Geelong School of Botanical Art

Botanical Art classes are among the most popular activities held by the Friends.   Experienced teachers conduct small classes of students at levels varying from beginners to semi-professional. The teachers and a number of past students have received recognition at significant botanical art exhibitions both locally and internationally.

Location: All classes are held in the Geelong Botanic Gardens' Meeting Room at the rear of the Geelong Botanic Gardens.

Enrolment and Fees: Notice of enrolment must be lodged at the Friends' Office at least two weeks before the start of the Victorian school term. Term Fees must be paid in full before the start of the first class.

Absence of leave policy

Absence of leave form

All About the Tutors 

Class Descriptions and Materials Lists

 

TERM 4 CLASS DATES:

Please contact the Friends' Office to book your place.   ph. 5229 0071 or info@friendsgbg.org.au

 

MONDAY CLASS – In-Person      

Tutor: Amanda Blake Sutterby                                  

9.30 am to 4.00 pm.  $380 members or $410 non-members

Large Scale Flower Studies:                                        

6, 13, 27 October

1, 8 December

 

FRIDAY CLASS – In-Person                                          

Tutor: Craig Lidgerwood                

9.30 am to 4.00 pm.   $336 members or $360 non-members

Intermediate Class:

10, 24 October

7, 28 November

12 December

     

SATURDAY CLASSES – In-Person              

Tutor: John Pastoriza-Pinol                        

9.30 am to 4.00 pm.       $420 members or $450 non-members

Advanced to Semi Professional Botanical Art:

11, 25 October

8, 22 November

6 December

 

BOTANICAL ART MASTERCLASS
3 Day Intensive Workshop
‘Monochrome Studies & Metallic Expressions’

Skill Level:  Intermediate to Advanced

16, 17, 18 January 2026    (Fri, Sat, Sun)

9.30 am to 4.00 pm

Large Meeting Room at Geelong Botanic Gardens

Join us for a three-day immersive botanical art experience exploring tone, texture, and creative experimentation. In this masterclass, participants will undertake a complete botanical project, focussing between two specific areas:
 
Monochrome Botanical Study – Discover the beauty and precision of working in a single pigment. Learn to capture the structure, tonal depth, and delicate transitions of your chosen botanical specimen using graphite, ink, or neutral watercolour tones.
 
Metallic Background Experimentation – Explore the expressive possibilities of the new Schmincke bronze paints as a luxurious background medium. Learn how to integrate metallics into your botanical compositions to create depth, light interplay, and contemporary visual impact.
 
Through live demonstrations, guided practice, and individual feedback, participants will refine their observational drawing, layering, and tonal control while expanding their artistic techniques.
 
All students will complete a resolved artwork by the end of the masterclass.
 

$320 members and $350 non members

Enquiries to the Friends’ Office 03 5229 0071
info@friendsgbg.org.au     www.friendsgbg.org.au

Bookings close by Friday 9 January 2026