Step-by-step botanical illustration guides, for beginners and beyond
Thoughtfully Designed for Botanical Artists at Every Stage
Whether you're picking up a brush for the first time or returning to your practice, The Guides are here to support you.
These step-by-step tutorials combine clear written instruction with high-quality video demonstrations, so you can build your skills with confidence — and enjoy the process along the way.
Work at your own pace, revisit the lessons anytime, and see real progress in your botanical art.
“Helen explains everything so clearly…”
This is the perfect place to begin a journey in botanical art. Helen explains everything so clearly, describing all the materials she uses, and why she chooses those particular ones.
The videos are fantastic in showing real-time how she works with the ability to pause and change the speed. This guide really propelled me forwards and I am so excited to try the next two projects! I find so much peace from sitting down to paint” — Cheryl
What’s Inside Each Guide?
There are three guides, each aimed at a particular skill level.
*Each guide may be purchased individually or as part of a bundle.
Let’s Start Botanical Art
An 82-page foundational guide for beginners, newly updated for 2024.
Includes:
12 chapters of written instruction
7 high-definition video demonstrations
9 short practice exercises
2 full-length step-by-step tutorials
Clear guidance on materials, setup, and techniques
A Trio of Pansies
A standalone project designed to help you build on your skills.
Includes:
A complete written tutorial
High-quality video demonstration
Focus on layering, colour blending, and petal texture
Rose
A more complex project for those ready to deepen their practice.
Includes:
A full written guide
Step-by-step video tutorial
Emphasis on form, tone, and fine detail
What Makes These Guides Different?
Over 140 pages of written content
3.5+ hours of high-quality video demonstrations
Designed for calm, focused learning — no rushed edits or skipped steps
Instant download and lifetime access
A private Facebook group to share your progress, ask questions, and connect with like-minded artists
Which guide is right for me?
I am…
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Start with Let’s Start Botanical Art - my original and newly updated guide.
In 12 Chapters and 82 pages I take you through the exact materials I own, the exact techniques I use and the exact process I follow - I’m not hiding any secrets here!
The guide is crammed full of easy to follow information, with 9 manageable projects as well as 2 full step-by-step tutorials, all supported by video demonstrations, to help you create your first botanical studies.
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I’d recommend starting with The Complete Bundle - this contains Let’s Start Botanical Art which will give you a really solid understanding of my methods, as well as two more tutorials which will advance your skills even further!
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If you’ve already purchased Let’s Start Botanical Art, have watched one of my classes on Skillshare or attended one of my workshops, then you should be familiar with my methods!
I’d recommend purchasing The Evolving Bundle. It includes two further tutorials that you can continue to practice all of the skills you’ve learnt already!
Take a Peek Inside Let’s Start Botanical Art
Save with a Bundle
This bundle contains the two follow-on guides to Let’s Start Botanical Art — A Trio of Pansies and Rose. These tutorials are the perfect next step to help you evolve and refine your botanical illustration skills.
Save 20% when you buy them together and continue building your skills with confidence.
In this bundle you’ll receive all three guides — Let’s Start Botanical Art, A Trio of Pansies, and Rose — and you’ll save over 25%!
Take yourself on a journey, starting with the fundamentals and progressing through to more detailed botanical projects as your skills grow.
FAQs
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‘Let’s Start Botanical Art’ is designed for complete beginners. We work through the materials I recommend, the ideal workspace set up, as well as the fundamental skills of drawing and using watercolours! You may also find it useful if you have some prior watercolour knowledge but feel you would benefit from some guidance transferring your skills to botanical art.
The ‘Trio of Pansies’ and ‘Rose’ Guides are designed for those with a little bit of watercolour experience, and will be particularly beneficial to consolidate skills learnt in Let’s Start Botanical Art or an in-person workshop! -
After your purchase you will receive a confirmation email and then a second email containing a download link.
This download link will expire after 24 hours - so be sure to save it to your device!
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Yes! Make sure you have a pdf reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or iBooks installed before downloading.
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Please check that the email you entered when purchasing is correct. Also, search for the name of the guide you purchased in your emails.
If you’re still having trouble, send me an email and we’ll sort it out!
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Search for “Let’s Start Botanical Art” on Facebook and you should find the link - make sure to enter the email address you used to purchase the guide when you join!
"Helen's instruction throughout her botanical, watercolour course is rock solid!"
She has taken a lot of care in the production of wonderful videos to assist along the way in the technical aspects of capturing floral beauty.
I am so delighted with this program, and highly recommend it to anybody who is interested in perfecting their botanic painting skill set, or even to develop beginning painting skills.
- Elizabeth K
“Everything about this course is perfect, it's a very clear guide for the watercolour beginner”
Everything about this course is perfect, it's a very clear guide for the watercolour beginner, I love the exact supplies guide, it's very helpful and it prevents from buying unnecessary stuff.
It is beautifully designed and it's a great pleasure following all chapters. Now I only need to practice, practice, practice...
— Agnieszka W