Training or degree
BFA in Illustration
Rhode Island School of Design, 2024
Self-reported
All professionals
Art lessons in Short Hills
Mei Bennett
Art lessons: Botanical drawing in colored pencil
Recent art school grad who teaches calm, unhurried sessions in watercolor and colored pencil botanicals
- 4.9 from 17 reviews
- Based in Summit
- All five checks passed
Ask a question before you book. Contact details stay private.
Travels farther · +$25 for homes 20+ miles awayBased in Summit
Credentials
Training or degree
Botanical Art Certificate coursework
New York Botanical Garden, 2025
Self-reported
About me
I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design two years ago and came home to Short Hills to set up a studio in my parents' garage. My grandmother was the first person I ever taught, and she is still my toughest critic.
Botanical drawing suits a slow pace. We start with a single leaf or flower from your yard or a grocery store bouquet, look closely at it for a while, and then draw what we actually see. Colored pencil is easy to control and easy to fix, so it is a good place to start. Later we can add light watercolor washes. I bring quality pencils, a magnifier on a stand and good paper, so you only need a flat surface and some patience.
One of my favorite places to draw is the greenhouse at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit. In the spring I like to bring students pressed flowers from there to work from.
What a first visit looks like
- 1
Minute 0 to 5
We choose a leaf or flower to draw, from your garden, a houseplant, or a bouquet I bring.
- 2
Minute 5 to 15
Close looking: I show you how to spot shapes, veins and color shifts before drawing a line.
- 3
Minute 15 to 45
We draw the outline lightly together, then build up color in thin layers of pencil.
- 4
Minute 45 to 55
I show you how to add highlights and fix small mistakes with a kneaded eraser.
- 5
Minute 55 to 60
We look at the finished piece and I leave you a practice sheet with three leaf shapes.
What to have ready
Nothing to buy before the first visit
- A table by a window
- A flower or houseplant
- A good desk lamp
Where Mei goes
- Short HillsLives here
- Glen Ridge
- Millburn
- Montclair
Where in the home
Dining tablePorch
Usual week
Mon
3pm
to 7pmTue
9am
to 1pmWed
Off
Thu
1pm
to 5pmFri
Off
Sat
9am
to 1pmSun
1pm
to 5pm
What families say
“I live in Ohio and this gave me real peace of mind. Mom loves it.”
David W.
“Mom wore earrings for it. Enough said.”
Greg S.
“On time, friendly, and Mom was smiling when I called that night.”
Greg F.
“My mother talked about it all through dinner.”
Paul L.
“My mother says it is the best part of her Tuesday.”
Joanne K.
“Mom actually set the table early for this.”
Lisa R.
“Messages back fast and remembers the little things.”
Beth K.
“Dad asked me twice when the next one was. That never happens.”
Michael L.
“Left a note after each visit so I knew what they did.”
Anthony P.
“Patient with my dad, who can be a lot. Worth every penny.”
Omar N.
“Warm, punctual, and actually fun.”
Steve E.
“My aunt is picky and she wants this every week now.”
Steve W.
“We were not sure Dad would go for it. He did.”
Maria S.
“Mom's watercolor is framed in my hallway.”
James F.
“A real bright spot in our week. Highly recommend.”
Michael R.
“Easy to book and an absolute delight.”
Linda T.
“Kind, punctual and so much fun. Dad is already asking about next week.”
James K.
Checked and vetted
- Online search
- A real conversation with our team
- Signed provider agreement
- Criminal background check
- National sex offender registry check
$135 per hour
Plus a $2.50 booking fee and 10% service fee.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before.