A Visual Guide for Botanical Artists
A book for education, a book for inspiration
2018
I have been working on Botanical Illustration from Life for some time, and the work continues. I hope it will serve as both a practical guide for botanical artists and a source of inspiration for anyone who loves plants and the art of drawing them.
The book will be published by Editorial Parramón in Barcelona, so the first edition will be in Spanish — which may be welcome news for Spanish-speaking artists looking for resources on botanical illustration. This is just the beginning; let’s see where this project leads.
The content is built largely around step-by-step guides showing how I start and complete a scientific botanical illustration from scratch. Along the way I introduce wild plant species from various parts of the world — the plants that inspire me, and that I hope will inspire you too. I have been searching for them everywhere, from mountain slopes to deep forests.
The book is structured in six chapters, taking you from the very foundations all the way through to mastering botanical illustration. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
START
Modern botanical illustration has evolved as an integral part of science — aiding the recording, understanding, and communication of the natural world through various forms of drawing.
OBSERVE
Learning to draw and paint plants is above all a matter of observation and practice. Of all the skills a botanical artist needs to develop, the ability to truly observe is the most fundamental. Working with live specimens is one of the most rewarding and distinctive aspects of this art form.
DRAW
There is something irreplaceable about drawing from a living plant — seeing it, touching it, even smelling it. In doing so, you are not just looking through the eyes of an artist, but also thinking like a scientist: taking measurements, analysing structure, and truly understanding what is in front of you.
PAINT
Watercolour is a uniquely expressive medium. It can achieve both delicate, luminous washes and vivid, precise detail. Adaptable and endlessly versatile, it has been the preferred medium in botanical illustration for centuries — and for good reason. In skilled hands, it captures the subtlety and variation of plant forms like nothing else.
EXPLORE
The primary purpose of botanical illustration is to record, describe, and identify. To fulfil this function well, the artist must develop a deep understanding of the external shapes and structures of plants in all their diversity.
MASTER
After many years of working closely with plants, you may begin to feel that you are truly mastering the craft. But this takes a very long time — it requires dedication, consistent practice, and perhaps a degree of innate sensitivity. Becoming a highly accomplished botanical artist does not happen overnight. The best any of us can hope for is that through practice, we develop a style that is entirely our own: not just recording the plant, but recording it in a way that is unmistakably you.
After its presentation at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2018, it was decided that the book would be published in three languages: English, Spanish, and French. The estimated publication date is November 2019.
THE BOOK IS PUBLISHED
2019 – 2023
My book Botanical Illustration from Life, which I have been working on for quite some time, is finally published. It is a genuinely exciting moment, and I am so happy to be sharing my insights and experiences in botanical art through these pages. I have been painting plants for over a decade, and this book felt like a natural outcome of those years — written in my tenth year of practice, with the hope that it will guide you on your own journey of learning and looking.
November 2019
Spanish Edition, Parramón Editorial — Dibujo de Botánica
English Edition, Search Press — Botanical Illustration from Life
French Edition, Parramón Editorial — Dessiner D’après Nature
December 2020
Turkish Edition, ANG Editorial — Doğanın Detaylarını Görmek
Also available from Pandora
December 2021
Korean Edition, Ejong — 자연을 기록하는, 식물 세밀화, 수체화 보태니컴 아트
Chinese Edition, Elephant Press — 绘制生命：植物插画艺术
You may also enjoy this interview with Design Press (in Korean).
Some Reviews
A Reader from Stockport — 5 September 2019
This book is full of beautiful illustrations on every page. The colour reproduction is excellent. There are clear and informative step-by-step instructions throughout, including a particularly helpful section on leaves — especially the veining, which I always find challenging. It is accessible enough for beginners while offering enough depth for more experienced botanical artists. Highly recommended.
Sarah Roberts — 30 August 2019
This is a brilliant book for anyone interested in the process of making botanical illustrations. Written with warmth, generosity, and a deep love for plants, it appeals equally to artists, illustrators, botanists, and plant enthusiasts. At its heart it is a practical guide, but one enriched with insights, observations, and contributions from other experts in the field.
Isik Güner takes the reader on a delightful journey through all aspects of observing, drawing, and painting plants for both scientific accuracy and aesthetic appeal. The emphasis throughout is on working from direct observation of living plants — a refreshing and valuable perspective. There is also some very wise advice for navigating the more challenging aspects of the craft.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone who loves art and plants. To students, practitioners, and enthusiasts of botanical art in particular: go and get a copy.
Ronnie — 2 September 2019
So comprehensive — everything you need to inspire you in botanical illustration. A beautifully produced book, packed with information and guidance. A serious study in how to observe plants and portray their characteristics. Highly recommended.
Catherine — 30 August 2019
This book is fabulous. It covers everything you need to know about drawing and painting botanical subjects. A must-have for beginners and experienced artists alike.