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 from 7 October 2025. 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 day of the week, night and day, on weekdays and weekends, 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 2025 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 before 15 September 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 4. Priority bookings can be made online, using the links below. Where a priority booking is made before 15 September, 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 2025 Term 3 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 15 September.
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
Monday Classes
Nepenthes ‘Pitcher Plant’
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.
Nepenthes ‘Pitcher Plant’
Tues 6pm – 8pm with David Reynolds
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 develop a series of sketches and studies in their sketchbooks and complete at least one fully rendered drawing in coloured pencil. 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.
OLD FASHIONED & DAVID AUSTIN ROSES
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
A SPRING BULB
Thurs 10am – 4pm with Craig Lidgerwood
This class will be presented every second week Face to Face at Domain House and is an intermediate level.
During this class, we will develop techniques, discuss approaches and begin to understand the materials utilised to create a finished botanic artwork. You will learn fine attention to detail and grow your confidence to further develop your own 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.
Saturday Classes
Nepenthes ‘Pitcher Plant’
Sat 10am – 12pm with David Reynolds
This class will be presented each week Online via Zoom and is an ongoing beginners – intermediate level.
Sunday Classes
A SPRING BULB
Sun 2pm – 4pm with Craig Lidgerwood
This class will be presented each week Online via Zoom and is an intermediate level.
This 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.
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 $244.00 inc. GST (Normal retail over $300.00 inc GST).