Tutor: John Wiltshire
Date: 23 June 2026
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Cost: £85
Location: Classroom


On this beginners’ course, you will explore watercolour techniques and make an observational painting in the Botanic Garden. You will be guided through the basics of watercolour technique with simple and effective demonstrations to experience and learn how it works with professional painter, John Wiltshire. By the end of the day, you may surprise yourself with what you can achieve with the right materials and some practical tips to boost your confidence with watercolour. Materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring any materials that you would prefer to use.

Suitable for complete beginners

Tutor: Susie Turner
Date: Thursday 02 July 2026 - Friday 03 July 2026
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Cost: £170
Location: Classroom


Discover the historic photographic process of cyanotype printing in this two-day workshop. You’ll learn how to create striking blue-and-white prints using your own photographs, drawings, and pressed plant material. Guidance on preparing artwork in advance will be provided. On the first day, you’ll create test prints to understand timing and exposure with both sunlight and UV light. You will learn how to mix the cyanotype sensitiser solution and to individually coat suitable paper before producing your own unique botanical compositions.

Day two will build on these foundations, introducing creative techniques such as masking and double exposures. We will be looking at the cyanotypes of Anna Atkins as inspiration; a rare copy of her book ‘Sun Gardens’ will be available to look through. On the second day, there will also be an opportunity to make cyanotypes on supplied blueprint fabric pieces. Cyanotype is a simple, accessible, and rewarding process. Some standing and movement between indoor and outdoor areas is involved. Aprons and household gloves are recommended, as the sensitiser solution may stain clothing.

No previous experience is required

Tutor: Emma James
Date: Thursday 12 November 2026 - Friday 13 November 2026
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Cost: £170
Location: Classroom


Capture the Garden’s rich textures and seasonal colours in this creative two-day printmaking workshop. You will begin by exploring the Garden to gather photographs and sketches. Back in the Classroom, you will transform your images into a linocut design — carving, inking, and printing your work in a single colour. You’ll then learn how to combine printmaking with watercolour painting and tissue paper chine collé to add colour and new shapes to your print.
Materials and some tools will be available to use, but you will need your own set of lino cutting tools, as well as a box or folder to take away your prints.

The course is suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience of linocut techniques. The course requires fine motor skills, including the ability to use a lino tool and craft knife to cut lino.

Tutor: Ian Olsson
Date: Tuesday 08 September 2026
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Cost: £85
Location: Classroom


Move from a quick snap in fully auto mode to creating beautiful photos you would love to print and hang on the wall! Join Cambridge-based professional photographer Ian Olsson for a fun, interactive workshop to learn all about phone photography and editing. Including a walk around the Garden to take your own photos, which you can then edit during the session.

Suitable for Android and iPhone.

Tutor: Susie Turner
Date: Wednesday 04 November 2026
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Cost: £85
Location: Classroom


This one-day workshop will introduce you to the simple technique of monoprinting with leaves. Using collected and pressed leaves from the Botanic Garden, you will learn how to make unique, colourful handmade prints using non-porous plates, a small etching press and artist quality printing inks. There will be opportunities to print onto both pre-dampened printing paper and samples of fabric.

The technique is very easy to learn and no previous experience is necessary.

Tutor: John Wiltshire
Date: Tuesday 02 June 2026 - Wednesday 03 June 2026
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Cost: £155
Location: Classroom


On this two-day course in oil painting technique, professional artist John Wiltshire will demonstrate techniques and approaches to oil painting in the open air. With enough time to create your own painting this is a rare opportunity to work in the beautiful, historic setting of the Botanic Garden and explore oil painting over an extended period. Use the techniques of ‘il primatura’ and ‘a la prima’ painting and expect to learn some of the ‘tricks of the trade’ that will enhance and accelerate your own painting so that you will come away with practical insight into how to develop as a painter. Materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring any materials that you would prefer to use.

This course is suitable for beginners or those looking to improve their painting technique.

Tutor: Emma James
Date: Tuesday 29 September 2026 - Wednesday 30 September 2026
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Cost: £170
Location: Classroom


Celebrate the beauty of autumn in this two-day printmaking workshop inspired by the colours and textures of the season. Begin by exploring the Garden to sketch and photograph autumnal scenes, gathering inspiration for your own linocut design. Guided by the tutor, you’ll plan, carve, and print a three-layer reduction linocut, capturing the rich tones of your chosen scene. Materials and some tools will be available to use, but you will need to bring your own set of lino cutting tools, as well as a box or folder to take away your prints.

The course is suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience of linocut techniques. Fine motor skills are required, along with the ability to safely use a lino tool and craft knife to cut lino.