Botanical illustrators create drawings of plants and trees using hand-drawing or computer programs. They need a strong understanding of botany to accurately convey information through their artwork. Botanical illustrations are used in advertising, guidebooks, scientific articles, and patent applications. Some attend art school and major in biology or complete botanical illustration programs.
A botanical illustrator creates drawings of botanical subjects such as plants and trees. Some may draw by hand, while others use computer drawing programs and other tools in the course of their work. Botanical illustration is a very old field that combines elements of art and science. Examples can be seen everywhere, from seed catalogs to patent applications.
The botanical illustrator needs a firm understanding of botany to render botanicals accurately and at the appropriate level of detail. Scientific illustrators don’t just draw things, they also convey information through their artwork. Illustrators must produce works at an appropriate scale that provide important information such as the accurate coloring and shading of flowers, natural variations within the same species, and the life stages of a plant.
These illustrators produce work in color as well as black and white projects that convey information to help people identify and understand plants. Some label their drawings with various plant components and may show plants in different stages of life, with additional labels detailing various stages. A botanical illustrator can trace the development of fruits and pods, for example, from flowers to the final product.
Many botanical illustrators work with generic stock illustrations as well as custom designs for clients. Botanical illustrations are often used in advertising to sell specific plants, such as in seed catalogues, and are also used in marketing campaigns for products with a botanical element. A company that makes soap, for example, might want botanical illustrations to provide information about which flowering plants it uses in various blends.
Such illustrations also appear in guidebooks, scientific articles and patent applications. These illustrations need to provide accurate scientific detail to help viewers distinguish key features and understand the difference between various species. A botanical illustrator works with samples provided by the client, often using microscopy and other tools to gather information, before roughing out the designs. The client approves the details, which the botanical illustrator can finish with more detail, tighter lines, and so on.
Some botanical illustrators attend art school and major in biology. Colleges, universities, and botanical gardens sometimes offer botanical illustration programs for people who want certificates in this field. You can also join professional organizations to use for learning and networking opportunities. Most illustrators keep a portfolio of sample work to show interested clients who want to see if they will be a good fit for a particular job.
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