Introduction to Paleobotanical Art (botanical fossil art)
Derwent Pencil Museum
July 6 & 7, 2010
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Stephen Caine trained as a museum natural history conservator. His duties included drawing illustrations of specimens, diorama building and the painting of backgrounds. While working for museums and universities, Stephen had the opportunity to study plant fossils, as well as 18th and 19th century botanical art. This led to Stephen specializing in paleobotanical art.
Stephen’s subjects are obtained at fossil sites and from museum storerooms. Working as the main artist for the Rhynie research group at Aberdeen University, he created illustrations and models of this unique group of Devonian plants.
Now living in northeast Scotland, he maintains strong ties with Aberdeen University and has been commissioned to design a new diorama about the extinct plants found as fossils in this area. As part of this project, Stephen will work for various museums and universities and will reconstruct extinct flora. He will also teach botanical painting and drawing to researchers and students.
During his demonstration at the Derwent Pencil Museum, Stephen will use graphite and watercolor pencils to introduce museum visitors to paleobotanical art. To learn from Stephen as he demonstrates his techniques, please obtain a ticket at the museum entrance. This ticket entitles you to one hour of free instruction.