The Joy of Botanical Drawing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing and Painting Flowers, Leaves, Fruit, and More

Treat yourself. Go ahead. You know you want to. I got the digital version and I'm working my way through it. I don't know Wendy and have never taken any instruction from her but I've been following her on Instagram (just because her work brings me joy) and when this book was announced I decided to pre-order one. I am impressed with how incredibly accessible, systematic, encouraging and inspiring it is. I have many years experience playing with watercolor and ink. Playing. For the joy of it. But I think this would be wonderful for a total beginner as well because Wendy is so welcoming, encouraging and inspiring. The book is gorgeous, just like her finished works. It's a joy just to look through it. It's broken down into sections that simplify the entire process, guiding you to develop patience and skill and an eye for detail. There is nothing hurried or stressful about it. It's a meditation and an easy one to slip into. And what better subject than nature!? She offers a list of her recommended materials. I already had such a hodgepodge of colored pencils, watercolor pencils, and an assortment of papers that I went over her list matching what I had as closely as I could. Then I went to her website and finished off my kit with the colors I couldn't match, dura-lar film for a mixing palet (cool stuff), erasers, a brush and a few other odds and ends. She also offers the whole kit (in two sizes) which is reasonably priced for what you get and has basically what you'll need to get started. Nothing like starting out with good quality pencils and paper. The book starts out introducing you to your supplies so you can get to know them and gain confidence right away. You begin playing with your new supplies by learning the basics of tone. How cool is that? Tone is something I struggled with for years and finally, a couple years ago, decided to study. Without it your pictures all look flat and, well, sort of boring. Like something is missing. But she won't waste your time. She jumps right to it. And it's not at all difficult. You just have to follow her very simple, straight-forward, well-illustrated instruction. I love that she keeps pointing out it's not about the finished product but the quality of time you spend doing it. So if you find yourself longing to be the artist who created that stunning painting on your dining room wall, or in the gallery and imagining how wonderful that will feel, trust her when she says that is secondary to the joy you'll get sitting down with your pencils and paper and stepping into a more authentic experience of seeing. Turn off the news. Go ahead. The world will continue to turn without you stressing about every detail. Step off the conveyor belt of constant distractions and diversions and deep-dive into present moment awareness where you'll enjoy the sheer JOY of Botanical Drawing. It's good medicine!

This book is beautifully done. Anyone that can illustrate botanical subjects with colored pencils, and does it beautifully, deserves the respect of all illustrators!

This is a very thorough and thoughtful resource to teach drawing as well as color theory and shadow/ light source. Every page has some kind of beautiful illustration or good lesson. I like very much how in the first chapters she talks about setting up a work station and keeping it simple and inviting so as not to overwhelm. Also the encouragement to pick and choose lessons and not to copy her work but to go outside and find inspiration and resources to hold and study in your own hands. This book is beautiful to look at even if a pencil is never put to paper.

Really beautifully written and printed. Wendy Hollender does a great job of explaining and teaching his art. If you intend to paint your botanicals with pencil, just go for it! It's not too easy to find a book on the subject which focuses on colored pencil. This one does. Each chapter is a lesson, very well explained and with exercises to try and practice on your own. She is an awesome artist and educator.

My husband gave me this book, thinking it might help my printmaking art. He was right! I am focused on botanicals, especially leaves and flowers and vines—and this book is a perfect tutorial for embellishing the natural elements I print. Easy to follow, but not overly simplistic or juvenile. The illustrated guides present sophisticated perspectives and artistic dimensions. A great resource!

Great guide to learn from.

If you are going to buy one book on watercolor, this should be it. I have a BFA, but have always avoided watercolor because, for me, it’s a . . .struggle. Over the last year, I paid $1,200 on two six-week webinar drawing and watercolor courses that didn’t even come close to covering the amount of information in this gorgeous book! Hollender’s book covers not only drawing and watercolor, but color theory as well. I love the spiral bound binding — no more holding pages flat with other useless books! Hollender clearly knows what she’s doing; this book is a work of love and it shows.

I like the instructions in this book. The drawings are beautiful.

An impressive book with clear, concise applications on how best to draw botanical specimens.

Amazing illustrations and extensive information :)

Good book just to get you started with line drawing. It's not complex and anybody can do botanical line pieces after finishing this.

magnifique, je ne regrette pas très beau, en plus d'un livre de dessin, la qualité du papier, et les dessins font un livre a part entière. j'aimerai bien d'autre d'aussi grande qualité. c'est rare. je recommande. vous ne serez pas déçu.

Ejercicios explicados paso a paso, empezando por las nociones más básicas, con detalladas ilustraciones. Es especialmente aconsejable si usas los lápices de colores y acuarelables de Faber Castell, que son los que la autora utiliza y recomienda, ya que resultan idóneos para su técnica, consistente en superponer capas de Albrecht Dürer y Polychromos, que combinan maravillosamente. Yo lo he probado y me encanta el resultado. El dibujo es un original mío realizado del natural con las técnicas aprendidas en este libro.