What is Natural Science Illustration?

Put simply, natural science (or history) illustration is “art in service of science”.  The artist “uses scientifically informed observational, technical, and aesthetic skills to portray a subject accurately.” (The Guild Handbook of Scientific Illustration, by the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators). The scientific illustrator is a “Visual Science Communicator” (Diana Marques).  This title aptly describes the key role of a scientific illustrator -- communication!  Shapes, anatomy, details, and concepts that cannot be conveyed with words alone, and are often ambiguous in photographs, are visually described by the artist with crystal clarity. 
​Personally, I have a fondness for, "Natural History Illustration", as it puts emphasis on the stories, often complex and interwoven, of the visualized subjects.
"Late Autumn Forage", Bombus impatiens (Common Eastern Bumble Bee) feeding on Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster), © Suzanne Matheson, 2018

Recent News

Nature Art Studio's Opening Reception
​for 'Art of the Plant' Exhibition Pieces

Nellie Sue Potter, of Nature Art Studio, Toronto, is showing several artworks from the 2018 'Art of the Plant' exhibit, Canada's contribution to the groundbreaking international initiative, Botanical Art Worldwide.  The opening reception will be held on January 26, 2019.  Please join us as we continue to celebrate the wonderful diversity of Canada's native plants.  Further details on my events calendar page. 

Hatchlings  A Coloring Book Anthology

Back in July, 2018 Cordelia Norris, of Luna Creations design & illustration, and her husband, Joseph Cadotte, of Old Sins publishing collective, sent out a call-for-entry.  They were seeking black & white line drawings of North American nesting birds, with their hatchlings, for an educational colouring book anthology.  The juried entries were to be limited to birds who spend some or all of their time in the USA. ... Now five months later ... read more ...

Gretchen Halpert's Scientific Illustration Distance Program - Session 1

Recently I completed Session 1, an introductory course that builds drawing skills with the use of graphite.  In my Artist's Journal I offer you a visual description of this course.  Read more ...

Note:  Gretchen is now accepting students for the next SIDP Session 1 course, running Tuesdays, from January 8 - March 12, 2019.  
Natural Sciences Illustrator, Pinus strobus - Eastern White Pine cone, graphite study © Suzanne M Matheson, 2018
Eastern White Pine cone - Pinus strobus - graphite study © Suzanne M Matheson, 2018

Botanical Artists of Canada
2018 Members Virtual Art Exhibition​

From October 24th to December 19th, 2018 the Botanical Artists of Canada are holding their 3rd annual online exhibition.  To view my entry and find event details, go to my events calendar page.