About

Hi, I’m Laura

Botanical Artist • Instructor • Founder of The Watercolor Garden

I’m a botanical artist, instructor and founder of The Watercolor Garden, based on beautiful Vancouver Island, Canada. I believe you don’t have to be an experienced artist to begin capturing the natural world in watercolor. Sometimes it starts with something much simpler. A flower you notice on a walk. An interesting leaf. A photograph you take because you want to remember what you saw. I created The Watercolor Garden to help you take those little moments of inspiration and turn them into something beautiful on paper.

I’ve always been someone who notices plants

My fascination with the natural world eventually led me to formal training in botanical painting, earning a Diploma with Distinction from London Art College and a Diploma with credit in Botanical Painting from the Society of Botanical Artists in the UK. But some of my most important learning has happened outside the studio. My work with plants has taken me into the field throughout British Columbia, from rare plant surveys to exploring forests, grasslands and northern ecosystems. Those experiences taught me to look closely. To notice the curve of a leaf, subtle shifts of colour, the way plants change through the seasons and all the tiny details we can so easily walk past.

From noticing to painting

One of the things I love most about botanical art is that it gives us a reason to pay attention. You might begin by noticing something growing beside a trail. You take a photograph, make a quick sketch or bring the memory home with you. Then comes the wonderfully satisfying part. You sit down with your paints and turn what you discovered into something of your own. This is the idea behind the Botanical Diary and the philosophy at the heart of The Watercolor Garden. Notice. Draw. Paint. Write. Over time, those individual paintings and observations become something much bigger. They become a record of the seasons, the places you love and your own growth as an artist.

You can learn to paint what you see

Botanical painting can look incredibly complicated when you see a finished piece. I know how easy it is to wonder: Where would I even start? That’s exactly why I teach the way I do. I break botanical painting into approachable steps so that instead of trying to recreate an entire complicated subject at once, you learn how to observe it, simplify it and gradually build your painting. You don’t need dozens of supplies or years of experience. You need a good starting point, some guidance and something in nature that makes you want to look a little closer.

Welcome to The Watercolor Garden

I created The Watercolor Garden as a place where you can build your watercolor skills while developing your own creative relationship with the natural world. Inside you’ll find step by step botanical watercolor classes, seasonal Botanical Diary projects, drawing and painting lessons, printable guides and other resources to help you capture the plants and natural treasures you discover throughout the year. Some artists come because they want to learn watercolor. Others want to start a Botanical Diary, become more confident drawing plants or simply make more time to notice nature and create. Wherever you’re starting, my goal is to help you move from I wish I could paint that to I painted that.

Explore The Watercolor Garden

From The Watercolor Garden

members are getting results

Excellent

Louise La Rocque

I like that all the materials are clearly laid out and explained. It's also good for me that I can go back and watch a lesson as often as I need to, in o...

I like that all the materials are clearly laid out and explained. It's also good for me that I can go back and watch a lesson as often as I need to, in order to understand the information provided. This gives me time to figure what I may have on hand and what else I may want to get to move forward.

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Brilliant

Irene Cooper

This really improved my work. I love the way in which the process is broken down into easily achievable steps. Thankyou Laura

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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...

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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Pink Fawn Lily

Julie Innis

A most enjoyable exercise - Thank you Laura. I really enjoy Line and Wash exercises.

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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...

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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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...

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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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...

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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Botanicals for Beginners

Cindy Bishop

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

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View my botanical art portfolio

Over the years, I’ve created several bodies of botanical artwork inspired by the plants, landscapes and natural places I’ve encountered throughout British Columbia. My portfolio brings together a selection of these collections and individual works, from detailed botanical studies to paintings inspired by my time exploring and working in the field.

View My Work

A new chapter

I’m currently working on my first botanical watercolor book with a major U.K based publishing house. The book is inspired by the beautiful work of Edith Holden and her Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. The book will explore Edith’s seasonal observations, writing and artwork while showing you how to create a country diary of your own. Alongside her work, I’ll guide you through step by step projects inspired by the changing seasons, helping you notice, record and paint the natural world around you. It brings together so many of the things that have shaped my own creative practice, and I’m very excited to share it with you.

Come paint with me

These days, much of my inspiration comes from exploring Vancouver Island, noticing what is changing with the seasons, photographing little discoveries and bringing them home to paint. And that’s really what I hope The Watercolor Garden encourages you to do too. To notice more. To become curious. To make time to create. And to experience that wonderful little moment when you look down at the page and realize: I painted that.

Explore The Watercolor Garden