Learn the art of painting realistic fruit in watercolour in this inspiring workshop led by award-winning botanical artist Shevaun Doherty. This hands-on course is designed for anyone interested in botanical illustration, watercolour techniques, and nature-inspired art.
In this six-session workshop, students will explore how to capture the vibrant colours, delicate textures, and natural forms of fruit using traditional watercolour painting techniques. Through step-by-step demonstrations and guided practice, participants will learn how to apply washes, glazes, and dry brush techniques to achieve depth, luminosity, and realism in their paintings.
The workshop focuses on colour mixing, layering, tonal values, and observational drawing, helping students understand how light interacts with surfaces to create highlights, shadows, and reflections.
Participants will also gain practical knowledge about selecting the best watercolour paints, brushes, and paper for botanical art.
Whether you are a beginner exploring watercolour painting or an artist looking to improve your botanical illustration skills, this friendly and supportive class offers the perfect opportunity to develop your artistic abilities while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Creative colour mixing and layering techniques
How to paint realistic fruit textures and three-dimensional forms
Understanding tonal values: highlights, reflected light, and cast shadows
Essential watercolour techniques including washes, glazing, and dry brush
Choosing the right materials for botanical watercolour painting
By participating in this botanical watercolour workshop, students will develop the fundamental skills required to create realistic nature studies.
Participants will learn how to apply essential watercolour painting techniques, including washes, glazing, layering, and dry brush methods, to produce detailed botanical illustrations. The course will help students improve their colour mixing skills, allowing them to create vibrant and natural fruit colours through careful observation and layering.
Students will also learn how to represent three-dimensional form and surface texture by understanding light, shadow, and tonal values. Special attention will be given to identifying highlights, reflected light, and cast shadows to create depth and realism. In addition, participants will gain practical knowledge about selecting appropriate paints, brushes, and paper for botanical watercolour work, enabling them to continue developing their artistic practice beyond the workshop.
By the end of this workshop, participants will have developed greater confidence in painting realistic botanical subjects using watercolour. They will understand how to build colour gradually through layering, control tonal values, and apply techniques such as glazing and dry brush to create detailed and vibrant fruit studies.
Students will strengthen their observational drawing and painting skills, allowing them to translate natural forms into expressive and accurate artwork. They will also gain practical experience in choosing suitable art materials for botanical painting and learn how to approach nature as an artistic subject.
Most importantly, the workshop aims to inspire participants to continue exploring watercolour painting and botanical art, encouraging creativity, patience, and a deeper appreciation of nature’s beauty.
Course Language: English
Schedule: Tuesdays | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Fee for 6 sessions (18 hours): 360 AED 360 AED
Fee for one session (3 hours): 60 AED
The course will be recorded, and the videos will be available two weeks after the course is completed.
Workshop Dates:
April: 7, 14, 21, 28
May: 5, 12
Shevaun Doherty is an award-winning botanical artist from Ireland, specialising in watercolour painting on paper and vellum. Her work is distinguished by its remarkable ability to capture the beauty of nature with extraordinary precision, combining careful scientific observation with artistic expression.
Shevaun has designed four sets of Flora and Fauna postage stamps for Ireland, and her work has been exhibited at the National Gallery of Ireland. She is internationally recognised for her contribution to the development and promotion of botanical art.
She currently teaches at the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation, where she shares her expertise and passion for painting and nature with her students, encouraging them to develop their artistic skills and discover the beauty of the natural world through art.
Recommended Materials List (Online Class) – المواد التي تحتاجونها لهاذي الدورة
Some supplies are available to buy at the school. Links to UAE shopping included
below
Pencils: Graphite pencils 2H, H, B
Eraser: Soft putty eraser (Faber Castell isthe best)
Vinyl eraser (Tombow Mono Eraser is brilliant)
Magnifier: Handheld or clip on
Brushes: A brush with a good point on the tip is
essential.
Watercolour round brushes (sizes 0,2,4) Sable or
synthetic
This is a good starter set as it has both round brushes
(for detail) and flat brushes (for broad washes and
blending) https://socofujairah.shop/products/fuumuui-
sable-travel-watercolor-brushes-3-pcs-copy
The Fuumuui Professional Sable Detail brushes are
excellent. These are the ones that I use often.
https://socofujairah.shop/products/fuumuui-sable-
travel-watercolor-brushes-6-pcs-copy
Watercolour Paper: Hot Press Watercolour paper
300gsm isthe best for botanical art as it is very smooth.
Look for HP on the front.
This paper looks good https://amzn.eu/d/00cHb9wM
Tracing paper
Palette: White tile or plate is perfect for mixing colours.
Lint-free Cloth, Paper towel, Water dropper, tape
Watercolour Paints – The school sells a set of Schmincke
paints which is a great starter kit.
https://socofujairah.shop/products/schmincke-horadam-
12-half-pans-and-brush
Every week we will paint a different fruit. Please have a selection of the fruit available to paint for the class.
Below is my list of recommended paints. I use Winsor & Newton and Schmincke, but any good brand is
acceptable. Always buy Artist Quality (pan or tubes).
The ones marked with an asterisk are the most useful.
Yellow:
*Lemon Yellow (Nickel
Titanate)
*Winsor Yellow
*Winsor Lemon
Naples yellow or Holbein Jaune
Brilliant no.1
Indian Yellow
Orange:
*Winsor Orange
Winsor Orange-
Red
Red:
*Permanent Rose
*Scarlet Lake
*Quinacridone Magenta
Quinacridone Red
Perylene Maroon
Earth
Colours
Raw Sienna
Raw
Umber
Quinacridone Gold
Green:
*Perylene Green
Transparent Yellow
Blue:
*Manganese Hue
*Indanthrene
Blue Paynes
Grey
Purple:
*Cobalt Violet
*Perylene
Violet Winsor
Violet
Optional
Designers White
Gouache
SOCO STORE- https://socofujairah.shop
UAE Art Shops-
Creative Minds https://creativemindsdubai.com/collections/watercolor-paint/products/60297
https://creativemindsdubai.com/collections/watercolor-paint/products/143908
Almasam https://almasam.ae/products/daler-rowney-artists-watercolour-miniature-box
AMAZON UAE: Winsor & Newton Cotman (student) paints https://amzn.eu/d/088
Fees: AED 720 – AED 840Price range: 60,00 د.إ through 360,00 د.إ
