Natural History Illustration
CRN
Course Number
Credits
Course Description
This is a student-led course.
Scientific illustration is the discipline of art in the service of science. Illustrations are important elements to enhance communication of concepts and clarify specific details in science, creating visuals to help resolve the ambiguities of language. Illustration allows us to physically see scientific topics, whether that’s looking at something under a microscope, or seeing the way our skeletons look. This course will be a hands-on approach to creating accurate and realistic scientific illustrations, with a central focus on the natural history of the Pacific Northwest. Throughout the quarter, students will plan projects based on a diversity of local species, develop skills in creating art through different mediums, and create a thoroughly detailed scientific illustration on a single topic as a final project. This class will include peer feedback, with critiques. Students will be required to carry a sketchbook throughout the quarter, documenting local organisms in the area. This is an interdisciplinary course incorporating artistic methods, illustration, natural history, ecology, botany, mycology, animal/plant life cycles, and evolutionary biology.
Required Texts
MacKinnon, A. et al. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska. Richmond, Wash. ;: Lone Pine Publishing, 1994. Print.
There will be a few extra copies if you don’t have one, but we will be referencing the scientific illustrations and plant identification from this book.
Credit/Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on their participation, effort, attendance, and quality of work. At the end of the quarter, students are required to write a narrative self-evaluation.