FAQ's

Students work and practise at home on their own on our set assignments, then the work is physically posted to our experienced tutors who assess, mark and critique the work, offering professional advice and feedback. It is far superior to physically assess artwork rather than digitally to properly see the work in reality; to be able to see the actual subtle tones, texture, detail and colours in the work, the tutors will be able to give better and truthful feedback on the work submitted. No forehand tuition is undertaken on the course but you will receive useful text books in the Course materials and there are helpful demonstration videos available on the student area of the website. There are also practical demonstrations at the in-person Introductory meeting and seminar. It’s important to note that the course is not an online course but there will be online meetings via Zoom.

Each assignment is expected to reach the designated tutor by a due date. Each subject is carefully chosen to improve the student’s ability in all areas of botanical art, illustration and design. Marks are awarded for each assignment as an indication of the student’s developing ability, and together with the accompanying critique or Tutors Assessment Mark Sheet (TAMS) enables each student to see which areas need to be improved upon. The TAMS show 10 key areas of assessment and the Tutors will include advice, diagrams and colour notes as necessary. Each module counts towards the total marks for the course. Having completed the 12 assignments, students submit 3 final Diploma Portfolio pieces on specific subjects. Modular assessment of the 12 assignments, 3 Diploma pieces and an essay will determine the grade of the Diploma.

For the course, you will need to dedicate around 15 hours a week or more if you can, for assignment planning, research, sketching and painting. The course does require commitment and dedication to the genre of botanical art and illustration.

Some experience with watercolour or colour pencil is needed for the course and it is recommended that complete beginners in these mediums undertake a foundational course before applying for the Diploma. The SBA are starting a new Foundation Certificate course to begin next February 2027. It’ll run for 10 months and be an entry into the world of botanical art before starting on the Diploma.

Please see the Foundation Course Page for more information.

For the Diploma, you will be asked to submit two samples of work to assess your ability before acceptance on the diploma. They must be your best work in the medium you wish to take the course in so either watercolour or coloured pencil.

Over 27 months, you will need to produce 12 set assignments, a final diploma portfolio of 3 works and an essay of 2500 words on a set chosen subject. The essay can be started at any time in the course.

The cost of postage is not included in the course so it is advisable to research costs of postage of your assignments to your tutor. The return postage of work is covered in the course fee. Some assignments can be submitted digitally if you prefer –  (assignment 6, 7, 12 and the essay). If you do run into trouble with posting your assignments, you’d need to contact the Course Director for alternative options.

Click here for : DLDC Course 24 prospectus & costs

We do offer an instalment plan to help with the costs of the course*

The course fee includes the student subscription to the Society for the period until graduation. After that there will be a free year of Graduate membership because it is hoped that graduates will use that year to consolidate their learning from the Diploma and use it as an opportunity to consider how they might develop themselves further as an artist, and perhaps apply for Fellow membership of the Society.

*For those with a UK bank account, course fees can be paid by a deposit of about a third followed by 18 instalments payable monthly by standing order. For those outside the UK, the whole amount can be paid or an individual arrangement may be negotiated: usually, a deposit of about a third with less frequent instalments because of the higher bank charges.

Students may email their specific tutors for guidance and advice on each assignment and telephone some of the tutors at designated times.

There is a student area of this website which features demonstration videos, Powerpoint presentations, SBA magazines and talks. The website has just been updated (June 2026).

As SBA members, students will also receive SBA printed magazines and Mailchimp emails with news and information from time to time. Students can also join an official private DLDC Facebook group to meet each other and form a community.

Unless clearly stated within an assignment, students are expected to choose from 3 mediums only: watercolours, coloured pencils or gouache and work in that one medium through the course. The medium cannot be changed after the course has started. This is done so as to fully concentrate on the medium. There is the opportunity to work in some mixed media in assignment 10 and also to try gouache for assignment 5. Assignments 1 and 2 are completed in graphite and pen.

There is the option for some students to work on Kelmscott vellum for assignments 3 and 4.

Early in the first year, an Introductory meeting is held in January and a mid-course seminar will take place during the second year, both in London. The seminar and graduation ceremonies will be held at the Mall Galleries if this is in a year that a Plantae exhibition is running (the next year for it to run is 2027). Each occasion provides an ideal opportunity to meet other students, tutors, ask questions and watch practical demonstrations. We will also have Zoom meetings around these times for students who cannot make the in person meetings.

A private student official DLDC Facebook group is available to join for student interaction, to ask for guidance and to provide a community.

Tutors are all highly respected botanical artists and Fellows of the SBA with many years of experience in a variety of fields ranging from teaching, illustration, botany and commercial design. See the tutor page…

To date, we have not run into any issues regarding this and we have cohorts from all around the world, from every continent. You may find that a good quality translation app would be helpful and always remember to contact tutors for clarification on assignments.

For the written essay assignment, appropriate allowance will be made and it will be judged on content and understanding rather than grammar, if you are outside of the UK.

Course 24 entry has been extended! You will need to complete the application form on the DLDC page via the ‘Apply Now’ tile and submit it with 2 images before the deadline date of October the 21st 2026 for Course 24.

If you would rather post your application directly to the Course Director, please  download the form here.

The course is not capped so if you have any trouble applying please email courseadmin@soc-botanical-artists.org 

Any further questions? please do contact admin on the above email.