Archipelagos

  • English
  • Ελληνικα
Who We Are
The TeamThe Team
Research BasesResearch Bases
Research BoatsResearch Boats
Our EquipmentOur Equipment
PartnersPartners
SupportersSupporters
Fields of Action
Marine ConservationMarine Conservation Fisheries Shipping Risks Seagrass Meadows Coralligene Conservation Littoral Ecosystems Invasive Species Jellyfish Sea Turtles
Marine MammalsMarine Mammals Dolphins and Porpoises Whales Seals
Terrestrial ConservationTerrestrial Conservation Island Fauna Forests & Flora Freshwater Ecosystems Aegean Seed Bank
Laboratory ResearchLaboratory Research Microplastics Water Analysis Soil Quality
Projects
Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary
Eco-Navigation
FIsh4Life
Save the Aegean
Join Us
Internships in the Aegean
Remote Internships
Interns Experiences
Field Courses
News
Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia seagrass- a new innovative planting process
Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia seagrass- a new innovative planting process
Aegean Islet Conservation Project in cooperation with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture
Aegean Islet Conservation Project in cooperation with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture
Mutilated Striped Dolphin Stranded on the shores of Samos Island
Mutilated Striped Dolphin Stranded on the shores of Samos Island
Posidonia Seagrass Fruits Wash up on Our Shores – A Rare Phenomenon
Posidonia Seagrass Fruits Wash up on Our Shores – A Rare Phenomenon
View All...
Contact us
Publications
Videos
Awareness Material
Donate
Menu

The Importance of Scientific Illustrations

The Importance of Scientific Illustrations

by Kleopatra Delaveri / Thursday, 12 October 2017 / Published in Intern Experience, Media Team, Terrestrial Conservation Team, Work Journal

Sinictinogomphus clavatas. Source: Wikipedia

Our generation is accustomed to having easy access to high quality images of everything, at nearly no expense and in no time at all. Despite of this, scientific illustrations are still needed because of only a very small detail can help differentiate one species from another. Hence scientific illustrations are useful as they can be very effective for both the identification of species and to deliver scientific concepts in an interesting and accessible to the public.

Scientific drawings are used to mark out details exactly. To take a photograph, may involve moving the plant or animal into positions which could hurt or destroy it. Scientific illustrators work with pre-collected objects and combine the knowledge of scientists and photographic images into an illustration which can help scientists identify organisms in the future.

Step 1: Rough sketch

A perfect photograph can sometimes show too much detail, which leads the eye away from the most important aspects or identifying particulars. Therefore, in order to start identifying plants or animals, books with precise illustrations are very useful (of course it is helpful if those illustrations are combined with good photographs).

 

 

An illustration can be used to advertise a scientific concept to the public and hence, they don’t have to be as precise as illustrations for identification. In these cases, it is more important that the drawing is accessible and arouses the interest of many. These illustrations can even be used for education (such as in school books, educational comics, etc.) or merchandise, etc.

Step 2: Fine ink

In order to do a scientific illustration, the illustrator first studies the species they would draw very carefully and in great detail. They have to watch living individuals, take pictures, make sketches from different angles and discuss important features with specialists before the final illustration is done. Plenty of rough sketches are made to get a feeling for the right size, positions and view of that animal or plant.

 

Step 3: Final

When the final draft sketch is completed, there are several different ways to draw the finished product. Some illustrators prefer a fine feather to draw as accurately as possible. There is usually an exact protocol for which techniques should be used for scientific drawings and how to deal with important details. Colours can be added with water-colour or coloured pencils with some illustrations being made entirely using coloured pencils. A scientific illustration does not have to look very beautiful or be positioned in an interesting way. Sometimes the illustrations can look very flat so the important details are easier to see.

The pictures in the article are a representation of the process involved in illustrating a dragonfly (Anisoptera) to be fairly accurate yet still hold aesthetic interest.

 

Jennifer Fischer, MSc Landscape planning, BOKU, Austria

0
0
0
0
0

What you can read next

Distribution Model for Common Dolphins near the Island of Samos
Documentary filmmaking internship
Material for Awareness Raising on the Threats of Plastics

HIGHLIGHTS

  • International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    1 June 2021
    At Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation an important visit took …
  • The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    27 July 2020
    It was a great honor but also great moral support …
  • The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    30 June 2020
    Yesterday, during the President of the Republic’s visit to the …
  • Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    19 February 2020
    The Short Documentary Film presenting the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary, …
  • Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    6 February 2020
    We would like to thank the International Propeller Club of …

Recent Posts

  • Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia seagrass- a new innovative planting process

    Planting Underwater Gardens of Posidonia seagrass- a new innovative planting process

    29 June 2023
    An innovative process of planting underwater gardens of Posidonia oceanica …
  • A special three-day research expedition to the Ikaria Trench

    A special three-day research expedition to the Ikaria Trench

    19 May 2023
    Archipelagos Marine Mammal Research team took part in a very …
  • Aegean Islet Conservation Project in cooperation with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture

    Aegean Islet Conservation Project in cooperation with the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture

    17 May 2023
    A new cycle of interdisciplinary on-site research of the Aegean …
  • Mutilated Striped Dolphin Stranded on the shores of Samos Island

    Mutilated Striped Dolphin Stranded on the shores of Samos Island

    12 May 2023
    A mutilated striped dolphin was found stranded on the north …
  • Posidonia Seagrass Fruits Wash up on Our Shores – A Rare Phenomenon

    Posidonia Seagrass Fruits Wash up on Our Shores – A Rare Phenomenon

    3 May 2023
    In recent weeks, at many beaches along the coasts of …
  • Sperm Whale Migration

    Sperm Whale Migration

    23 April 2023
    As we are now approaching the middle of autumn, sperm …
  • Microplastic Pollutants found in stranded Dolphins, Sea Turtles and Seals in the Aegean Sea

    Microplastic Pollutants found in stranded Dolphins, Sea Turtles and Seals in the Aegean Sea

    5 April 2023
    A new scientific publication by the Archipelagos Institute for Marine …

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is committed to researching and defending the biodiversity of the Greek seas and islands.

Our action is possible only with your help!

donate
  • Contact us
  • Placements

Archipelagos - Institute of Marine Conservation © All Rights Reserved || Web Design and Development by Red Web Design & Fekas Brothers

TOP