The tools and materials needed to illustrate botanical subjects vary according to preference and subject matter. For most, a well-lit work space with a drawing board, comfortable seating, and standard watercolor supplies will do. For those who work outdoors illustrating larger subjects, a portable easel that holds painting supplies is a must. Since plant life is so varied in appearance, you should have a decent range of watercolor brushes in order to reproduce wide washes of color, hair-like lines or dots, or stippled textural patterns. Having a good array of watercolors is also recommended, since the colors of nature are so rich and diverse.
Some plant life have special requirements to retain ther visual vibrancy while being illustrated.
Cut flowers or other organic-stemmed material should be put in florist s foam and then placed in a container with water. This will help hold the plants upright while providing much-needed moisture. For heavier stems or branches, needlepoint holders can be embedded within florist s clay to support a plant stem by sticking it on a needle. Small-necked bottles or small plastic vials with rubber tops can also be used to keep stems wet and fresh as you paint. To draw a plant accurately, the artist needs to study and understand the fine areas of structure in detail.