Botanical drawing and painting: refine your skills and techniques
Course Overview
This course is designed for learners with some prior experience in drawing or painting who wish to deepen their botanical practice and develop a confident, refined visual language.
Through guided sessions, demonstrations, and individual feedback, you will explore both traditional and contemporary approaches to botanical art, focusing on observation, precision, and expressive mark-making.
Rooted in close study of natural forms, the course encourages you to look carefully and translate the complexity of plants into resolved artworks. Whether your interest lies in scientific accuracy, decorative composition, or personal expression, you will strengthen your technical skills while developing your own creative style.
Location: Crowndale Road, Camden
Who is this course for and what will I learn?
This course is ideal for learners who already have some basic drawing or painting experience and would like to develop their botanical practice further.
It suits artists, designers, and nature enthusiasts who enjoy close observation and detail. Whether you are interested in scientific illustration, decorative work, or expressive plant studies, the course supports a wide range of interests in a welcoming studio environment. You don’t need prior botanical knowledge, but a willingness to observe carefully and work with patience and attention to detail is important.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Refine your observational drawing and painting skills through the study of plant forms, developing greater accuracy, control, and sensitivity
- Use tonal drawing techniques to describe form and depth effectively
- Mix and apply colour with confidence, using layering techniques to build richness and subtlety
- Work across a range of media, including graphite, ink, and watercolour
- Develop confidence in your personal style and artistic approach
It suits artists, designers, and nature enthusiasts who enjoy close observation and detail. Whether you are interested in scientific illustration, decorative work, or expressive plant studies, the course supports a wide range of interests in a welcoming studio environment. You don’t need prior botanical knowledge, but a willingness to observe carefully and work with patience and attention to detail is important.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Refine your observational drawing and painting skills through the study of plant forms, developing greater accuracy, control, and sensitivity
- Use tonal drawing techniques to describe form and depth effectively
- Mix and apply colour with confidence, using layering techniques to build richness and subtlety
- Work across a range of media, including graphite, ink, and watercolour
- Develop confidence in your personal style and artistic approach
How will I learn?
You will learn through studio-based sessions that focus on sustained projects and deeper exploration of practice. Teaching is informed by contemporary artists and the tutor’s expertise, with demonstrations, presentations and critical discussion supporting your development.
Sessions are designed to challenge and extend your skills, encouraging experimentation and independent thinking. You will receive one-to-one feedback, take part in group critiques and peer discussion, and reflect on your work regularly to support progression.
As the course develops, you will have increasing time to focus on your own personal project, allowing you to consolidate your ideas and techniques into a more self-directed body of work.
This course takes place in a dedicated art studio at WM College in Camden, London.
You will have access to:
- A large studio suitable for ambitious painting and experimentation
- Shared equipment and specialist teaching resources
- A supportive and collaborative studio environment
- Small class sizes - up to 14 learners
You may wish to bring your own materials to support a more individual approach to your work. Your tutor will advise on suitable materials and recommend options based on your developing practice.
Sessions are designed to challenge and extend your skills, encouraging experimentation and independent thinking. You will receive one-to-one feedback, take part in group critiques and peer discussion, and reflect on your work regularly to support progression.
As the course develops, you will have increasing time to focus on your own personal project, allowing you to consolidate your ideas and techniques into a more self-directed body of work.
This course takes place in a dedicated art studio at WM College in Camden, London.
You will have access to:
- A large studio suitable for ambitious painting and experimentation
- Shared equipment and specialist teaching resources
- A supportive and collaborative studio environment
- Small class sizes - up to 14 learners
You may wish to bring your own materials to support a more individual approach to your work. Your tutor will advise on suitable materials and recommend options based on your developing practice.
Assessment and next steps
Assessment is informal, reflective, and embedded throughout this more advanced, studio-based course.
You will be supported to take increasing ownership of your practice, developing a more independent and self-directed approach, with no formal exams.
Ongoing feedback is provided by your tutor, with progress reviewed through your practical work, critical discussion and project development. Individual learning plans will support you in setting and refining personal goals, identifying areas for development, and tracking your progression over time.
Sessions combine demonstrations, presentations and group critique with extended periods of studio practice.
There is an emphasis on critical reflection, supporting you to articulate your ideas and position your work within a wider context.
You will also receive regular one-to-one tutorials to support your individual direction.
By the end of the course, you will have developed greater confidence and fluency in your chosen materials and processes, deepened your understanding of techniques, and produced a more resolved and cohesive body of work.
You will also strengthen your ability to discuss, evaluate and present your work, supporting the development of a clearer creative direction. Opportunities to engage with the wider art context, such as gallery visits or exhibiting and selling work within the college, may be incorporated.
While there is no required work outside of taught sessions, you are encouraged to extend your practice independently to support your development.
Many learners continue across multiple terms to deepen and sustain their practice. You may progress within the programme, move into more specialised courses, or develop an independent body of work with ongoing tutor support. For more information, visit our website or contact the Curriculum Manager at ArtsSchool@wmcollege.ac.uk.
You will be supported to take increasing ownership of your practice, developing a more independent and self-directed approach, with no formal exams.
Ongoing feedback is provided by your tutor, with progress reviewed through your practical work, critical discussion and project development. Individual learning plans will support you in setting and refining personal goals, identifying areas for development, and tracking your progression over time.
Sessions combine demonstrations, presentations and group critique with extended periods of studio practice.
There is an emphasis on critical reflection, supporting you to articulate your ideas and position your work within a wider context.
You will also receive regular one-to-one tutorials to support your individual direction.
By the end of the course, you will have developed greater confidence and fluency in your chosen materials and processes, deepened your understanding of techniques, and produced a more resolved and cohesive body of work.
You will also strengthen your ability to discuss, evaluate and present your work, supporting the development of a clearer creative direction. Opportunities to engage with the wider art context, such as gallery visits or exhibiting and selling work within the college, may be incorporated.
While there is no required work outside of taught sessions, you are encouraged to extend your practice independently to support your development.
Many learners continue across multiple terms to deepen and sustain their practice. You may progress within the programme, move into more specialised courses, or develop an independent body of work with ongoing tutor support. For more information, visit our website or contact the Curriculum Manager at ArtsSchool@wmcollege.ac.uk.
What additional support can I get?
You may be eligible for fee reductions or one of our bursaries, please check the Information and Advice section of our website to find out more.
Teachers are supported to ensure their materials are inclusive to meet learners’ needs. Provision of assistive equipment is available and access support can be provided through reasonable adjustments, subject to an interview with the ALS team and/or the Disability Officer. Digital Learning support is available in the Learning Centre.
We offer free support with finding a job, including 1-1 support with job applications, creating a CV or improving your interview skills, as well as advice about progression opportunities. Visit the website for more information or to book an appointment with our Employability Coach.
There are regular cross-college events, external speaker visits, exhibitions, and opportunities for you to get involved in college life. Look out for adverts around the college, iLearn or sign up to Our Newsletter via the website.
Teachers are supported to ensure their materials are inclusive to meet learners’ needs. Provision of assistive equipment is available and access support can be provided through reasonable adjustments, subject to an interview with the ALS team and/or the Disability Officer. Digital Learning support is available in the Learning Centre.
We offer free support with finding a job, including 1-1 support with job applications, creating a CV or improving your interview skills, as well as advice about progression opportunities. Visit the website for more information or to book an appointment with our Employability Coach.
There are regular cross-college events, external speaker visits, exhibitions, and opportunities for you to get involved in college life. Look out for adverts around the college, iLearn or sign up to Our Newsletter via the website.
Tutor Profiles
Sisetta Zappone is an artist, printmaker and educator with over a decade of international experience. Trained in Florence, she teaches at WM College (since 2021) and collaborates with London Drawing and City Lit. Her work is held in public collections including the National Print Collections of Italy and Morocco, and the Anatomy Museum in Pisa.
TEACHING AND LEARNER SUPPORT
She teaches drawing and watercolour at all levels, alongside botanical art and printmaking. Her engaging, hands-on approach builds confidence, technical proficiency, and creative independence. Learners develop a personal visual language, strengthen portfolios for further study or careers, and gain insight into diverse, inclusive art histories.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND CREDENTIALS
- MA in Printmaking, The Bisonte International School of Graphic Art, Florence
- Trained at the Florence Academy of Fine Arts
- Work held in public collections (Italy, Morocco, Pisa Anatomy Museum)
- International exhibitions across Europe, North Africa, and Mexico
- Artist residencies in Mexico and Morocco
PROFESSIONAL LINKS
https://sisettazappone.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sisetta.zappone/?
instagram: sisettazappone_artutor
TEACHING AND LEARNER SUPPORT
She teaches drawing and watercolour at all levels, alongside botanical art and printmaking. Her engaging, hands-on approach builds confidence, technical proficiency, and creative independence. Learners develop a personal visual language, strengthen portfolios for further study or careers, and gain insight into diverse, inclusive art histories.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND CREDENTIALS
- MA in Printmaking, The Bisonte International School of Graphic Art, Florence
- Trained at the Florence Academy of Fine Arts
- Work held in public collections (Italy, Morocco, Pisa Anatomy Museum)
- International exhibitions across Europe, North Africa, and Mexico
- Artist residencies in Mexico and Morocco
PROFESSIONAL LINKS
https://sisettazappone.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sisetta.zappone/?
instagram: sisettazappone_artutor
Related Courses
.jpg)
