Boston Flora

Tag: art class

  • Friday, June 6, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm – Garden Journaling: Flowering Trees & Shrubs

    Use your journal to capture the delicate beauty of early June at a Hollister House workshop on June 6 from 10 – 3:30. Combining pen and watercolor, we will create impressions of the beautiful flowering trees and shrubs abundant in the Hollister House gardens. We’ll start with a lesson in the barn on journaling tips and techniques, followed by a slow meander through the gardens to observe and note different buds and flowers, adding to our journals along the way. Your instructor will provide plenty of drawing and watercolor tips, both inside the barn and outside in this beautiful garden setting. All skill levels are welcome, and beginners are encouraged to join!

    Bring a bag lunch. Water and snacks provided.

    Required Materials: Journal and pen. You may bring your own or purchase a set for $35 when you register. We suggest a Micron 01 or 02 pen. Please click on the registration page for details and a full list of recommended materials.

    Betsy Rogers-Knox is a botanical artist with a fascination for the full lifecycle of plants and the ecosystems they inhabit. She holds a Certificate in Botanical Illustration from The New York Botanical Garden and her work has been exhibited widely across the U.S. and internationally, including the ASBA International Exhibitions, NYBG Triennials, and the RHS Botanical Art Exhibit in London, where her paintings of Beckley Bog earned the Judges’ Special Award for their educational and ecological value. Betsy’s illustrations are held in the permanent collections of the RHS Lindley Library and the Hunt Institute.

    HHG Members $90, Non-Members $120, Journal and Pen $35. Registration at https://hollisterhousegarden.org/event/garden-journaling-flowering-trees-and-shrubs/

  • Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, June 9, 11 & 12, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Building Color & Form: Spring Flowers in Colored Pencil

    In this three-day Massachusetts Horticultural Society workshop on June 9, 11, & 12 from 10 – 2 with award-winning botanical artist, Alice Rosa, students will learn how to approach botanical subjects using colored pencils. We will begin with observation and drawing, focusing on how to study a plant and translate its structure onto paper. From there, we will work through the process of adding color, studying color layering and building it gradually while paying attention to subtle shifts in tone and hue. The course is designed to be an accessible introduction, allowing students to experiment, slow down, and become familiar with the medium. Some experience with drawing and the basics of botanical art will be helpful, though no prior experience with colored pencil is required.

    Alice Rosa is a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists in London and a Professional Member of the Copley Society of Art in Boston, MA. She graduated with distinction from the Distance Learning Diploma Course of the Society of Botanical Artists. She is a studio artist at the Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA.

    Alice was born and raised in Italy. She has a degree in foreign languages and literature from the University of Verona. She also holds a degree in art conservation from IVBC in Venice, where she specialized in the restoration of polychrome wood sculptures and paintings on panel. She currently lives in Concord, Massachusetts.

    $250 for MHS members, $290 for nonmembers. For complete supply list, and to register, visit https://www.cognitoforms.com/MassachusettsHorticulturalSociety/_26060926BAC143BuildingColorAndFormSpringFlowersInColoredPencil

  • Monday, January 5, Wednesday, January 7, Friday, January 9, & Monday, January 12, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Eastern – A Graphite Adventure: How to Solve Botanical Drawing Problems, Online

    Drawing plants isn’t always easy, especially when you’re faced with foreshortened petals, tricky tonal values, or overlapping shapes. In this four-session Massachusetts Horticultural Society online class in January, 2026, Carol Ann Morley will explore numerous ways to approach these visual problems and how to solve them with confidence. Learn how to build spatial depth and show space using techniques like atmospheric perspective. With step-by-step guidance, you’ll gain skills to simplify what you see and conquer the curves of a curled leaf, the surface pattern of a gourd, or the layered shapes of a flower.. Register at https://www.masshort.org/upcoming-classes

  • Saturday, November 1 – Saturday, November 22, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – Rendering

    Bring your garden designs to life through rendering — a vital drawing skill that adds depth, detail and visual impact to your work. This four-week Berkshire Botanical Garden hands-on course, on Saturdays, Nov. 1 to 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is ideal for garden designers ready to move beyond basic drafting. Taught by Tom Smith of Springfield Technical Community College, the class focuses on developing lifelike visual representations that help communicate design concepts clearly and persuasively. With the class structured as a studio workshop, students will explore the artistic side of landscape design using B-range pencils and techniques like illustrative rendering, including sections, elevations, and plan obliques. Whether you’re a budding designer or a creative gardener, this class will sharpen your visual communication skills. Completion of Drafting for Garden Design or equivalent coursework is a prerequisite. BBG members $215, nonmembers $240. Register at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/rendering-0

  • Mondays, September 29 – November 3, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Foundations of Botanical Drawing and Painting, Online & In-Person

    Through demonstrations and tutorials, celebrate the colors of seasonal leaves while learning how to realistically depict your subject matter in pencil, and then in watercolor, with Sarah Roche, on six Mondays, September 29 – November 3, from 10 – 1, online except for two classes which will be held at the Putnam classroom at The Gardens at Elm Bank. All abilities are welcome! The winter topic: Fall topic: Orchids in Watercolor. In fall, we will be studying the Phalaenopsis orchid. With a limited palette and simple techniques, we will work together, step by step, to capture their exotic and vibrant beauty. Using live plant specimens, Sarah will lead you through the processes of accurate drawing and painting in watercolor. Members $385, nonmembers $460. Register at www.masshort.org


  • Tuesday, September 16 & Thursday, September 18, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm Eastern – Birds, Bugs & Botanicals, Online

    In this two-day online Massachusetts Horticultural Society class with Tara Connaughton, we’ll draw and paint birds & bugs with botanical subjects using ink and colorful washes of watercolor. We’ll focus on gathering and using different references, drawing techniques, as well as composition methods for using various references to incorporate flowers, branches and other botanical elements into our illustrations. Class lessons will also include different ways to use ink with watercolor, painting and color mixing techniques, and inspiration for creating beautiful ink and wash illustrations that are full of life. The class takes place September 16 and 19 from 9:30 – 1:30 Eastern.

    Tara Connaughton is an artist and art instructor living on the coast south of Boston, MA (where she finds much of her inspiration). She is a graduate of the Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration Program at Wellesley College Botanic Gardens. Her botanical and nature-inspired paintings have earned multiple awards, and she has exhibited her work through local and regional galleries and venues. She uses her passion for painting and love of nature to inspire others to create and connect with the world around them. MHS members $145, nonmembers $180. Register HERE

  • Saturday, August 23, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm – Burnt & Inked: All-Day Fiery Printmaking Workshop

    Step into the flames literally and explore the full creative process behind dramatic botanical prints. In this immersive, full-day New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill workshop on August 23, learn to safely scorch your own wood tree plate using fire, carve into the charred surface and hand-print bold, layered works of art. With over a decade of experience in botanical research, education, and garden management, Alyson brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to NEBG and the Education Team.

    In her role as Manager of Adult Education, instructor Alyson Prokop is passionate about advancing plant sciences learning and biodiversity through inclusive initiatives at botanical gardens. Her dedication to promoting botanical education is evident in her previous work at Royal Botanical Gardens Canada, where she coordinated workshops, tours, and community programming with a strong focus on food security issues.

    Alyson’s background includes formal training in plant sciences and economic botany, holding a BSc in Plant Biology and graduate studies for a MSc in Plant Pathology from the University of Guelph. Her career path has led her to managerial and curatorial roles, particularly in collections management and education.

    Beyond her professional pursuits, Alyson is also an accomplished artist and printmaker. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, she channels her creativity into illustrating colorful and vibrant botanical sci-fi art. Her work, influenced by old sci-fi movies from the Golden Age of Film, showcases a unique blend of mid-century retro-futuristic style.

    $110 Members Adult | $132 Non-Member Adult (includes admission to the Garden) Register HERE.

  • Monday, August 25, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Pen and Ink Techniques

    Pen and ink is a versatile drawing medium offering a rich black-and-white expressive language for illustration. In this one-day Massachusetts Horticultural Society class on August 25, you will find out how to hold the pens to make different strokes and tips and strategies to control ink flow, prevent ink blobs, and correct mistakes. We will work with the crow-quill metal dip pen with India ink and the Pigma micron pen. Instructed by Carol Ann Morley. $120 for Mass Hort members, $150 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.masshort.org/upcoming-classes

  • Saturday, July 5, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Lichen Moss-Scapes

    Lichens and mosses are an important part of forest ecosystems and create beautiful patterns that have inspired artists. They also play a key role in soil formation, paving the way for new plant growth. Delve into forest habitats as you create lichen and moss paintings on canvas. This Drop-In Art Activity will take place at the Peabody Essex Museum in Create Space 2 on Saturday, July 5 from 1 – 3 and is free with admission. For more information visit www.pem.org

  • Wednesday, May 14, 9:30 am – 11:30 am Eastern – Landscape Sketching, Online

    Landscapes are a wonderful subject for drawings, but it can be difficult to know where to start. In this Harvard Museum of Natural History online workshop on May 14 with artist and educator Rachel Mirus, we’ll discuss how to select a composition, create a sense of depth and volume, and use a variety of marks to capture a dynamic variety of textures in a landscape. We’ll look at examples and have plenty of time for drawing and individualized feedback. The group will be limited to 12 participants, allowing ample time for individual feedback. All skill levels are welcome. This class is for adults. $30 for Harvard Museum members, $35 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/event/landscape-sketching-1