JACKIE ISARD BOTANICALS
BOTANICAL & NATURE ARTIST
“Hold nature in your hand and take a look at the intricate beauty within. Treasure our wildflowers and pollinators. It's so easy to just walk by.....” Jackie Isard
BIOGRAPHY
Jackie Isard (BA Hons) SBA Fellow CBM
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“Botanical illustration has been a passion of mine since I first took up the paint brush only a few years ago. My journey so far has been inspiring, rewarding and immensely satisfying. As I stroll through nature I see a whole new world opening up to me, the beauty of which words cannot describe but I hasten to say, it fills my heart and soul with a great deal of joy.”
Jackie graduated with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design from Ravensbourne University in 1989. This was her career until a few years ago when she tried her hand at Botanical painting, now her present career. She is a self-taught artist passionate about flowering plants, nature wildflowers and pollinators. Painting the beauty of decaying plants is also one of her fortes. In her work she spends a great deal of time researching her subjects and studying their botany under a microscope to ensure she paints true botanical form. Her work is always very detailed and she strives for accuracy.
Jackie is at present working on an RHS exhibition entry based on Wet Meadow Wildflowers. Jackie is passionate about wildflowers, pollinators and nature preservation which is why she chose this theme for her RHS exhibition. Follow her RHS journey blog https://jibotanicals.com/. The most recent blog post is https://jibotanicals.com/2019/11/05/blog-18-rhs-research-journey-2019/
Jackie began running workshops in 2017 and online courses in 2018 as she loves to teach! Her courses are listed below. After she has completed her RHS exhibition paintings, which she hopes to exhibit in 2021, Jackie will be launching more online courses/workshops and be more available to teach.
“I have a great love for nature and flowering plants, especially our native wildflowers. I am passionate about the protection of our declining meadows and the survival of our beloved bees.”
ACHIEVEMENTS 2014-2019
In 2014-2015 Jackie studied Garden Design and was awarded a Distinction. After doing this course her passion for plants and nature began.
Since 2016 Jackie has been recognised by the Society of Botanical Artists (SBA) and exhibited with them.
In 2016 Jackie was accepted by the Royal Horticultural Society to exhibit and is at present working on a project to exhibit in 2021.
In 2017 Jackie was awarded a CBM (Certificate of Botanical Merit) for her painting ‘Vessels of Life’ exhibited at the SBA show in London.
In 2017 Jackie started teaching Botanical and Nature watercolour courses at venues in Bristol and at the University Bristol Botanic Gardens in 2018. Jackie very much enjoys teaching and the rewards it brings. “I like to think I inspire, encourage and give confidence to my students!”.
Jackie launched two online courses in 2018 and intends to add to these in 2020.
In 2018 her painting of Origanum marjorana was featured in the book ‘The Illustrated College Herbal – Plants from the Pharmacopoea Londinensis of 1618’ organised and published by Jane Knowles, Henry Oakley and Gillian Barlow.
In 2019 Jackie was awarded Full membership with the SBA becoming an SBA Fellow.
In 2019 Jackie was awarded the Margaret Granger Memorial Award for her Faded Protea neriifolia 'Snowcrest' painting at the SBA exhibition, Mall Galleries, London.
AWARDS
Certificate of Botanical Merit - 2017
Margaret Granger Memorial Award - 2019
SBA Full Fellow Membership awarded - 2019
MEMBERSHIPS
ASBA (American Society of Botanical Artists)
SBA (Society of Botanical Artists)
FACEBOOK & BLOG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackieisardbotanicalnaturepainting/
GALLERY
A SELECTION OF JACKIE'S PAINTINGS
COMMISSIONS, TUITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS
Contact Jackie for more information
TUITION
EVERY MONDAY NIGHT
I run a regular Saturday group in Bristol and workshops at various venues in the South West of UK. I am happy to travel within the UK and abroad if required. To register for any of the following courses, please contact me at jackieisard@googlemail.com or call 07813 864472.
COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
A pdf version of the Brackenwood venue courses is available on this link
Fine Detail & Finishing Techniques - 2 day course
Consecutive Saturdays - 22nd & 29th February 2020 10-4pm £80 (BPAB Members £60)
Brackenwood Plant & Garden Centre, Pill Rd, Bristol BS8 3RA
Experienced watercolour painters
See https://facebook.com/events/s/fine-detail-finishing-techniqu/818439605248274/?ti=cl for more details
Advanced Colour Mixing - CANCELLED due to COVID virus
2nd May 2020 10-4pm £40 (BPAB Members £30)
Brackenwood Plant & Garden Centre, Pill Rd, Bristol BS8 3RA
Experienced watercolour painters
See https://facebook.com/events/s/advanced-watercolour-mixing-wi/3269970769740384/?ti=cl for more details
Painting Butterflies & Moths - 2 day course
Consecutive Saturdays - 5th & 12th September 2020 10-4pm £80 (BPAB Members £60)
Brackenwood Plant & Garden Centre, Pill Rd, Bristol BS8 3RA
Watercolour experienced needed. Intermediate and experienced welcome
See https://facebook.com/events/s/painting-butterflies-moths/619955545479728/?ti=cl for more details
Painting Autumn Colours - 2 day course
Consecutive Saturdays - 17th & 24th October 2020 10-4pm £80 (BPAB Members £60)
Brackenwood Plant & Garden Centre, Pill Rd, Bristol BS8 3RA
Watercolour experienced needed. Intermediate and experienced welcome
See https://facebook.com/events/s/painting-autumn-colours/548747205678236/?ti=cl for more details
Follow on Day - 1 day course
31st October 2020 10-4pm £40 (BPAB Members £30)
Brackenwood Plant & Garden Centre, Pill Rd, Bristol BS8 3RA
Beginners and experienced welcome
See https://facebook.com/events/s/follow-on-day/2907336129278804/?ti=cl for more details
Painting Seashells - 2 day course
Consecutive Saturdays - 14th & 21st November 2020 10-4pm £80 (BPAB Members £60)
Brackenwood Plant & Garden Centre, Pill Rd, Bristol BS8 3RA
Watercolour experienced needed. Intermediate and experienced welcome
See https://facebook.com/events/s/painting-seashells/458440814848420/?ti=cl for more details
NEW Saturday morning regular group tuition - SOME DATES CANCELLED due to COVID virus, March, April and May - Let's hope June onwards will be ok.
Brackenwood Plant & Garden Centre, Pill Rd, Bristol BS8 3RA
10am -1pm - £25
Beginners and experienced welcome
Relocated from my home studio to Brackenwood - Private tuition in a small friendly group for botanical and nature watercolour. Demonstrations and one-one tuition. Amazing cafe and access to plants. Regular Saturday sessions 10-1pm.
First session 20th June, all dates below. Email me to join
2020
June - 20th, 27th
July - 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
August - 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
September - 19th, 26th
October - 3rd, 10th
November - 7th, 28th
December 5th weather permitting!
Return 2021 February 21st, all annual dates tbc
OTHER VENUE COURSES
Fine Detail & Finishing Techniques - 2 day course TO BE ADVISED (Covid stopped play!) GSBI Churchdown Community Centre, GL3 2JH (upstairs room) 10am-4pm
Experienced watercolour painters
BOOK directly with the GSBI (Gloucester Society for Botanical Illustration)
See https://facebook.com/events/s/fine-detail-finishing-techniqu/818439605248274/?ti=cl for more details
ONLINE COURSES
UK and International students are welcome. The slightly higher price for internationals is only due to postage costs.
ONLINE Mixing Watercolour Accurately Course for Botanical - £105UK/£115 Internationals
For Beginners to Intermediate.
Colour mixing can be tricky. This course teaches you the skills to 'see' colour and mix watercolour more accurately for Botanical painting.
Link to Course outline pdf
For more details please see the following links below:
https://jibotanicals.com/2019/03/20/blog-15-online-course-mixing-colour-accurately-for-watercolour-using-primaries/
ONLINE Paint a Peacock Butterfly Course - £75UK /£85 Internationals
£15 of every fee will be donated to Butterfly Conservation until April 2020! (£5 for international purchases)
Love butterflies? This course teaches you how to master the detail and paint your very own beautiful Peacock Butterfly.
Watercolour painting experience is required.
Link to Course outline pdf
For more details please see the following links below:
https://jibotanicals.com/2018/08/07/blog-14-paint-a-peacock-butterfly-new-online-course-january-2019/
ONLINE Fine Details & Finishing Techniques Course - £125 UK & Internationals
NEW! Fine Details & Finishing techniques Online course starts 24th April! (You can join at any time, this is an ongoing course)
Watercolour painting experience is required. Intermediate standard.
Link to Course outline pdf
There will be extensive course notes which contain lots of useful tips and techniques for you to learn. You will practice these, with full guidance, and at the end of the course paint your own small chosen subject. Appraisals are done every step of the way. The course includes helpful advice on colour mixing and application too. Video tutorials and a Secret Facebook Student Group. Helpful and friendly tuition all through the course. Full appraisal and certificate at the end of the course. Look out for the event listing on my Jackie Isard Botanicals Facebook page or sign up to the student list now. Please contact me to register jackieisard@googlemail.com
COMING SOON!...
ONLINE Advanced Mixing Watercolour Accurately for Botanical Course
£125UK/£135 Internationals
This course is planned to start later this year, hopefully September/October. It will cover more advanced mixing techniques using primaries, layering for vibrance and depth, colour enhancement, colour temperature transition - warm to cool, botanical greys and how to create those tricky shadows. (You can join at any time, this is an ongoing course)
Experience is required. Intermediate standard.
Keep a look out.... More will be launched in 2020!
JOIN THE MAIL LIST
We will not, in any circumstances, share your personal information with other individuals or organisations without your permission, including public organisations, businesses, corporations or other individuals.
We do not tolerate spam.
For enquiries and other business please email me at:
jackieisard@googlemail.com
or call me on 07813 864472
SLIDESHOW GALLERY
Award winning 'Vessels of Life'
Watercolour
CBM - Ceritifcate of Botanical Merit
ONLINE STUDENT REVIEWS
A few from students who have completed the
Online Colour Course
“If the mind, soul and eyes can truly 'see' colour,
the paintbrush will reveal all the beautiful hues of nature” Jackie Isard
“I wanted to learn from Jackie the day I first saw a pic of her painting on FB. Her painting was highly detailed and showed a certain sensitivity to colour. Fortunately for me, Jackie announced an online course a few days later. I paid up for the ‘Mixing colour accurately course’ but was a bit skeptical of learning online. Having completed the course, my doubts stand dispelled. The course content, the exercises and the patient online appraisal of the exercises by Jackie, all made for good learning. I recommend the course to anyone on a tight budget. It has taught me a structured way to test a colour and it’s mixing possibilities.” Raashmi
“Mixing colour accurately is exactly what this course has taught me and a most enjoyable process too. Very much a novice, the notes were clear and easy to follow. The feedback was prompt and very helpful. All in all – Brilliant, Thanks Jackie” Sylvia
“At last! I now approach colour mixing in a more organised and knowledgeable way. I now search for ‘many’ colours within a plant and have gained the confidence to closely match them. This course should be compulsory for all Botanical artists. Jackie is a knowledgeable and encouraging tutor who responds quickly to your questions and posts on the dedicated group page.” Christine
“Thank you for the very clear instructions, I read them all and watch all the videos, they are all very useful and easy to follow. Jackie Isard you are great artist and a great teacher too!” Mari
“I am very pleased with this course! After all the exercises and tasks, I finally began to see colour and understand how to mix it. I liked the fact that I had not only charts of colours but even in the end practical tasks for a better understanding of colour on real leaves and flowers. Separately it will highlight the fact that Jackie responded very quickly to questions and supported me throughout the course. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn how to mix watercolour accurately for botanical” Svitlana
“The course material for this colour mixing course is structured, interesting and clear. The exercises explained well and the extra videos and Facebook group tips are a bonus. I have learned to look further than ‘first sight’ when looking at a plant. A green leaf is not just green but a myriad of green tones and hues. What I most appreciated was Jackie’s personal support and the speedy replies with appraisal. It is an important motivator when working online.” Hilde
“Jackie this has been a challenge for me but with your kindness and patience, I got there. Not just achieving the completion of the course, but having learned so much along the way - As a complete beginner I gained experience in holding the brush, the amount of pigment to water to use and the joy of colour alchemy. You have inspired me to work harder and move forward. Thank you so much.” Susan
“Thank you Jackie for providing such an invaluable guide to accurately matching colour for anyone wishing to improve their botanical watercolour painting. You explained how to look at a plant and identify correctly which pigments to choose, how to mix and apply them to achieve the best results. I welcomed your feedback, offering expert advice and guidance when required, helping me gain confidence in my abilities at each step of the way through the well structured lessons. Thank you again, I look forward to participating in further courses with you” Vicky
For more information about this course go to:
https://jibotanicals.com/2019/03/20/blog-15-online-course-mixing-colour-accurately-for-watercolour-using-primaries/
WORKSHOP STUDENT REVIEWS
A few from students who have completed venue courses
“I always learn a lot from your courses and wish I could do more of them” Fiona
“Excellent teaching, lots of assistance and helpful demonstrations” Margaret
“I really enjoyed being guided step-by-step through the stages which filled in all the gaps in my own knowledge of the techniques covered. Thank you Jackie! Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of today. It has been very insightful and you're a fantastic teacher” Lauren
“Thank you for the tuition that helps us all progress and the friendly way you encourage everyone along” Freda
“Loved the teaching and learning a new way of painting - you were really encouraging and inspiring” Holly
“I really liked the format of this 'Follow on Day'. I was able to discuss my current work and Jackie helped me to solve my problems. Thanks Jackie for all your excellent suggestions.” Ann
“I learn so much every time! Jackie has a lovely teaching style. Helpful and encouraging. I always grasp new techniques.” Fran
For more details about my above courses please see the following links. See above for listing. To register, just contact me!
A selection of workshop photos...
'Purple Princess'
Centaurea scabiosa
Greater Knapweed Dissected
"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them" John Ruskin