Academy of Botanical Art - Art Education
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The Academy of Botanical Art

Local & Distance Learning
Botanical Drawing and Watercolor Courses
in the French Court Tradition,
together with courses in support of
Nature and Fine Art Studies.

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Academy Mission Study Locations Certificate Course Study Sequence Certification From Apprentince to Instructor
Olivia Marie Braida-Chiusano
Master Botanical Artist, Author, Educator
          Founder and Director of the Academy of Botanical Art and OM Art Designs
Join students around the world who take advantage of Ms. Braida’s 
techniques and teachings through her local and distance learning art study
based on her books: “Ten Steps - A Course in Botanical Art & Illustration, Volumes 1-10.’

The Academy of Botanical Art was established to offer both a creative experience and a road map for adventure.  It addresses our worldly needs and calls us to remember what is soul-satisfying. This beautiful art form can be accessible to all who are willing to open themselves to learning. An open admission policy, designed with complete flexibility, is an opportunity for both local and distance learners to take advantage of drawing, painting and other courses that will develop their artistic skills.

 The Academy of Botanical Art offers training through a directed course of study based on Ms. Braida’s “Ten Step” series of books.  Students acquire accurate rendering skills unique to the scientific nature of the botanical subject.  A variety of elective courses held in various places in the United States and abroad is available through the Academy and other resources that will broaden the student’s range of education and development.  Above all, prospective students need to know that prior art experience is NOT required.

Independent Distance Learning Programs

Classes, Workshops and Travel Excursions

The Academy of Botanical Art offers various methods and locales for students to accomplish their botanical art studies

  1. Structured classes at the Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, Florida
  2. Workshops at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida
  3. Workshops at Studio 20, Sarasota, Florida
  4. Workshops at Studio 77, Manhattan, New York
  5. Workshops at Studio 44, Lexington, Kentucky
  6. Workshops at Studio 88, Mazomanie Wisconsin
  7. Distance Learning Programs with Tutor Assistance
  8. Travel workshops and other classes announced in our free monthly newsletter.
    Click here to sign up now for the newsletter!

Certificate Course in Botanical Art & Illustration

The following information outlines a study sequence for a Certificate Course in Botanical Art & Illustration especially designed by O.M. Braida and now available through the Academy of Botanical Art (local and distance learning),  the Ringling College of Art and Design-CSSP, and The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.  The availability of this course is continually growing as new locations are being added and instruction is available from qualified Academy Instructors. The sequence shown below can be altered to accommodate the student’s schedule.

The certificate program is represented by 265 contact hours. There are eleven required courses that comprise 205 contact hours, and various electives to make up the additional 60 hours.

Each course is represented by one volume from the text book series entitled “Ten Steps - A Course in Botanical Art & Illustration, Volumes 1-10” by O.M. Braida. These books are the basis for the entire course. Books can be ordered individually or as a complete set.

Recommended Sequence for the Certificate Course
Volume 1 Botanical Drawing I Getting Started with Drawing Basics
Volume 2 Botanical Drawing II Nature: Up Close and Personal
Volume 5 Botanical Watercolor I Tools and Techniques
Volume 6 Botanical Watercolor II Form and Detail
Volume 3 Botanical Drawing III Drawing from Field Work and Research
Volume 4 Botanical Drawing IV Composition and Expression
Volume 10 Plant Morphology for Artists Plant Structure, Identification, and Scientific Portrayal for Botanical Artists
Volume 7 Botanical Watercolor III Transforming Composition
Volume 8 Botanical Watercolor IV Advanced Watercolor Techniques
Volume 9 Botanical Pen & Ink I & II Pen & Ink Drawing for the Botanical Artist
  Marketing Your Art *Flexible sequence. Take this class when you can best fit it into your schedule

Electives

 60 contact hours of electives on a flexible sequence. Recommendations for the elective courses are: Photoshop, Black and White Photography, Color Photography, Framing Techniques, Printmaking, Art History, and others.  Inquire to be sure you are selecting electives that will help meet your goals.


Click here to find out about how to order the “Ten Steps” series of books.

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Requirements for a Certificate of Botanical Art and llustration

I . Statement of Proposed Thesis

  1. The "Statement of Proposed Thesis" for Presentation of Independent Work must explain a connected botanical theme for an original body of work.
  2. This proposal must be submitted to Continuing Studies, and then approved by the Botanical Art and Illustration Program Coordinator.  A copy of the approved Statement of Proposed Thesis must be included in student’s portfolio of independent work.
  3. The thesis for the Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration must embody results of original research and renderings that substantiate a specific view documented by the candidate for the final project of independent work.  The work must embody nine original works of art: SIX (6) watercolors, THREE (3) graphite drawings, and TWO (2) study boards, or, a minimum of FOUR (4) watercolors and a maximum of TWO (2) pen and ink drawings, and three graphite drawings.
  4. In addition to the original works of art, students are required to submit two portfolios. See below.


II. Original Works of Art:

The presentation of independent work will include a MINIMUM of NINE original completed works of art presented as follows:

  1. SIX botanical subjects completed (FOUR watercolor paintings and TWO pen and ink drawings).
  2. THREE drawings relating to the six finished artworks.
  3. All completed artwork will be attached to foam board with a protective tracing paper overlay labeled with its specimen identification label as learned in Drawing III.
  4. A Minimum of Three Study Boards relating to the chosen theme - complete with research, key element studies, and color guides pertaining to the work.
III. A Professional Portfolio of Independent Work that includes:
  1. Name and Title Page
  2. Table of Contents
  3. Statement of Proposed Thesis
  4. Résumé as prepared in the Marketing Class
  5. Color Copies of each completed independent artwork inserted vertically into portfolio and on the right side only and in any order you choose.
  6. Slides or digital images submitted on disk of all nine completed independent artworks
IV. Course Portfolio
  1. Name and Title Page
  2. Table of Contents
  3. Twenty pieces of best work presented in sequence, either originals or color copies, as follows:
  4. One each from Drawing I through IV; Watercolor I through IV, and Pen and Ink, for a total of nine works.
  5. Ten additional pieces selected from Drawing I through IV; Watercolor I through IV, Pen and Ink and Botanical elective work.
  6. The final project from morphology is to be placed last.
  7. Images must be inserted vertically and on right side only.  Identifying tags on left are optional.
 
V.Becoming An Academy Instructor
Existing Botanical Artist/Instructors, or those students who successfully complete their botanical art certification, may wish to consider becoming an either an Approved Academy Vendor or an Academy Instructor.  Please be sure to inquire about this exciting program.  Application submission and acceptance is required.  Please inquire.
1. Approved Vendor: Academy Approved Vendors can sell OM Art Books & Products and receive commissions for sale of these items. An Approved Academy of Botanical Art Vendor Certificate will be sent to your school for display.  Approved Academy Vendors can apply to be approved Instructors, and use the Academy materials to help their students achieve a Certificate in Botanical Art.  Students enrolled as Certificate Students through the Academy are eligible to receive additional course materials.  Those who complete the full 270 credit program and satisfactorily submit their independent study for review can achieve their Certificate in Botanical Art.

2.  Approved Academy Instructor -- An Approved Academy Instructor is one who can comfortably work to Level II of the “Ten Steps” Program.  This includes the ability to teach Botanical Drawing I and II, Watercolor I and II, and Pen & Ink I and II.  

3.  Senior Academy Instructor: To become a Senior Academy Instructor, the applicant must have previous experience as a Botanical Art Instructor and must be capable of teaching to Level IV of the Ten Step Program or its equivalent.  Senior Instructors are themselves already Certified Botanical Artists or are awaiting Certification. 

4.  Certified Academy Instructor: To become a Certified Academy Instructor, instructors must first meet the requirements for Senior Academy Instructors status.  Senior Instructors who teach under the Academy program and with Academy materials for a minimum of one year may make application for the Certified Academy Instructor status. 

5.  Master Academy Instructor: To be qualified to receive the Master Academy Instructor Award,Certified Academy Instructors must substantiate through Public Appreciation, Press Materials, Exhibit Reviews, and the like, that their work is perceived by the public as being “masterly” and of the “highest professional level.” Applicants must submit application to the Academy.

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