Event Details
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 June | 10.30am to 4pm
£260 per person (two-day workshop)
Including garden entry and lunch
About the workshop
Join acclaimed botanical artist and illustrator Lucy T. Smith in this two-day botanical art workshop. You will learn how to see and draw like a botanical artist, making plant studies which capture the essence, detail and beauty of plants on paper.
Using a wide variety of examples from her collection of botanical sketchbooks, Lucy will teach you the techniques needed to examine and draw plants accurately. You will work from loose sketches through to careful measured drawing of both whole plants and selected botanical details, adding watercolour to our drawings where needed to enhance their content and beauty.
You will have the opportunity use specimens and plant materials directly from the Chatsworth Garden as inspiration.
If you would like to use this course to start keeping a botanical sketchbook, we recommend bringing a book (spiral or case-bound, minimum A4 size) containing good quality cartridge paper (160gsm minimum), smooth but with some tooth to hold pencil; or one with hot press watercolour paper.
Important information
Please bring a ceramic white saucer or side-plate to use as a palette. All other materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own pencils and watercolour paints.
Meeting point & refreshments
Please meet at 10.20am at the top garden gates (near the Stables). The workshop includes a locally sourced graze box lunch from Chatsworth Farm Shop on each day, along with tea and coffee throughout the session.
About the Artist
Lucy T. Smith is a professional botanical artist and illustrator with over 30 years of experience creating botanical works for publication and exhibition. She leads the teaching of botanical art at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has taught in many places locally and internationally. Lucy has recently published her first book, "Botanical Sketchbooks, An Artist's Guide to Plant Studies," and her illustrations have been published in scientific books and papers worldwide. She has received many awards for her work, and was part of the team which described a new species of giant water lily (Victoria boloviana) to science in 2022.
You may also like...
Get Drawing - Winter
25 January 2025
Create a series of observational drawings of seasonal plants, trees and landscapes under expert tuition.
Jigsaw Lino Print Weekend Workshop
1 - 2 February 2025
A weekend workshop where you'll learn the art of lino printing.
Chatsworth Print Club
Every Tuesday:
25 February to 1 April 2025
Develop your understanding and experience of printmaking in this artist-led course, meeting weekly for six weeks.
Learn to Draw in Six Weeks
Every Thursday
27 February to 3 April 2025
Take inspiration from the Chatsworth Garden as you develop your drawing skills over this six-week course.
Bookbinding Weekend Workshop
1 & 2 March 2025
Learn bookbinding techniques in this two day artist-led workshop
Spring Paper Wreaths & Posies
23 March 2025
Learn how to make paper flowers and develop them into a seasonal wreath.
Willow Weaving Masterclass - Spring Lamb
30 March 2025
Create your own spring lamb sculpture out of willow in this fully guided workshop, led by internationally renowned artist Emma Stothard.
Botanical Embroidery Workshop
5 April, 6 April, 16 August or 17 August 2025
Learn the art of botanical embroidery, using plants and flowers from the Chatsworth Garden as your inspiration.
Succulent Watercolour Workshop
9 May 2025
Develop a vibrant approach to watercolour painting in this succulent-themed workshop.
Botanical Silver Jewellery Workshop
17 May & 2 August
Create unique jewellery from silver clay, in this nature inspired workshop led by jeweller Louise Collins.
Landscapes in Oils
21 May & 25 September 2025
Join acclaimed artist Sue Nichol for a winter themed art masterclass. Using oil paints, charcoal and ink you will explore a variety of materials to convey winter in all its moods.
An Introduction to Hardback Book Binding
23 May 2025
Learn how to create and bind your own hardback notebook.
Raku Clay Firing
21 June 2025
Learn about the Raku clay firing process and take part in a variety of Raku techniques.
Flowers from the Garden, watercolour workshop
21 June, 30 July 2025
Collect a spring posy in the kitchen and cutting garden, then use it as inspiration for your own artwork at our seasonal watercolour workshop, led by Peak District Artisan Pam Smart.
Working in Oils Outdoors
26 June 2025
Spend a day capturing the landscape around the Chatsworth Garden using the vibrant medium of oil painting.
Botanical Linoprint Workshop
19 July 2025
Create your own botanical prints using linocut blocks, taking inspiration from the Chatsworth Garden.
Pig Willow Weaving Masterclass
19 July, 20 July 2025
International willow artist, Emma Stothard, leads a pig themed willow weaving masterclass.
Cutting Garden Floristry Workshop
24 July, 25 July, 11 September, 12 September 2025
Create a seasonal arrangement using flowers from the Chatsworth Garden.
Beauty in the Detail: Plant Studies for Botanical Art
26 - 27 July 2025
Learn how to see and draw like a botanical artist, making plant studies which capture the essence, detail and beauty of plants on paper.
Autumnal Paper Wreaths Workshop
13 September 2025
Craft a stunning paper seasonal wreath using the warm and inviting colours of autumn.
Autumnal Watercolours: Painting the Harvest
11 October 2025
Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours and textures of the autumn harvest at our seasonal watercolour workshop, led by Peak District Artisan Pam Smart.
Autumnal Centrepiece Workshop
16 & 17 October 2025
Celebrate the beauty of autumn by creating a seasonal centrepiece for your home, complete with flowers and foliage from the Chatsworth Kitchen and Cutting Garden.
Stay with us
With so much to see, do, and explore in the Peak District, it's a shame to only come for the day, so why not stay a little longer? Our country cottages, shepherd's huts, hotels, and inns are the perfect base for exploring all that Chatsworth, Derbyshire, and the Peak District have to offer. Find out more.
