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Distance Learning Diploma Course

 

For many years, the Society has been aware of the need for a 'correspondence course', where students learn by working and practising on their own on set assignments, then have the work assessed by experienced Tutors.  From all over the world, including the UK, there has been frequent requests from aspirant botanical artists unable to attend a day, weekly or residential course, for whatever reasons, on the subject of how to learn botanical painting. 

 

When writing The Art of Botanical Painting, it became obvious that it would be an excellent textbook for distance learning, thus the Society's idea for a Distance Learning Diploma Course was born.

 

The Course is not for beginners in watercolour painting but rather for those with some knowledge of the subject and a wish to learn more about botanical art and its associated skills.  The Society’s aim is to develop those skills and help to create a good, well-rounded botanical painter.

The Course is open to students anywhere in the world and there are already students from the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Australia, The Netherlands, Italy, the USA, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, Greece, Sweden and France.  The Course lasts for 27 months and the fee includes a student subscription to the Society for the duration of the Course.

 

Students often ask whether they are good enough to be accepted on the Course.  Before application for registration, students will be asked to provide a colour print of their work so that the Course Director can assess their proficiency.

 

Students often have the goal of membership of the Society, which is a high aim, but those who gain a Distinction on the Course will be eligible for the fast-track membership method.

 

DipSBA or DipSBA(Dist) may be used after the student's name for those students who were awarded the Society's Diploma.

 

Prospectus

 

Each of the first twelve assignments, which will be expected to reach Tutors by a due date, will carry a mark which will accumulate towards the Course total.  The Diploma portfolio will comprise three additional pieces of work.  Students will post their work to their assigned Tutors and receive a copy of the Tutors Assessment Marks Sheet (TAMS) with the work when it is returned.  This will show a mark based on five key areas of assessment with a written critique of work giving advice, diagrams and colour notes as necessary.  Students will be able to telephone their Tutor at designated times throughout the Course.

 

In this way students will be able to take advantage of Tutors’ comments, act upon advice to amend or re-attempt part of the previous assignment, for their own satisfaction and to aid the learning process.

 

There will be a Seminar which will take place during the second year at the Annual Open Exhibition of the Society in London, when students can meet Tutors and each other, take the opportunity for social contact and discussion, show the Tutors amended work, talk about any difficulties and take part in practical demonstrations.

 

Students will be required to keep a sketchbook throughout the Course to do exercises, pencil studies, field studies, colour notes and charts, which will be scrutinised with the final three pieces of Diploma work.  Although it will not carry a separate mark its content will be considered as an indication of the student’s general ability and preparedness to do background exercises and sketches.

 

Tutors are all respected botanical artists and Members of the SBA with many years of experience in a variety of fields ranging from teaching, illustration, botany and commercial design.

 

Further Information

 

A prospectus, list of assignments, details about starting dates of Courses, application form, fees and payment arrangements, are downloadable as a PDF file here or by contacting the Society.

 

News

 

 

The Graduation Ceremony for Course 3 was held during the Annual Open Exhibition at Westminster Central Hall on 18 April 2008 when once again family and friends looked on proudly as Diplomas were awarded by President and Course Director, Margaret Stevens.

 

The Special Award for Excellence went to Mary Ann Scott from Italy, who also received a Diploma with Distinction. Other Distinctions were awarded to Patricia Luppino of the USA, Angela Martin, UK and Kate Steele, UK.

 

Two graduates qualified for the Jantien Burggraaff Award given to students who made the most progress throughout the Course: Penny Birnstingl of Switzerland and Jane Goodson, UK.

 

Images of some of the Diploma Portfolio artwork are shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those interested in Course 7 to commence in January 2010 should register by completing the registration form attached to the prospectus.

 

Applications for Course 7 close on 15 October 2009.

 

 

Note: in order to read the PDF file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Adobe® Reader® 7.0.8 please click on the image below to download it to your computer.