Date
12-02-2026 - 26-03-2026 - 7 lesson; Thursday, 18:00 - 20:00
Location
Parnassos Cultural Center, Utrecht

Beschrijving
Are you fascinated by botanical gardens, unique plants, or even a single leaf you find along the way? Do you have a soft spot for botanical illustrations? You can learn it yourself! In this course, you will learn botanical drawing and botanical art, both from observation and imagination.

We draw inspiration from classical botanical illustrations as well as imaginative gardens, such as the Classical Gardens of Suzhou. You’ll learn how to draw shapes, proportions, and line contrasts, but also how to translate sensory impressions like scent and color into visual stories. This course is all about visualizing the botanical world we want to live in. We’ll experiment with techniques for creating botanical drawings using pencil, fine-liner, and drawing pen, and we’ll also work with colorful (dried) botanical materials.

Through short exercises, you will build confidence in your drawing. In addition, you will create a detailed botanical illustration. You’ll go home with a collection of sketches, experiments, and a unique botanical creation to display at home!

What you’ll learn:

- Botanical drawing from observation and imagination
- Line contrasts, proportions, shading, and composition
- Working with color and layering in botanical art
- Experimenting with various materials and techniques
- Using storytelling in your work

The course fee includes all materials.

Sign up  


Lesson 3 - Botanical garden

Inspiration (the classical garden from Suzhou) -

虽由人作，宛自天开。
Even though it is human-made, it looks like it was created by nature.

如何在有限中见无限，与流转处得永恒。
How to capture the infinite in the finite, and obtain eternity in the flow.

Introduction - 留园 Liu Yuan (The hanging garden)

留于天地之间，长留美景之意 ( Stay between heaven and earth, preserve the beautiful landscape of centuries)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUSg_-HfDrI

中式园林 － 建筑 山水 花木
Chinese garden (Yuan Lin) - Architecture, landscape (Mountain en water), flowers en trees

Architecture: Fun - embraced by nature | curved lines
曲 漏 － 便是建筑和自然取得协调的方法 Bending and leaking 
Landscape: Mountain - ugly stones (透漏）Water - ups en downs 起伏 错落
Flowers en trees: 曲径通幽 － 交，曲， 空 (Interact, Curve, Empty)