“Botany for the Artist” by Sarah Simblet
A book for everyone who doesn’t just want to see plants, but truly understand them.
How does a plant actually grow?
Why do leaves look so different from each other?
And how can I finally capture that on paper the way I want to?
These (and many other) questions are answered by Sarah Simblet in her book “Botany for the Artist.”
A work that fascinated me from the very first glance and quickly became one of my most valuable reference books.
What kind of book is this?
„Botany for the Artist” is not your typical drawing manual. It’s more like a small journey through the world of plants and botanical art.
Author Sarah Simblet creates a unique blend of:
drawing instruction,
botanical knowledge,
art history, and
inspiration.
Across more than 250 pages, she takes you from the tiniest seeds to the grandest forest giants – showing how we can observe, understand, and record it all in our sketches.
The book is filled with Sarah’s own drawings as well as stunning plant photography by Sam Scott-Hunter. Many subjects were drawn from the Botanical Garden and Herbarium at Oxford University.
Her goal was to showcase as many plant species and habitats as possible – so you’ll find both familiar native plants and unusual exotic specimens. Just flipping through the pages is a joy in itself.
Who is Sarah Simblet?
Sarah Simblet is an artist, anatomy lecturer at the University of Oxford, and a passionate draftswoman.
Her works combine scientific precision with artistic depth.
In her books - especially “Botany for the Artist” - you can feel her love of nature and her desire to make its beauty visible to others.
What I particularly appreciate: she doesn’t stay abstract or overly theoretical. Her instructions are clear, approachable – and they spark the urge to start drawing right away.
My Highlights from the Book
The “Drawing Classes” – practical, clear & ready to use
Scattered throughout the book are compact two- to three-page drawing lessons.
In them, you’ll learn, for example:
how to draw roots in an engaging way,
what to look out for when sketching the structure of a flower head,
how to capture leaves in correct perspective,
all broken down step by step.
A feast for the eyes
From Sarah’s sketches to historic botanical illustrations – this book is beautifully designed.
Photographs, diagrams, and artworks from well-known botanical illustrators accompany the content and provide endless inspiration.
Knowledge that makes you wonder
You don’t just learn how to draw plants – but also what you’re really looking at:
Why do leaves wilt in certain ways?
What’s happening inside a bud?
Why do roots sometimes grow “against gravity”?
This knowledge transforms your drawing practice – you’ll see your subjects with entirely new eyes.
Who is this book for?
“Botany for the Artist” is for you if…
you love plants and want to truly understand them,
you draw (or want to learn to draw) with more depth,
you’re curious about the fine details of nature,
you appreciate a mix of guidance, inspiration, and background knowledge.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist: this book meets you where you are – and expands your perspective.
You can:
work through the “Drawing Classes” step by step,
study Sarah’s illustrations and try to recreate them,
dive deeper into the details of different plant parts.
It even makes a wonderful coffee table book, perfect for inspiration.
Conclusion: A book to dive into & discover
„Botany for the Artist“ isn’t just a manual – it’s a companion.
It inspires, it teaches, and it invites you to look closer.
If you don’t just want to copy plants but really experience and understand them, this book is a true treasure for your creative journey.
Book Details
Title: Botany for the Artist - An inspirational guide to drawing plants
Author: Sarah Simblet
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Pages: 256
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1405332271
ISBN-13: 9781405332279
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