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New at Classes Near You > Washington:

University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education
Certificate Program in Natural Science Illustration
This nine-month program is designed for artists, illustrators, and scientists with some art experience. Students will graduate with a portfolio of work suitable for publication and for use in educational exhibits. The instructional fee for this program is $4,074. This excludes certificate program fees, registration fees, and textbooks. The first-term instructional fee of $1,330, plus a $35 nonrefundable registration fee, is due September 22, 2010. Courses scheduled for the 2010-2011 term are:

• Intro to Natural Science Illustration

Mondays, October 11 – December 13, 2010; 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. This key course is focused on understanding principles related to anatomical, cellular, and physical form and function when rendering illustrations for scientific purposes. Digital illustration techniques will also be taught in a Mac computer lab.

• Zoological Illustration – Wednesdays, October 13 – December 15, 2010; 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Students will develop an understanding of principles and procedures for a systematic approach to the production of scientific illustrations. Life histories and metamorphic stages will be the focus. Digital illustration techniques will also be taught.
• Vertebrate Illustration – Wednesdays, January 12 – March 16, 2011; 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Comparative biomechanics of animal movement is introduced to understand the musculoskeletal system. Students will learn how to depict both internal and external structures. Black & white, color, and digital techniques will be taught.
• Wildlife Illustration – Mondays, January 10 – March 14, 2011;
  6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Students will develop field sketches and wildlife drawings based on a firm understanding of ecosystems, biomechanics and adaptation. Includes a field trip to draw birds and wildlife in their natural environment. Digital techniques will be taught.
• Applied Techniques of Natural Science Illustration – Mondays,
  March 28 – June 6, 2011; 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Students will learn techniques to enhance their presentation of finished work. Business issues such as contracts and copyright will be discussed. Digital illustration techniques will be taught.
• Botanical Illustration – Wednesdays, March 30 – June 1, 2011;
  6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Students will learn about the classification and identification of plants while continuing to develop their drawing and composition skills. Projects will be completed in pen and ink, watercolor, or gouache.

Detailed information about this program can be viewed on the program’s homepage on the University of Washington website.

If you are interested in learning more about natural science illustration as a career, visit the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators at www.gnsi.org.

Related:
The Artists Behind Your Elementary School Science Textbooks

Reader Question:
We learn from scientific illustrators almost daily, even though we may not realize it. Where have you encountered scientific illustrations?