The Kew Book of Botanical Illustration (paperback edition)

Kew is eminent worldwide in botanical science and preservation, and Christabel King is their foremost botanical artist. Here she explains botanical art and illustration, covering materials, collecting plant material, drawing and painting techniques, magnification, and painting from succulents to wildflowers.

Christabel King is one of the foremost botanical artists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, world leaders in the study and conservation of plant species. Here she shares her passion for depicting plants, both in scientific illustrations and botanical art. This inspiring guide covers everything you need to know from collecting and preserving plant specimens, through magnification, drawing from life and painting leaves, flowers, cacti and much more. A chapter on travel drawing gives a flavour of the author's worldwide experience, and there are many of her beautiful plates from the prestigious Curtis’s Botanical Magazine. A helpful section on suitable subjects for beginners and a glossary of terms, will get you started in the beautiful art of botanical illustration.

'This is botanical illustration at the highest level.' – The Artist

Christabel King is the foremost botanical artist at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, world leaders in the study and preservation of plant species.

Here she shares her passion for depicting plants, both in scientific illustrations and in looser botanical art.

This inspiring guide covers everything you need to know: choose a subject and create a vibrant composition; accurately sketch, shade and colour leaves, flowers, cacti and more; finally, press and preserve your own treasured specimens. A chapter on travel drawing gives a flavour of the author's worldwide experience, and there are many of her beautiful plates from the prestigious Curtis's Botanical Magazine. There is a helpful section on suitable subjects for beginners and a glossary of terms, to get you started in the beautiful art of botanical illustration.