A New Botanical Diary Theme Every Month

New Series Starting October 2026

Follow the seasons through drawing, watercolor and nature journaling, with fresh inspiration and new lessons added to The Watercolor Garden each month to help you create your own Botanical Diary, one beautiful page at a time.

My 2024 Country Diary

A full year of nature journaling & botanical paintings

During 2024 while on maternity leave with my son, I created this country diary inspired by the work of Edith Holden and The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. This project was a way to slow down, reconnect with nature, and document the changing seasons of Vancouver Island through watercolor and ink. Between naps, stroller walks, marsh visits, woodland trails, and quiet evenings painting at the kitchen table, I slowly filled these pages with native plants, wildflowers, berries, fungi, and seasonal observations gathered throughout the year. This project became both a creative practice and a record of a deeply meaningful season of life. Click through to explore a full year of nature journaling, month by month, and follow the unfolding landscapes, plants, and personal moments that inspired each page.

Pay Once. Learn for Life

Build your skills. Notice more. Paint the natural world without feeling pressured.

One payment. Everything in The Watercolor Garden, for life. Lifetime Membership gives you complete access to the entire learning library, including 30+ classes, seasonal drawing challenges and monthly Botanical Diary themes, plus all new classes, guides, projects and future content added to The Watercolor Garden. Join once and keep learning, painting and growing with The Watercolor Garden for years to come. Pay once. Learn for life. Current pricing expires October 31, 2026.

Join The Watercolor Garden in a Way that Suits You!

Choose from monthly (no commitments), Annual (save $109 per year), or Lifetime Access (pay once learn for life).

What Students are Saying About The Watercolor Garden

5 star rating

Botanical Color 101

Barbara Gamblin

This is an excellent class for a truly beginner artist and botanical painter. I have just watched the entire class and now will go back and make my swatches ...

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This is an excellent class for a truly beginner artist and botanical painter. I have just watched the entire class and now will go back and make my swatches and start a sketch book as Laura has shown. I have has several watercolor classes but none with such wonderful and thorough instruction. Thank you, Laura.

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5 star rating

Perfect

Irene Cooper

So helpful. My flowers are starting to look more realistic. Some great tips in here and a lovely gentle presentational style.

So helpful. My flowers are starting to look more realistic. Some great tips in here and a lovely gentle presentational style.

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5 star rating

how to start a nature sketchbook

Patty McLeod

I've recently taken several courses for nature watercolor paintings...From some very published artists ! This course was so much better. Simple , comprehens...

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I've recently taken several courses for nature watercolor paintings...From some very published artists ! This course was so much better. Simple , comprehensive, great techniques, great videos and excellent teachings.

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5 star rating

Botanicals for Beginners

Cindy Bishop

These mini lessons are very helpful. I now have more confidence to continue.

These mini lessons are very helpful. I now have more confidence to continue.

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5 star rating

Essential

Irene Cooper

So, so helpful. The colour matching section has transformed my work!

So, so helpful. The colour matching section has transformed my work!

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5 star rating

Snowdrops

Deb Starnes

I really enjoyed this tutorial. I opted to use a fine liner on this project and although I'm happy with the results, I will try painting it again without u...

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I really enjoyed this tutorial. I opted to use a fine liner on this project and although I'm happy with the results, I will try painting it again without using liner the next time.

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5 star rating

Evergreens & Berries

Louise La Rocque

I learned a so much about the card making process and Laura's excellent instructions are taking me step by step toward a watercolour painting that I can be p...

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I learned a so much about the card making process and Laura's excellent instructions are taking me step by step toward a watercolour painting that I can be proud of.

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5 star rating

Painting Watercolor Holly

Margaret Graham

This course is easy to follow with lots of detailed instruction. I particularly like the concept of the 3 step painting method, helping me organize the road...

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This course is easy to follow with lots of detailed instruction. I particularly like the concept of the 3 step painting method, helping me organize the roadmap to the final product.

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5 star rating

Rowan Tree Class - Such a fun project

Catherine Smith

What's not to like about painting wonderful red berries and interesting leaves and branches. Laura explains this project very clearly and it is easy to foll...

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What's not to like about painting wonderful red berries and interesting leaves and branches. Laura explains this project very clearly and it is easy to follow along with her. Such a satisfying way to spend a couple of hours.

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Stay Inspired by the Natural World

New botanical art videos, painting tips and nature journal inspiration, delivered to your inbox.

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