Free Visual Reference Guide for Botanical Watercolor

Learn to use visual references in botanical watercolor with this guide shared by illustrator Luli Reis

In botanical illustration, besides observation, it is very important to wisely choose the visual reference you will use in your projects.

Whether it's a real plant or a high-resolution photo, some care must be taken so that you can reproduce a fruit, flower or plant with fidelity and details that add layers of realism and meaning.

Luli Reis (@lulireis), a Brazilian visual artist and illustrator, seeks to convey her love and admiration for botanical life through expressive watercolor compositions.

In her creative process, visual references play an essential role in the task of expressing and reproducing the enchantment present in nature.

To teach you how to look for visual references for botanical watercolor projects, Luli shares a guide with practical tips and examples that will give your creations some incredible details.

But first, know a bit more about the history of botanical illustration.

The History of Botanical Illustration

Flowers are part of our planet, our society and our culture. We use them to say “sorry”, “I love you”, “get well” and “goodbye”. They decorate notebooks, clothing and houses, and are probably one of the first things we learn to draw, perhaps before we learn to write.

But, although it seems like humans always painted flowers, botanical illustration actually began relatively recently. In fact, you could say that practically no plants were painted for most of human history. How did this lovely discipline start? And what do the flowers we have painted say about us?

Watch the video to find out!

Visual Reference Guide for Botanical Watercolor

With this guide you will be able to understand the importance of visual references, optimal lighting and positioning and you’ll also find monochromatic exercises to improve your watercolor technique.

By clicking on the button below, a file in .pdf format will appear in the Downloads folder of your computer, with the Visual Reference Guide for Botanical Watercolor, by Luli Reis.

If you want to learn more, you can sign up to Luli’s course Botanical Watercolor: Illustrate the Anatomy of Flowers and learn how to create a botanical plate with the shapes, colors, and textures of plants.

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