Journal of Nature Science Illustrators Vol. 52 No. 3: Abstracts

Anatomy Coloring Book

— Jonathan Higgins

Inspired by Coloring activities, like those in the Anatomy Coloring Book by Kapit and Elson, have been proven to reduce stress and enhance memory retention through the "enactment effect." Inspired by this, the author developed customizable anatomy and physiology coloring activities for lab manuals, carefully balancing artistic design with educational effectiveness. These activities have been successfully tested and enthusiastically adopted by educators, offering a creative and interactive way to learn complex structures.

Curated Colored Pencils

— Kathleen Garness

The author shares a hand-picked palette of 12 Prismacolor® pencils used with botanical art students at the Prairie House in Westchester, designed for versatility across subjects like landscapes and portraits. The set includes primary and secondary colors, warm and cool grays, and two darker convenience colors, all chosen for their high-chroma and blending capabilities.

The Business of Illustration: Getting Organized

— Gail Guth

For those new to freelancing in illustration, this article provides practical advice on setting up an organized file management system and tracking time efficiently. It suggests creating folders with job numbers, backing up files regularly, and using time-tracking tools like OfficeTime® to stay on top of projects and avoid losing money. These tips aim to help freelancers stay organized, manage multiple projects, and streamline their workflow.

Working Essentially for Free?

—  Britt Griswold, RRRRipped Guest Editor

Members’ feedback pulled from the GNSI Sciart-Listserv on a pro-bono proposal offered to a fellow member.



Sketchbook- Costa Rica

— Karen A. Johnson

In February 2020, the author embarked on an art and photography tour in Costa Rica led by Mindy Lighthipe, where the vibrant wildlife and tropical environment provided endless inspiration for sketching. Capturing scenes from nature, such as birds, frogs, and insects, in her travel sketchbook allowed her to stay present, appreciate details, and create lasting memories, even if not every piece was fully completed on-site. These sketches, combined with photos and observations, serve as meaningful reminders of the experience.

Illustrating Nature - CSUMB Science Illustration Graduate Program: Class of 2020

—Madelyn Neufeld, Liz Wahid, Ying Wang

The 2020 Science Illustration class at California State University, Monterey Bay consisted of 16 diverse students with backgrounds in fields like paleontology, marine biology, and ornithology. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, they adapted by moving their annual art show, "Illustrating Nature," to a virtual format, allowing them to reach a global audience. With guidance from dedicated instructors and the success of their digital gallery, the class feels confident in their skills to pursue professional careers in science illustration.

Artwork you can Wear!

— Kathleen Garness

At the 2013 Wild Things Conference, the artist was approached by Karen Tharp from the Illinois Nature Conservancy to create a bandana design featuring the prairie white-fringed orchid. This project evolved into several bandanas highlighting endangered species, native plants, and their pollinators for conservation efforts. The designs were used to educate volunteers and the public, eventually inspiring a new bandana celebrating the successful nesting of piping plovers at Montrose Dunes in 2020.