Lesson Title: Exploring Scientific Illustration

Grade Level

Duration

4 periods, 60 minutes

Materials

Native specimens (real or images)
Magnifying glasses or microscopes,
Drawing paper
Pencils, erasers, rubber cement, and watercolor paints

Media

Watercolor

Lesson Objectives

For the student to:
• Observe natural objects and recognize their specific characteristics.
• Develop knowledge about specific native plants (including plant identity, common name, and scientific name).
• Compose a full page incorporating text.
• Experiment with multiple watercolor techniques: wet on dry, wet on wet, resist with rubber cement, layering.

Introductory Activity

Overview:
This lesson combines art and science, encouraging students to observe and appreciate the details of native plants. By creating scientific illustrations, students will gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of natural objects and their place in the environment.
1. Introduction (1 class period)
• Discuss the importance of scientific illustration in preserving and recording natural history observations. Examples: Audubon, illustrations from Darwin’s voyage on the Beagle, and contemporary illustrator Melanie Lee: Nanoclustering.
• Introduce Maryjo Koch’s work as inspiration for the lesson.

Lesson Process

2. Observational Drawing (2 class periods)
• Provide students with or have them bring in native specimens (real or images).
• Use magnifying glasses or microscopes to examine the objects’ details, structures, and patterns.
• Guide students in creating accurate observational drawings. Consider a detailed view, a specific characteristic.
3. Scientific Information (1 class period)
• Discuss three key facts about each native object:
• Object identity (common name and scientific name)
• Seasonal changes (if applicable)
• Notable visual attributes (color, texture, etc.)
• Environment where naturally found
4. Artistic Elements (Throughout the lesson)
• Teach students how to use artistic elements:
• Value (closer lines for darker areas, farther apart lines for lighter areas)
• Contour lines (to outline the plant)
• Color (matching natural colors)
• Composition of page
• Relationship of images and text. Note how Koch sometimes puts text around the contour of an object.
• Use of and proficiency with watercolor techniques.
Reflection:
• Have students write a reflection on their experience connecting science and art through this lesson.
• How can artists assist scientists in better understanding the natural world?
• Why is the camera insufficient for illustration?