AN award-winning artist has paid a visit to the North-East to teach budding artists the art of botanical painting.

Botanical artist, Billy Showell, visited the region for the first time this week to teach a group of nine artists how to create their own intricate watercolour paintings.

The group, who had travelled from across the country for the masterclass, spent two days studying and painting green and white hellebores at the event, held at the Blackwell Grange Hotel, in Darlington.

Ms Showell said: “It is my first time in the North-East and I will definitely be back. It is a really beautiful area.

“It was a mixed group of artists, some were semi-professionals and others were complete beginners but everyone really enjoyed themselves.”

Ms Showell has more than 20 years’ experience as a botanical artist and holds classes around the country teaching artists how to paint their own masterpieces.

Daphne Weerasinghe, who helped organise the class, said: “Billy is one of the best botanical artists - she is very experienced and one of the best teachers around.

“I painted for many years but stopped when I had a grandson to look after. Now that I have been to her class I am going to go home and paint again.

“I have really enjoyed myself and the venue was brilliant.”

For more information on Ms Showell’s classes visit billyshowell.co.uk