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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
Join artist Sarah Thornington to make your own marine-debris creations at the Center for Coastal Studies, Larking Hall, 5 Holway Avenue in Provincetown.
Learn a little about sea jellies and/or North Atlantic right whales, climate change and ways you can help protect this beautiful planet of ours while creating your own piece of marine-debris art.
These FREE programs are thanks to generous support from the Provincetown Cultural Council, Mass Cultural Council and the Center for Coastal Studies. No experience necessary and all supplies will be provided – though feel free to bring your own beach finds if you’d like.
Wednesday, March 12th 5:30 – 7:30pm, North Atlantic right whales
Wednesday, March 26th, 5:30-7:30pm, sea jellies
Limited spaces available, sign-ups are required by emailing Sarah at EbbtheTide@gmail.com. Be sure to include your cell number and which program(s) you’d like to sign up for.
Whether or not you decide to pursue botanical art as a business, knowing standard practices will be useful. Over the course of this New York Botanic Garden online class, you’ll learn the basics of dealing with galleries and artists’ reps, including; pricing, contracts and sales agreements, how/when to sell certain rights, how to market your work (best options for promotional printing such as business cards, exhibition postcards, booklets will be covered) and how to develop and license products. To round out the concepts, you’ll learn how to prepare for an exhibition or develop your own one-person show. Carol Woodin will lead. Waitlist available. Click HERE to add your name.
