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Sarah Gardner

@gardnerbotanical.bsky.social

132 followers 56 following 11 posts

Botanical Artist & Illustrator Art celebrating plant life 🌿 www.gardnerbotanical.com

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Really enjoyed creating these illustrations which have been included alongside work by the amazing @lizzie-harper.bsky.social in a new field guide to saltmarsh plants for @wwtworldwide.bsky.social WWT Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay SWNRR in Somerset, published by @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social

11 watercolour illustrations of Saltmarsh plant species

A foldout guide showing 32 individual illustrations of plants found at the Saltmarsh habitats of Steart Marshes and Bridgwater Bay, Somerset.

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

The stone wall background is gradually appearing.

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

For this fluffy plant, Great Mullein, I am using three Sennelier watercolours: 🔵Pthalocyanine Blue 🟡Lemon Yellow 🔴Rose Madder Lake It’s fun to mix from a limited palette and I end up using a wider range of shades and tones with this method of colour mixing. How do you mix yours? 🌀🔆❓

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Sepia tones in oils today. #botanicaloilpainter

Partial view of a large leaf in light browns painted propped on easel. A few fairy-lights twinkle in the background.

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Calling #Rheum geeks! Horticulturalists, botanists, taxonomists… Advice sought on locating specimens to view and background info on classification. Looking for representative examples from each of the five Sections of the Rheum genus. #rheumplant #planttaxonomy #botanicalillustration

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Planning is vital. I’ve been observing the growth cycle of Rheum palmatum in the walled garden of #RHSbridgewater throughout the year. Measurements, sketches, photos, background reading. It is almost time to pick up the brushes! #worththewait #botanicalartist #rheumpalmatum

The flaming purple-orange underside of a large Rheum palmatum leaf is held aloft with the sunlight filtering through to green top-side of another enormous leaf below. To the left rear of the image a large red-purple leaf bud emerges from the base of the plant, looming like a tower and casting shadow over the lower leaf. This sits above a chipped bark mulch in the grounds of the garden at RHS Bridgewater.

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

The days shorten but the sun casts a magical glow. Here, just finished, is a holly leaf study (Ilex aquifolium) in watercolour, based on leaves from the magnificent hollies growing in my local park. I’ve called this painting ‘Nineteen Points’.

Watercolour painting of a nineteen pointed holly leaf with a shiny light reflective surface.

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

More detail, more layers…

The artists brush poised over the watercolour painting of a 19 pointed holly leaf with dark greens and bright reflected highlights.

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Reposted by Sarah Gardner

Emma Tildesley Botanical Art dipSBA (dist) @emmatildesley.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

In the autumn edition of the SBA magazine there is a lovely “Meet the Council” Q&A featuring myself, @patriciagherase.bsky.social @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social and Lesley Hall. Our “Ruby” issue is full of stunning ruby themed artworks and a sneak peak into our planned 40th anniversary celebrations.

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Today’s work in progress: a simple holly leaf study in watercolour. Lots more layers to add. I keep humming Xmas tunes!

Partially completed watercolour painting of a single holly leaf with 19 prickly points

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Next on my reading list… 📚

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Sarah Gardner @gardnerbotanical.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Hello, first post! Lovely to see a new community blooming here. I’m an artist who specialises in painting botanical subjects in oil and watercolour. Here’s my Dahlia with Buff-tailed Bumble Bee, painted in oils.

Pale pink dahlia flower with red stripes on inner petals on black background. A bumble bee sits at the flower’s yellow centre feeding on nectar. The flower has a dark purple stem with two leaves and a bright green bud, ready to burst.

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