail. Students will gain confidence in the application of pigments to a achieve realistic watercolour painting. Students learn in a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere with plenty of open discussion about watercolour techniques, colour theory, materials and how to use them. Practical demonstrations of each technique will be shown each week as we work through our subject. Student learn and practice techniques used to create accurate drawings and progress to a finished watercolour painting.
Tuesday Classes
Botanical Drawing with Graphite with Amanda Ahmed
Tues 2pm – 4.30pm
Please Note the Materials List in the Class Outline
This course is designed for beginner to intermediate students and focuses on observational drawing using graphite pencils to create realistic renderings of botanical subjects. You will explore tone and form; experiment with different mark-making techniques; and learn how basic geometric shapes can be found in nature and translated into your drawings. The class is presented in a friendly, supportive environment and is suitable for beginners, ongoing beginners, or anyone wishing to further develop or revisit their drawing skills.
Online Botanical Art Class with David Reynolds
Tues 6pm – 8pm (Online)
Paracaleana nigrita, commonly known as the ‘Flying Duck Orchid’ will be our subject for term 4. This unique Australian Orchid is a delicate subject to paint – we will be enlarging it to show the amazing detail. Students will gain confidence in the application of pigments to a achieve realistic watercolour painting.
This class will be presented each week online via ZOOM
Students learn in a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere with plenty of open discussion about watercolour techniques, colour theory, materials and how to use them. Practical demonstrations of each technique will be shown each week as we work through our subject. Student learn and practice techniques used to create accurate drawings and progress to a finished watercolour
painting. Many of the techniques used in botanical art, like ‘wet on wet’ and ‘dry brushing’, will be carefully explained and demonstrated giving each student confidence in developing their painting and drawing skills.
Botanical Drawing with Coloured Pencil with Amanda Ahmed
Tues 6pm – 8.30pm
Please Note the Materials List in the Class Outline
This coloured pencil course is designed for beginners to ongoing beginner students. Some basic drawing skills or experience drawing in graphite would be beneficial. The course covers the fundamentals of botanical drawing using coloured pencils, focusing on form, tone, layering techniques, and recognizing basic geometric shapes in nature to incorporate into your drawings. The focus will be on observational drawing to create realistic renderings of botanical subjects. This class is conducted in a friendly and supportive environment. While most of the class time will be dedicated to coloured pencil techniques, there will be some time allocated for warm-up exercises in graphite.
Wednesday Classes
Botanical and Natural History Painting and Drawing with Dianne Emery
Wed 10:30am – 1pm
This class will be presented each week Face to Face Class and is an intermediate/advanced level.
We will continue to develop the painting, drawing and observational skills necessary to create accurate and realistic Botanical and Natural History Art. We will encourage the more experienced students to develop confidence in carrying out their own artistic ideas and projects. Personal one on one discussion, tuition and advice will always be available to all students. Homework will be recommended.
Beginner/Intermediate Class in Watercolour with Jessie Ford
Wed 1.30pm – 4pm
This class will be presented each week Face to Face Class and is a beginners/intermediate level.
In this class Jessie will guide you through her step-by-step
process on how to render realistic drawings and watercolour paintings of botanical subjects. We will create a tonal drawing of our subject to explore structure and form, before moving onto creating the watercolour painting. Depending on the subject, the term might be split into i.e. a fruit for the first half of term and then its leaf for the second half of the term.
Beginner Class in Watercolour with Jessie Ford
Wed 6pm – 8.30pm
This class will be presented each week Face to Face Class and is a beginners level.
In this class Jessie will guide you through her step-by-step
process on how to render realistic drawings and watercolour paintings of botanical subjects. We will create a tonal drawing of our subject to explore structure and form, before moving onto creating the watercolour painting. Depending on the subject, the term might be split into i.e. a fruit for the first half of term and then its leaf for the second half of the term.
Online Botanical Art Class with John Pastoriza-Piñol
Wed 6pm-8pm (Online)
Intermediate to Advanced Botanical Art Class
Explore the delicate beauty and fascinating structure of Aquilegia, commonly known as Columbine, in
this eight-week botanical art course. Working from detailed botanical references, we will explore the
distinctive spurred flowers, delicate foliage and stages of development through observational drawing
and watercolour.
In the guided ZOOM sessions, you will develop your skills in botanical drawing, colour mixing, layering, fine detail and creating form and depth. The project will culminate in a detailed botanical study celebrating the unique character and intricate structure of this beautiful perennial.
Thursday Classes
Botanical Art Class with Craig Lidgerwood
Thurs 10am-4pm
Arisarum in watercolour – painting dark coloured flowers
This beginners/intermediate class will introduce participants to the necessary observation, composition, drawing and painting skills to develop a botanic artwork using a variety of materials and techniques. Participants will be introduced to shading, toning and colour techniques to create a 3-dimensional artwork that is both illustratively realistic and artistic.
Participants will have the skills to identify and develop a botanic artwork with fine attention to detail, and the confidence to develop their own individual style.
Friday Classes
Botanical and Natural History Painting and Drawing with Dianne Emery
Fri 10:30am – 1:30pm
This class will be presented each week Face to Face Class and is an intermediate/advanced level.
We will continue to develop the painting, drawing and obersvational skills necessary to create accurate and realistic Botanical and Naural History Art. Some experimentation with different mediums is always encouraged. We will use Natural History as well as Botanical subjects.We will encourage the more experienced students to develop confidence in carrying out their own artistic ideas and projects. Personal one on one discussion, tuition and advice will always be available to all students. Homework will be recommended.
Class Prices
Classes vary in price. Please click on the relevant ‘enrol here’ link for pricing information.
Beginners’ Botanical Art Pack for Members
The Friends have negotiated a discounted art pack for beginners’ of botanical art with Eckersley’s Art Supplies. The beginners’ art pack is available for purchase online only at Eckersley’s.
Pack includes a range of paper pads(3), pencils(5), ruler, erasers(2), sharpener, brushes(4) and paints(6) at the discounted price of $268.70 inc. GST (Normal retail over $350.00 inc GST).