Button Factory Arts Centre upcoming events

COURSE- Introduction to Botanical Illustration in Graphite and Watercolour with Jane Alderdice (23 Sep 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28 (6 weeks)

$153 Members /$180 non-members + $25 Materials Fee (instructor provided)

Please note: Students supply most materials for this course- see Supplies List below description:

Detail and carefully applied pencil and paint are hallmarks of botanical drawing and painting. If you always loved and pondered over those beautiful historical plates of watercolour drawings/paintings, this could be the course for you! In this introductory course, participants will learn about some of the history of botanical illustration and will learn some historical techniques from the French Court period.

Participants will learn how to produce graphite drawings of leaves and a flower using basic image transfer and “sfumato” graphite techniques. We also explore the fundamentals of composition.

We explore the basics of colour theory and how to handle watercolour paints and tools. Participants will produce watercolour paintings of botanicals using primaries and colour mixing and using the graphite drawings as a reference.

They also will learn to describe basic plant structures (morphology).

Don’t worry, it’s an intro course, no tests!

This course is for anyone and no previous drawing or watercolour painting experience is necessary. Templates will be provided for anyone who is more comfortable using them. Basic instruction in drawing will be provided as well as basic instruction in watercolour painting. Join us with an open mind and you will learn a lot! I teach with an emphasis on learning, working at your own level, and silencing the critic so you can feel free to practice.

Supply List: Most supplies are available at Michaels

Pencils: Staedler drawing pencils (2H/HB/2B/4B); you can buy in a set as well

Drawing Paper: Canson Drawing Paper Pad, 9x12”, smooth surface; or Artist’s Loft

Drawing Pad 70 lb 9x12”

Tracing Paper: Canson or Strathmore Tracing Paper Pad, 9x12”

Watercolour Paper: Arches hot press watercolour pad 9x12”, 100% cotton, 140 lbs, 12 sheets (preferred because of the quality and the hot press surface);

or Artists Loft Level 2 watercolour pad 140 lb, 9x12”;

or Canson XL watercolour pad 9x12”, 140 lb.

Palettes: Artist Loft 17-well oval artist palette is recommended as there is sufficient space on the palette to mix paint, or 1 12-well white plastic palette or 2 6- or 8-well palettes;

Brushes: 2 of each size round synthetic or gold sable watercolour brushes in no. 3 size (and if possible 2 no. 4 size); Princeton Aqua Elite synthetic round from Michaels recommended or Cotman brushes; additional brushes will be available for use in class.

Erasers: 1 kneadable eraser (Staedler or Faber Castelli); Staedler Mars plastic eraser

Masking tape: regular masking tape or artist tape

Watercolour Paints (optional): As we will be working with 12 different colours, to save participants the cost of buying 12 tubes of paint, we will provide paints on a palette which you can keep. The cost to each student is $25. If you prefer to buy your own, the list of paints is below and Cotman watercolour paints are highly recommended; small 8 ml tubes are sufficient for individual purchase.

Lemon Yellow Hue, Gamboge Hue, Permanent Rose, Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Intense Pthalo Green, Intense Pthalo Blue, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna.

Approx. total is $125

Please note:

Attending the full class term is the responsibility of the student. No refunds or credits are issued for missing classes and educators will not schedule any additional instructor-led make-up classes.
Refunds are issued up to two weeks before your class starts. After this period there are no refunds.
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.

COURSE- Introduction to Botanical Illustration in Graphite and Watercolour with Jane Alderdice (30 Sep 2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28 (6 weeks)

$153 Members /$180 non-members + $25 Materials Fee (instructor provided)

Please note: Students supply most materials for this course- see Supplies List below description:

Participants will learn how to produce graphite drawings of leaves and a flower using basic image transfer and “sfumato” graphite techniques. We also explore the fundamentals of composition.

They also will learn to describe basic plant structures (morphology).

Don’t worry, it’s an intro course, no tests!

Supply List: Most supplies are available at Michaels

Pencils: Staedler drawing pencils (2H/HB/2B/4B); you can buy in a set as well

Drawing Paper: Canson Drawing Paper Pad, 9x12”, smooth surface; or Artist’s Loft

Drawing Pad 70 lb 9x12”

Tracing Paper: Canson or Strathmore Tracing Paper Pad, 9x12”

Watercolour Paper: Arches hot press watercolour pad 9x12”, 100% cotton, 140 lbs, 12 sheets (preferred because of the quality and the hot press surface);

or Artists Loft Level 2 watercolour pad 140 lb, 9x12”;

or Canson XL watercolour pad 9x12”, 140 lb.

Palettes: Artist Loft 17-well oval artist palette is recommended as there is sufficient space on the palette to mix paint, or 1 12-well white plastic palette or 2 6- or 8-well palettes;

Erasers: 1 kneadable eraser (Staedler or Faber Castelli); Staedler Mars plastic eraser

Masking tape: regular masking tape or artist tape

Lemon Yellow Hue, Gamboge Hue, Permanent Rose, Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Intense Pthalo Green, Intense Pthalo Blue, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna.

Approx. total is $125

Please note:

Attending the full class term is the responsibility of the student. No refunds or credits are issued for missing classes and educators will not schedule any additional instructor-led make-up classes.
Refunds are issued up to two weeks before your class starts. After this period there are no refunds.
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.

COURSE- Introduction to Botanical Illustration in Graphite and Watercolour with Jane Alderdice (7 Oct 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28 (6 weeks)

$153 Members /$180 non-members + $25 Materials Fee (instructor provided)

Please note: Students supply most materials for this course- see Supplies List below description:

Participants will learn how to produce graphite drawings of leaves and a flower using basic image transfer and “sfumato” graphite techniques. We also explore the fundamentals of composition.

They also will learn to describe basic plant structures (morphology).

Don’t worry, it’s an intro course, no tests!

Supply List: Most supplies are available at Michaels

Pencils: Staedler drawing pencils (2H/HB/2B/4B); you can buy in a set as well

Drawing Paper: Canson Drawing Paper Pad, 9x12”, smooth surface; or Artist’s Loft

Drawing Pad 70 lb 9x12”

Tracing Paper: Canson or Strathmore Tracing Paper Pad, 9x12”

Watercolour Paper: Arches hot press watercolour pad 9x12”, 100% cotton, 140 lbs, 12 sheets (preferred because of the quality and the hot press surface);

or Artists Loft Level 2 watercolour pad 140 lb, 9x12”;

or Canson XL watercolour pad 9x12”, 140 lb.

Palettes: Artist Loft 17-well oval artist palette is recommended as there is sufficient space on the palette to mix paint, or 1 12-well white plastic palette or 2 6- or 8-well palettes;

Erasers: 1 kneadable eraser (Staedler or Faber Castelli); Staedler Mars plastic eraser

Masking tape: regular masking tape or artist tape

Lemon Yellow Hue, Gamboge Hue, Permanent Rose, Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Intense Pthalo Green, Intense Pthalo Blue, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna.

Approx. total is $125

Please note:

Attending the full class term is the responsibility of the student. No refunds or credits are issued for missing classes and educators will not schedule any additional instructor-led make-up classes.
Refunds are issued up to two weeks before your class starts. After this period there are no refunds.
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.

COURSE- Introduction to Botanical Illustration in Graphite and Watercolour with Jane Alderdice (14 Oct 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28 (6 weeks)

$153 Members /$180 non-members + $25 Materials Fee (instructor provided)

Please note: Students supply most materials for this course- see Supplies List below description:

Participants will learn how to produce graphite drawings of leaves and a flower using basic image transfer and “sfumato” graphite techniques. We also explore the fundamentals of composition.

They also will learn to describe basic plant structures (morphology).

Don’t worry, it’s an intro course, no tests!

Supply List: Most supplies are available at Michaels

Pencils: Staedler drawing pencils (2H/HB/2B/4B); you can buy in a set as well

Drawing Paper: Canson Drawing Paper Pad, 9x12”, smooth surface; or Artist’s Loft

Drawing Pad 70 lb 9x12”

Tracing Paper: Canson or Strathmore Tracing Paper Pad, 9x12”

Watercolour Paper: Arches hot press watercolour pad 9x12”, 100% cotton, 140 lbs, 12 sheets (preferred because of the quality and the hot press surface);

or Artists Loft Level 2 watercolour pad 140 lb, 9x12”;

or Canson XL watercolour pad 9x12”, 140 lb.

Palettes: Artist Loft 17-well oval artist palette is recommended as there is sufficient space on the palette to mix paint, or 1 12-well white plastic palette or 2 6- or 8-well palettes;

Erasers: 1 kneadable eraser (Staedler or Faber Castelli); Staedler Mars plastic eraser

Masking tape: regular masking tape or artist tape

Lemon Yellow Hue, Gamboge Hue, Permanent Rose, Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Intense Pthalo Green, Intense Pthalo Blue, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna.

Approx. total is $125

Please note:

Attending the full class term is the responsibility of the student. No refunds or credits are issued for missing classes and educators will not schedule any additional instructor-led make-up classes.
Refunds are issued up to two weeks before your class starts. After this period there are no refunds.
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.

COURSE- Introduction to Botanical Illustration in Graphite and Watercolour with Jane Alderdice (21 Oct 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28 (6 weeks)

$153 Members /$180 non-members + $25 Materials Fee (instructor provided)

Please note: Students supply most materials for this course- see Supplies List below description:

Participants will learn how to produce graphite drawings of leaves and a flower using basic image transfer and “sfumato” graphite techniques. We also explore the fundamentals of composition.

They also will learn to describe basic plant structures (morphology).

Don’t worry, it’s an intro course, no tests!

Supply List: Most supplies are available at Michaels

Pencils: Staedler drawing pencils (2H/HB/2B/4B); you can buy in a set as well

Drawing Paper: Canson Drawing Paper Pad, 9x12”, smooth surface; or Artist’s Loft

Drawing Pad 70 lb 9x12”

Tracing Paper: Canson or Strathmore Tracing Paper Pad, 9x12”

Watercolour Paper: Arches hot press watercolour pad 9x12”, 100% cotton, 140 lbs, 12 sheets (preferred because of the quality and the hot press surface);

or Artists Loft Level 2 watercolour pad 140 lb, 9x12”;

or Canson XL watercolour pad 9x12”, 140 lb.

Palettes: Artist Loft 17-well oval artist palette is recommended as there is sufficient space on the palette to mix paint, or 1 12-well white plastic palette or 2 6- or 8-well palettes;

Erasers: 1 kneadable eraser (Staedler or Faber Castelli); Staedler Mars plastic eraser

Masking tape: regular masking tape or artist tape

Lemon Yellow Hue, Gamboge Hue, Permanent Rose, Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Intense Pthalo Green, Intense Pthalo Blue, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna.

Approx. total is $125

Please note:

Attending the full class term is the responsibility of the student. No refunds or credits are issued for missing classes and educators will not schedule any additional instructor-led make-up classes.
Refunds are issued up to two weeks before your class starts. After this period there are no refunds.
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.

WORKSHOP- Introduction to Tapestry with Jane Alderdice (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Saturday, October 24 AND Sunday 25. 1 - 4pm

Members $76.50 / non-members $90 + $10 materials fee

Create and finish your own small tapestry in this 2 day introductory course. You will learn basic tapestry techniques and exercise your sense of colour and design using a frame loom. Patterns (optional) and a variety of yarn will be provided.

Please note:

Attending the full class term is the responsibility of the student. No refunds or credits are issued for missing classes and educators will not schedule any additional instructor-led make-up classes.
Refunds are issued up to two weeks before your class starts. After this period there are no refunds.
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.

WORKSHOP- Introduction to Tapestry with Jane Alderdice (25 Oct 2026)

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Saturday, October 24 AND Sunday 25. 1 - 4pm

Members $76.50 / non-members $90 + $10 materials fee

Please note:

Attending the full class term is the responsibility of the student. No refunds or credits are issued for missing classes and educators will not schedule any additional instructor-led make-up classes.
Refunds are issued up to two weeks before your class starts. After this period there are no refunds.
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.

COURSE- Introduction to Botanical Illustration in Graphite and Watercolour with Jane Alderdice (28 Oct 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Wednesdays, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28 (6 weeks)

$153 Members /$180 non-members + $25 Materials Fee (instructor provided)

Please note: Students supply most materials for this course- see Supplies List below description:

Participants will learn how to produce graphite drawings of leaves and a flower using basic image transfer and “sfumato” graphite techniques. We also explore the fundamentals of composition.

They also will learn to describe basic plant structures (morphology).

Don’t worry, it’s an intro course, no tests!

Supply List: Most supplies are available at Michaels

Pencils: Staedler drawing pencils (2H/HB/2B/4B); you can buy in a set as well

Drawing Paper: Canson Drawing Paper Pad, 9x12”, smooth surface; or Artist’s Loft

Drawing Pad 70 lb 9x12”

Tracing Paper: Canson or Strathmore Tracing Paper Pad, 9x12”

Watercolour Paper: Arches hot press watercolour pad 9x12”, 100% cotton, 140 lbs, 12 sheets (preferred because of the quality and the hot press surface);

or Artists Loft Level 2 watercolour pad 140 lb, 9x12”;

or Canson XL watercolour pad 9x12”, 140 lb.

Palettes: Artist Loft 17-well oval artist palette is recommended as there is sufficient space on the palette to mix paint, or 1 12-well white plastic palette or 2 6- or 8-well palettes;

Erasers: 1 kneadable eraser (Staedler or Faber Castelli); Staedler Mars plastic eraser

Masking tape: regular masking tape or artist tape

Lemon Yellow Hue, Gamboge Hue, Permanent Rose, Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Intense Pthalo Green, Intense Pthalo Blue, Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna.

Approx. total is $125

Please note:

Attending the full class term is the responsibility of the student. No refunds or credits are issued for missing classes and educators will not schedule any additional instructor-led make-up classes.
Refunds are issued up to two weeks before your class starts. After this period there are no refunds.
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.