Course Dates
May 19, 2025 to June 2, 2025
Prerequisites
None
Course Description
In this course, students build a foundation of skills needed for biological illustration using the many visual opportunities that Appledore Island offers for natural science subjects. Lectures and demos introduce each of five projects using a variety of media including graphite and graphite dust, pen & ink, watercolor, and colored pencil. Basic standards needed in the creation of professional work are covered, include observational drawing, attention to detail and accuracy, composition, color, tonal values, and perspective. The class will visit many locations on the island for inspiration and visual reference. Students will create a final project demonstrating skills they have developed with one of the media covered in the course.
Students taking this course will:
- Sharpen skills in observational drawing to analyze and distinguish details that are needed to communicate a particular natural science illustration
- Understand and be able to apply materials and techniques for the mediums covered in the course.
- Demonstrate accurate and clear illustrations and communication of concepts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of composition, color, tonal values, and perspective.
- Be able to evaluate the quality of a work and how to solve problems related to drawing, composition, color, and tonal values.
Status
Course Numbers
Cornell: BIOSM 2040 (3 Credits)
UNH: MEFB 460 (4 Credits)
Faculty
Carol Schwartz
A constant supply of drawing materials accompanied Carol while growing up in Missouri. She graduated with a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute, attending her senior year at Rhode Island School of Design. In 2014 she received her MFA from the University of Hartford, Connecticut. Her illustrations have appeared in over 60 picture books and countless magazines, newspapers and advertisements.
With a focus on science and nature, a few of the companies Carol has worked with include Scholastic, Hyperion, National Geographic Society, National Wildlife Federation, and The Washington Post. Her children’s books have been chosen as Outstanding Science Trade Books by the National Science Teacher’s Association and Children’s Book Council and have been honored with the Children’s Choice Book Award and included in the Original Art exhibition at the Society of Illustrators in New York. Her artwork has been exhibited throughout the country, including Focus on Nature XIV and XV, The Society of Illustrators in New York, and The Illustrator’s Club of Washington DC. Carol’s work is included in the Society of Illustrators permanent collection from the exhibition, Women Illustrators Past and Present.