Learn to paint botanical watercolour as beautiful as the nature that inspires it.
Imagine observing, understanding, and painting the natural world like a botanical artist.
The Membership combines guided botanical art education, detailed watercolour tuition, and ongoing creative support to help you build the skills and confidence needed to create beautiful botanical art.
‘Hydrangea’ tutorial from The Membership
Painted by Henrietta
“Since joining The Membership I feel I have a clear pathway to follow.”
“Before joining the membership I felt a bit lost and directionless with my botanical art. Having studied on the advanced certificate course with the RBGE I was still lacking motivation and a path to follow.
Since joining I feel I have a clear pathway to follow with tutorials I can dip in and out of, depending on my time commitments that week. Helen’s calm, clear and informative tutorials make navigating the learning process so simple.”
-- Henrietta, United Kingdom
Painted by Fiona
“Give it a try.”
Since joining, I feel more relaxed and happier sharing my work. All the members are so kind. I especially enjoy the little photo tutorials Helen demonstrates, they remind me to loosen up and have fun.
The videos are clear and easy to follow, and Helen is always happy to help if you have questions.
-- Fiona, United Kingdom
The Membership from Helen Cousins Botanics
The Membership is a creative community for botanical artists.
Whether you're just starting out or returning after time away, it’s a place to develop your practice with structure, encouragement, and room to move at your own pace.
And, if you want to take things further, there's also a supported path toward submitting your work for exhibition.
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Everything inside The Membership is designed to help you create realistic botanical watercolour paintings.
FUNDAMENTAL TECHNIQUE
Study watercolour technique with my Fundamentals Courses
Learn the essential techniques behind realistic botanical painting with:
Fundamentals of Watercolour
Fundamentals of Botanical Art
Fundamentals of Colour
BOTANICAL TUTORIALS
A new botanical subject to look forward to every month
Each tutorial is chosen, painted and filmed by Helen to help you build on your skills and create a beautiful piece of botanical art.
You'll also receive a downloadable PDF guide with materials lists, reference photographs and line drawings.
FUNDAMENTALS OF DRAWING
Build the drawing skills that make original artwork possible
Learn to observe your subject, understand its form, and translate what you see into a drawing of your own.
Through progressive lessons and practical exercises, you'll develop the confidence to make your own artistic decisions.
PEER SUPPORT
The Community
Share your ideas, perspectives, ambitions and challenges with fellow botanical artists.
When you join The Membership, you become part of a community where kindness, encouragement and inspiration flow freely.
Polaroid Tutorials
Experiment with colour, technique and composition through playful, creative painting exercises.
Tips & Tricks
Practical advice and demonstrations to help you tackle specific challenges in your botanical painting.
Explore the library of Botanical Tutorials
MY PROMISE TO YOU
You’ll never be one of thousands
When I launched The Membership in 2025, I made a promise that every member could receive personal feedback from me on their work.
As The Membership grew, I realised there would eventually come a point where I could no longer keep that promise without limiting its size.
So, I made the decision to cap The Membership at 300 members.
That means that as a member, you can share your work with me for personalised guidance and ask questions as they come up. Every time you ask for feedback, I personally review your work and reply with the guidance I feel will support you most at that moment.
Plus, every month we gather for a live Q&A session on Zoom. This is your chance to ask questions, share what you’re working on, and connect with me and other members in real time.
THE PATHWAY
From Beautiful Beginnings to Majestic Mastery
If you’d like more structure, I’ve created a pathway inside The Membership that helps you make progress without adding pressure or deadlines.
It’s completely optional, but many members find it helpful to know what to focus on next and how to track their development over time.
I’ll be here to guide and support you at each step.
Beautiful Beginnings
This is where we begin. It’s a recognition that you’ve shown up, carved out time, and are ready to begin.
Perfect Preparation
After you’ve completed the three Fundamentals courses, you’ll have the groundwork in place to move forward with confidence.
Conscious Creativity
Your skills are growing and your confidence is building. You’ll complete 10 tutorials and send me photos of your work for personal feedback.
Effortless Expression
Things begin to feel more intuitive. You’ll submit 5 tutorial pieces, plus 5 original paintings. You’ll share your work, in a local exhibition or with family and friends.
Majestic Mastery
Your final milestone.
You’ll create and submit 3 new pieces for your portfolio, and at least one will be submitted to a national or international exhibition.
This is the kind of structure I wish I had when I was learning. A way to keep moving, stay inspired, and enjoy the process without the stress of fixed timelines.
- Helen
IN CASE YOU’RE NEW HERE
Hi, I’m Helen
Would you enjoy learning with me? Here are a few reasons we might be a good fit:
I built my art practice alongside a career in medicine, so I know what it means to make room for painting in a full life.
I spent years refining my colour palette down to six paints, and I can mix almost every colour I need from them. I’ll teach you everything I know about using those six colours, so you'll be able to look at a subject you want to paint and understand how to create the colours you need.
I’ve been through the same challenges you’re facing now as you develop your botanical art. I can help you understand what’s happening and make progress with less trial and error.
2981
students in 46 countries
53
in-person workshops conducted
400+
artists welcomed into
The Membership
16
years teaching botanical art
The approach behind The Membership
Over time, I’ve developed a teaching method that forms the foundation of everything we do inside The Membership that I call the ‘Evergreen Method’.
It’s built around three core pillars, each one equally important:
Observe. Understand. Create.
Together, they offer a structured approach to learning botanical illustration that helps you slow down, see more, and build lasting confidence in your work.
Observe
Train your eye through close observation of natural forms, noticing structure, shape, and detail before you ever pick up a brush.
Understand
Build practical knowledge of techniques, materials, and form, so you can make thoughtful decisions and develop your own way of working.
Create
Apply what you’ve learned through regular practice, exploring each month’s project in your own time and style, without pressure.
What members are saying…
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Priyanka, India
“I look at flowers in a completely different way now.”
I came across Helen’s work on Instagram years ago and was absolutely in love with her paintings. When she announced the membership, I didn’t think twice. I signed up almost immediately and I’m so glad I did.
Since joining, a lot has changed. I look at flowers in a completely different way now. I used to be a self-taught artist but this experience has helped me go beyond just experimenting. I’m learning real technique and I look forward to every painting. They already look so different from what I was doing before.
If you’re thinking about joining, give it a go. You can try the monthly plan first to see if it’s right for you. You’ll have a wonderful, supportive community along the way.
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Annick, Belgium
“The community is full of kind, encouraging people”
I was drawn to the calmness and softness in Helen’s teaching and the delicacy of her paintings. At first I doubted the Membership, thinking it would be like all the others. But I tried a month and realised it was different. Helen is just as dedicated as her students and it feels personal and supportive.
The way she teaches brings calm to my mind, which shows in my painting. The community is full of kind, encouraging people and I look forward to the tutorials and meetings. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the first tulip tutorial, but Helen’s kind words gave me the confidence to try. That’s when I knew this was something special.
Don’t hesitate. You’ll learn a lot and meet wonderful people. You won’t regret it.
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Melanie, South Africa
“Feedback on my paintings has helped build my confidence”
I had lost confidence after a workshop with a local artist whose approach was so different to mine. It left me confused about my own process.
Since joining The Membership, I’ve been more relaxed with drawing and painting, and not worried about a perfect finished piece. Getting into the nuts and bolts of drawing, stretching paper, and painting again has been very enjoyable. Feedback on my paintings has helped build my confidence, and the members are also inspiring.
Start month by month and go through the fundamentals. Read the inspiring messages in the community and enjoy the process. If it feels right, then subscribe for a year.
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Sarah, United Kingdom
“Helen gives me feedback and encouragement to keep going.”
I loved watching Helen on Facebook and YouTube, painting botanical subjects in watercolour. I wanted to improve my drawing and painting skills and found it disheartening to do so alone. It looked like a fantastic opportunity, so I made the decision to join.
The Membership has taught me skills in a structured way and Helen gives me feedback and encouragement to keep going. Seeing what other artists are doing adds to my journey. It’s always good to know I’m not alone. There’s no rush — I can go at my own pace.
If you need structured learning and inspiration and want to grow alongside a community of artists, go for it. You won’t be disappointed.
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Rachel, USA
“I now pick up a paint brush at least 4 days a week, even if only for a few minutes.”
I had wanted to try botanical art for several years, but nothing had felt quite the right fit. The ability to learn at my own pace really appealed to me. Since joining, I’ve created a dedicated art space at home and now paint much more regularly. Before, I may have gone months without painting. I’m still learning, but I’ve begun, and that feels important.
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Claudia, Brussels
“It’s an absolute joy to be part of this wonderful, welcoming and supportive community.”
This membership has made such a positive impact on me and I’m very happy to be here. I recommend joining however much time you have to spare, just take small steps and do as little or as much as you want to do.
In the past six months I have seen my own skills develop, which is down to Helen’s clear and detailed video tutorials and the time I am able to give. Botanical painting is so mindful and I love how the process encourages me to slow down, enjoy each step, and learn so much.
Botanical Art Created by Members
A collection of paintings created by members learning, practising, and growing together.
More than learning to paint, this is a journey to creative confidence and inner calm.
When you join The Membership, you’ll do more than master watercolour techniques and botanical forms.
You’ll discover the joy of creating without fear, the comfort of a paintbrush in hand, and the gentle rhythm of reconnecting with nature, and yourself.
💫
Feel empowered
to start painting anytime, with the tools, guidance, and encouragement you need.
💛
Belong
to a nurturing space where you’re supported, inspired, and free to create without judgement.
🧘♀️
Find calm
as you settle into a creative practice that offers space to breathe, reflect, and be present.
🌼
Grow your skills
from hesitant brushstrokes to confident, expressive botanical pieces.
Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time, coming back after a long break, or wanting to deepen your practice, The Membership helps you make painting a regular part of your week, and reconnect with yourself as an artist.
The prices shown below apply while The Membership is growing towards the 300-member cap. Once we reach 300 members for the first time, the fees to become a member will increase. Membership fees for current members will not change while their subscription remains active.
Join for the year
£350 / year
Join for a year and save £70 compared to monthly membership.
Join monthly
£35 / month
Flexible monthly access.
By joining the waitlist, you’ll also receive my Artist’s Journal. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Both membership options include full access to:
- Member Community
- Fundamentals Courses
- Botanical Tutorials
- Polaroid Tutorials
- Monthly Q&A Sessions
- 1-1 Coaching
- The Learning Pathway
- Fundamentals of Drawing
- Tips and Tricks Videos
How enrolment works for The Membership.
Because The Membership is limited to 300 members, places are offered through an automated enrolment system. When a minimum number of places become available, the system invites a group of people from the waitlist, starting with those who have been waiting longest.
Each group has a limited invitation window in which to join. When that window closes, any places that remain available are offered to the next group on the waitlist.
If The Membership reaches capacity while an invitation window is open, that window closes and no further invitations are sent until places become available again.
Frequently Asked Questions
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One of the things members tell me they value most is the personal connection. I’m present in the community, answering questions, reviewing your work and offering guidance as you develop your skills.
The Evergreen Method gives you a clear approach to learning, while The Learning Pathway gives you milestones to work towards. You can choose the tutorials that interest you and ask me for guidance when you’re unsure what to work on next.
Many online art memberships are designed to support very large communities, with extensive libraries of teaching for members to explore. I made the decision to cap The Membership at 300 members so I can stay personally involved in your development.
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Yes. The Membership is designed to support artists at different stages of their botanical art practice.
If you’re a complete beginner, the Fundamentals courses will give you a strong grounding in the core skills you’ll need for botanical watercolour.
If you already have experience, you can choose tutorials that challenge you, use The Learning Pathway to work towards new milestones, and ask me for personal feedback and guidance as you continue developing your work.
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The Membership is designed to fit around your everyday life.
You’ll find a variety of tutorials and activities to choose from depending on how much time you have available.
If you have a shorter window, you might choose a Polaroid or mini tutorial that you can complete in one sitting. When you have more time, you can settle into a larger botanical tutorial and work on it over several sessions.
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Not at all. When you join you’ll receive access to a list of the core materials I use and recommend. Also, every botanical tutorial uses my limited palette of just six watercolours so you won’t need to keep buying new colours as you move on to different tutorials.
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Yes. In order to receive feedback from me, you’ll need to share your work within The Membership.
I take great care to create a supportive and encouraging environment where members feel comfortable sharing work in progress, asking questions and learning alongside each other.
If you’d prefer private feedback, one to one coaching is also available to members for an additional fee.
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The amount of time will vary depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many places are available when you join the waitlist.
Invitations are offered in small groups, starting with the people who have been waiting longest. When you’re invited to join, you’ll receive an email letting you know that a place is available. You’ll then have a limited period of time to join The Membership. Any places still available after that window closes are then offered to the next group.
