gallusrostromegalus:

wheeljacker:

gallusrostromegalus:

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.

Thank you!! This gave me a really great starting point. I follow James Guerney on Instagram, and ive been meaning to buy his books!!

I live in Los Angeles, so im sure ill find a guild somewhere. Since you do botanical illustrations (and some entomological illustrations), do you usually get stuck only being able to work on these types of illustrations only, or are you able to draw mammals, reptiles, fish, etc. By asking to do so? (assuming you like to illustrate a variety of organisms)

Thanks for this advice!!

Oh nah i’ve been on hiatus for health reasons but I get asked to draw all kinds of stuff- pretty much everyone I know with the BI degree has also done fungi, animals, environmental illustrations within SI, and then things like portraits, illuminations, calligraphy, game design, interior design, murals, fiber art and all manner of art outside of SI.

Having a specialty or something you’re known for is terrific because everyone has more offers than they can handle so when they see something up your alley they’ll send it your way, but in my experience it in no way limits you.

The good news about SI is that there’s massive demand for it so if you can stay on top of marketing yourself you’ll have a steady stream of work, and then your portfolio looks so cool non SI art people want you for stuff too.