Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 from edX

Whether an aspiring scientific or medical illustrator or someone who enjoys drawing nature's wonders, this first-of-its-kind MOOC course is for you.

The field of Natural History Illustration is about observing and illustrating subjects from nature, science and culture, with their linkages to the environment being central.

Our natural world is a fascinating place. Being able to observe and replicate it through illustration provides insights into life that can change how we think about ourselves and our surroundings.

You will learn essential skills and techniques that form the base for creating accurate and stunning replications of subjects from the natural world. This art and culture course is suitable for people looking to enter the illustration discipline as a serious pursuit or just looking to explore a passion.

As world-standard instructors, we will show you practical ways to develop your skills from the outset. Step by step, we will cover the fundamentals of Natural History Illustration, from the first observation of a subject in the field to the final replication in the studio.

This online course will teach you enduring skills that can be used in many different ways. Join us to explore, observe and draw the natural world and become part of a scientific tradition steeped in history.

What you'll learn

Core scientific observational skills
Field drawing and sketching techniques
Concept sketch development
Composition for natural history illustration
Form, proportion and structure essentials
Drawing and rendering techniques

What's inside

Learning objectives

Core scientific observational skills
Field drawing and sketching techniques
Concept sketch development

Composition for natural history illustration
Form, proportion and structure essentials
Drawing and rendering techniques

Core scientific observational skills
Field drawing and sketching techniques
Concept sketch development
Composition for natural history illustration
Form, proportion and structure essentials
Drawing and rendering techniques

Syllabus

Week 1: IntroductionIntroduction to course and overview of NHI of historical and contemporary practice to set the scene for an immersive skills building experience.

Week 2: Observational drawingIntroduction to Natural History Illustration methods and demonstration on observational drawing.

Week 3: Field sketching and recording techniquesIntroduction to working in the field and recording subjects and their environmental surroundings quickly and accurately.

Week 4: The structure of flowers and leavesUnderstanding plant anatomy.

Week 5: The structure of mammals and birdsUnderstanding animal anatomy.

Week 6: RenderingCreating finished artworks.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores Natural History Illustration from a historical and contemporary perspective, providing a deep understanding of its methods and practices

Provides foundational knowledge and skills in scientific observational drawing, concept sketch development, and composition for natural history illustration

Develops essential drawing and rendering techniques for accurately depicting subjects from the natural world, including form, proportion, and structure

Taught by instructors Bernadette Drabsch and Andrew Howells, who are world-standard instructors in the field

Suitable for individuals looking to pursue illustration as a serious pursuit or explore their passion for natural history

Course outline and objectives align with a structured approach to learning natural history illustration, from field observation to studio work

Reviews summary

Natural history illustration 101

Learners say Natural History Illustration 101 is an easy-to-digest MOOC that provides a unique perspective for those interested in the field. The course is well-structured, has relevant content, and comes highly recommended.

Well-structured with Succinct Content

"From a beginner's point of view, the Natural History Illustration 101 presented itself as a very clear, well structured, easy to digest MOOC with relevant yet succinct content."

Engaging and Encouraging

"I found this course enlightening , intense and very enjoyable."

"the critique from your peers was very helpful and very encouraging. which of course made me want to try harder."

Highly Recommended

"I would recommend this course to anyone who likes a challenge."

Career center

Learners who complete Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Medical Illustrator

A Medical Illustrator works with doctors and other medical professionals to create accurate and detailed illustrations of human anatomy and medical procedures. This field requires strong drawing skills that can be developed by taking a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course. The course will teach you about the structure of the human body, as well as how to illustrate medical procedures in a clear and concise way.

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Zoologist

A Zoologist studies the behavior, evolution, and classification of animals. They may work in the field or in a lab setting. As a Zoologist, you would benefit from taking a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course because it can help you to develop a better eye for detail and learn to accurately represent the animals that you are studying on paper. This can be especially useful when doing field work where you need to make quick and accurate sketches of animals in their natural habitat.

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Botanist

A Botanist works to learn about plants. They use their skills and knowledge to learn about the life cycles, growth patterns, and reproductive processes of plants. Taking a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course will teach foundational drawing techniques that can be applied to help with documenting plant life. Gaining these skills can be vital to working in the field in order to accurately represent the environment.

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Technical Illustrator

A Technical Illustrator creates detailed drawings of machines, products, and other technical objects. These drawings are used for a variety of purposes, such as instruction manuals, marketing materials, and engineering design. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field. The course will teach you how to draw objects accurately, as well as how to use perspective and shading to create realistic images.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Illustrator

Industrial Designer

An Industrial Designer creates and designs consumer products. They use their skills to make the products both functional and visually appealing. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field. The course will teach you how to draw objects accurately, as well as how to use perspective and shading to create realistic images.

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Fashion Designer

A Fashion Designer creates clothing and accessories. They use their skills to sketch designs, select fabrics, and create patterns. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field. The course will teach you how to draw figures accurately, as well as how to use perspective and shading to create realistic images. This will help you to create realistic and appealing clothing designs.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator is responsible for planning and managing the exhibits and activities of a museum. They work with other staff members to develop and implement educational programs, and they may also conduct research and write articles about the museum's collection. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field. The course will teach you about the history of natural history illustration, as well as how to draw and illustrate natural history specimens.

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Landscape Architect

A Landscape Architect designs outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and campuses. They use their skills to create beautiful and functional spaces that are also environmentally friendly. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field, as you will learn about plant life and how to design outdoor spaces. The course will teach you how to draw plants and landscapes accurately, as well as how to use perspective and shading to create realistic images.

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Forensic Artist

A Forensic Artist works with law enforcement to create composite sketches of suspects and victims. They also create courtroom drawings of crime scenes and evidence. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field. The course will teach you how to draw human figures accurately, as well as how to capture the details of a scene in a way that is both accurate and compelling.

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Art Director

An Art Director oversees the visual aspects of a project, such as a film, television show, or magazine. They work with artists, photographers, and other creative professionals to create a cohesive and visually appealing product. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field. The course will teach you how to draw and design images, as well as how to communicate your ideas to others.

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Teacher

A Teacher develops, plans, and implements curriculum, lesson plans, and educational programs for student audiences within areas of expertise. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field. The course will teach you about the history of natural history illustration, as well as how to draw and illustrate natural history specimens. This knowledge can be used to develop engaging and informative lesson plans for students of all ages.

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Science Writer

A Science Writer communicates complex scientific information to a general audience. They write articles, books, and other materials that explain scientific concepts in a clear and engaging way. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field. The course will teach you how to communicate complex information in a clear and concise way, as well as how to use visuals to support your writing.

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Architect

An Architect designs buildings and other structures. They use their skills to create blueprints and construction plans. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course could be applied to this field as you will learn how to draw and design structures accurately. While experience with building design specifically is not taught in this course, the skills you will develop can lay a foundation for further study in architecture.

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Graphic designer

A Graphic Designer creates visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field as you will learn how to draw and design images. While experience with graphic design specifically is not taught in this course, the skills you will develop can lay a foundation for further study in graphic design.

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Photographer

A Photographer captures images of people, places, and things. They use their skills to create beautiful and meaningful images that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as photojournalism, advertising, and fine art. The skills that you will learn in a Drawing Nature, Science, and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 course can be applied to this field. The course will teach you how to compose and light a photograph, as well as how to use different techniques to create different effects.

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Drawing Nature, Science and Culture

Natural History Illustration 101

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Natural history illustration 101

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