hey! do you mind if i ask you how you got into scientific illustration? ive been curious about that as a career since i was in highschool, and would really appreciate your input if you feel comfortable sharing!
More Or Less On Accident, which is how I do everything.
So I originally went to college for Marine Biology, got to Organic Chemistry and realized I wasn’t good enough at chemistry for the degree, then switched to Art, my other passion in life. Then I got sick enough that I needed to drop out, and while recovering from the inital round, went to an art show on Botanical Illustration and went “Well Shit That’s Cool”
So to keep my hand in, I signed up for Classes at the Devner Botanic Gardens School of Botanical Illustration, which is more or less geared towards launching people’s careers in scientific illustration. Since then my health has been dodgy and I haven’t launche a career per se, but learning those skills was excellent and I’m glad I did it.
I’m gonna guess you’re not in the Denver area so some tips and books to get you started.
Google search to see if there’s a scientific illustration guild in your area. there very likely is if you’re near a major metropolitan area.
You can always join the Guild Of Natural Science Illustrators who offer classes, shows and business contacts all over. They also have an excellent quarterly magazine and conventions.
James Gurney’s “Color And Light” is an amazing book I reccomend to every artist ever but illustrators in particular.
Also his blog. good shit.
In general, study realism, follow artists and illustrators you like and learn from them, and see if you can get involved in the community.
