Introductory Courses

Students wishing to learn more about botanical illustration or wanting to brush-up on their skills before beginning the certificate sequence can take introductory courses that are not part of the certificate requirements: Introduction to Botanical Illustration and Introduction to Drawing in Pencil.


Required Courses
The following 15 courses are required if you wish to receive a Foundational Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration. The recommended sequence of courses is listed below. This succession is appropriate for both the certificate and the non-certificate student. Classes can also be taken in the order determined by their prerequisites. Courses consist of exercises, critiques, demonstrations and homework assignments. A list of supplies for each course will be sent with your class confirmation.

  1. Botanical Illustration in Pencil I
  2. Botany for the Botanical Illustrator
  3. Light on Form
  4. Botanical Illustration in Pencil II
  5. Composition for Botanical Illustration
  6. Perfecting Perspective
  7. Botanical Illustration in Pen and Ink I
  8. Botanical Illustration in Pen and Ink II
  9. Color Layering for Colored Pencil
  10. Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil I
  11. Botanical Illustration in Colored Pencil II
  12. Color Mixing 
  13. Botanical Illustration in Watercolor I
  14. Botanical Illustration in Watercolor II
  15. Portfolio Preparation Course
Each of these 15 courses consist of exercises, critiques, demonstrations and homework assignments. The length of each course is 15 hours (except Portfolio Preparation Course 6 hours) .

Elective Courses
The elective courses are all designed to increase the students' knowledge and skills on the field. In addition to the 15 required courses, you must select minimum of 100 elective hours. Please check the catalog, since the number and topic of elective courses offered in any one year may vary. Guest instructor workshops may be taken as electives.
In order to receive credit for any course, attendance is required at the first class for any course and at 80% of all classes.


Café Botanique - Science Lecture Series
This free lecture series is open to Botanical Art and Illustration Student as well as to DBG members, the general public, academia and artists. Café Botanique generally meets typically on selected Wednesday evenings  at the Gardens, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Participation to one lecture gives 1 elective credit hour and you can receive a maximum of 15 credit hours from these lectures.
For more information please contact the School at 720-865-3653 or mervi.hjelmroos-koski@botanicgardens.org

Portfolio Review

Upon completion of all course work, students may express their interest in applying for portfolio review and certification by requesting a transcript from the program manager and submitting an application for the review by January 15, 2018.

Portfolio Preparation Course is mandatory for graduation. 
After the Portfolio Preparation Course, the candidates have the opportunity for individual consultation with instructors to refine the portfolio pieces prior to the final portfolio drop-off 7. More detailed information will be received at the time of application approval.