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 2 begin from 21 April 2026. The starting dates for each of our classes are set out on the links below.
Term 2 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 enrol in a class.
Enrolments / Bookings
The way in which you can enrol for any of our 2026 Term 2 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 2.
Priority Bookings – for continuing students
Priority bookings can be made before 23 March by those students who have most recently completed a term of art classes with us and who now wish to make a booking for a class of the same level in Term 2. Priority bookings can be made online, using the links below. Where a priority booking is made before 23 March, the continuing student’s booking will have priority over other prospective students who are not continuing students.
Note: If you were entitled 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 were not enrolled in a 2026 Term 1 art class with us, and who are not entitled to make a priority booking with us, you will need to make a non-priority booking. Non-priority bookings open on 23 March 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 2 2026
Monday Classes
Mon 1.30pm – 4pm with David Reynolds
This class will be presented each week Face to Face at Domain House and is an ongoing beginners – intermediate level.
Tuesday Classes
BOTANICAL DRAWING WITH GRAPHITE
Tues 2pm – 4.30pm with Amanda Ahmed
This face-to-face class at Domain House is suitable for beginner to intermediate students.
During the term, students will complete a range of exercises in graphite and produce at least one fully rendered drawing in graphite. Subjects will be seasonally inspired, such as fruit, vegetables, or plants with interesting forms and textures.
Tues 6pm – 8pm with David Reynolds (Online)
This class will be presented each week Online via Zoom and is an ongoing beginners – intermediate level.
BOTANICAL DRAWING WITH COLOURED PENCIL
Tues 6pm – 8.30pm with Amanda Ahmed
This face-to-face class at Domain House is suitable for beginners.
During the term, students will complete a series of coloured pencil exercises and create at least one fully rendered drawing. Subjects will be seasonally inspired such as fruit, vegetables or plants with striking shapes and colours.
Wednesday Classes
BOTANICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY PAINTING AND DRAWING
Wed 10:30am – 1pm with Dianne Emery
This class will be presented each week Face to Face Class and is an intermediate/advanced level.
Students will develop confidence and accuracy in drawing and painting from life. Their skills of accurate observation and rendering different surfaces will be enhanced. Using tools such as constructive drawing and understanding light effects they will be able to improve the illusions of forms in space, as well as creating interesting compositions relevant to their subjects.
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE CLASS IN WATERCOLOUR
Wed 1.30pm – 4pm with Jessie Ford
This class will be presented each week Face to Face Class and is a beginners/intermediate level.
This class will provide how to render realistic drawings and watercolour paintings. The term will be divided between two different and simple subjects with plenty of demonstrations and one on one feedback.
BEGINNER CLASS IN WATERCOLOUR
Wed 6pm – 8.30pm with Jessie Ford
This class will be presented each week Face to Face Class and is a beginners level.
This class will provide how to render realistic drawings and watercolour paintings. The term will be divided between two different and simple subjects with plenty of demonstrations and one on one feedback.
Rosehips
Wed 6pm – 8pm with John Pastoriza-Piñol
This class will be presented each week Online via Zoom and is an advanced level.
The tutor will assist with composition, painting techniques, colour theory, which will be
offered in class and assigned for homework. Students who enrol in this course should be at an
intermediate to advanced level.
Thursday Classes (23rd, 30th April & 7th May)
Pen & ink botanic artwork
Thurs 23rd, 30th April & 7th May 10am – 4pm with Craig Lidgerwood
This class will be presented Face to Face on the 23rd April, 30th April and the 7th May from 10am – 4pm at Domain House and is an intermediate level.
In these sessions we will highlight the features of our botanical subject to clearly identify our chosen specimen by simply using a single pen on paper. Often this enables a very clear and concise illustration to be achieved.
Participants will learn the skills to develop a pen & ink 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
Fri 10:30am – 1:30pm with Dianne Emery
This class will be presented each week Face to Face Class and is an advanced level.
Students will develop confidence and accuracy in drawing and painting from life. Their skills of accurate observation and rendering different surfaces will be enhanced. Using tools such as constructive drawing and understanding light effects they will be able to improve the illusions of forms in space, as well as creating
interesting compositions relevant to their subjects.
Class Prices
Classes vary in price. Please consult the enrol here page.
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).