10am to 4pm

The course

The museum cottage gardens are the focus for this 2 day workshop, where you will discover the immense variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers typical of the Stuart, Georgian and Victorian periods. Using your choice of plant material, produce realistic botanical illustrations with precision and accuracy, just like the botanical art masters of the time. The course is suitable for all abilities and allows you the opportunity to work at your own pace with help and guidance from your tutor.

The tutor

Leigh Ann Gale is a professional botanical artist and diploma graduate of the English Gardening School, Chelsea Physic Garden. She is an RHS group medallist, Fellow of the Hampton Court Palace Florilegium Society and member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Her work is included in the Royal Archives and featured in the permanent collection of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Pittsburgh, USA, plus many private collections in the UK and abroad.

Leigh Ann teaches botanical illustration in Sussex, Surrey and south London, and undertakes commissioned work.

Participant information

The course is limited to 10 participants.

Materials to bring:

Watercolours and/or coloured pencils (including water-soluble if you wish)

Graphite pencils 2H, H, HB

Rags

Putty rubber or good quality eraser

Hot pressed watercolour paper 300g/m2 (140lb)

Tracing paper, scissors, magic tape or low grade adhesive tape

Sable watercolour brushes with good points e.g size 0 and size 3

Cartridge paper for drawing

Fee

£120 per person, to include tuition, teas and coffees. The Museum café will be open or you can bring a packed lunch.

The Museum

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits.  It is also home to the award winning and innovative Downland Gridshell, which houses a conservation workshop and artefact store, and is also used for many practical courses.  The Museum runs a full programme of courses in historic building conservation and traditional rural trades and crafts, along with MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation. Please telephone for further details.

To book, download a form here. Alternatively, fill in the booking request below.