Beginner’s Botanical Watercolor
In Sarasota, where tropical growth spills over garden walls and flowers seem to announce themselves at every turn, botanical watercolor offers a way to look more closely.
By Edit Sarasota Staff
In Sarasota, where tropical growth spills over garden walls and flowers seem to announce themselves at every turn, botanical watercolor offers a way to look more closely. A leaf becomes an exercise in geometry; a petal, a study in light. Beginner’s Botanical Watercolor invites participants to slow down and translate that living abundance onto paper, with guidance designed to make the process welcoming rather than intimidating.
The hands-on workshop centers on the foundational techniques that give watercolor its particular sense of atmosphere: washes, blending, layering, and the careful handling of tonal values. Students will explore how light and shadow shape a flower, how delicate textures can be suggested with a few considered marks, and how vibrant botanical color can emerge gradually through transparent layers. Basic drawing tips are part of the class, but this is not a drawing-heavy session. Tracings will be available, allowing participants to begin painting right away and focus on observation, color, and the pleasure of experimentation.
The setting adds meaning to the practice. At Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, plant life is not simply ornamental; it is central to Sarasota’s cultural and environmental identity. The gardens function as a place of research, education, conservation, and quiet discovery, connecting the city’s creative life with the ecosystems that define the region. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the Gardens before class, and portions of the workshop may take place outdoors. Weather-conscious clothing and anything needed for comfort outside are recommended.
Leading the class is Cris Godoy, a botanical watercolor artist and instructor whose work and teaching have taken her across Europe, Asia, South America, and Florida. Her approach is informed by the high standards of the Society of Botanical Artists in the United Kingdom, but her classroom philosophy is notably approachable: watercolor as a creative adventure and an invitation to pay attention. Through patient layering and expressive color, Godoy encourages students to consider not only what a plant looks like, but also its rhythm, structure, and vitality.
All materials and supplies are included in the tuition, though participants may bring preferred tools of their own. General admission to the Gardens is included as well. Beginner’s Botanical Watercolor takes place Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. Questions may be directed to programs-classes@selby.org.