Journal

—James Perkins

This article appears in the 2011 Journal of Natural Science Illustration

Abstract: Since atoms are smaller than the wavelength of visible light, it is theoretically impossible to “see” an atom, even with the most powerful microscope. Nevertheless, we recognize that atoms consist of “shells” of electrons buzzing around a central nucleus. Therefore, it’s common to depict an atom as a simple sphere, its diameter proportional to the size of its outermost electron shell. Furthermore, scientists have developed experimental methods, such as x-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy, to determine the geometric arrangement of atoms within a molecule. These...

Painting with Gouache

This article appears in the 1993 Journal of Natural Science Illustration (Vol. 2, No. 1)

Editor’s Note: The 2010 reissue of this article is a modification of the original. Two of the illusrations are replaced with different subject matter fro purposes of better color reproduction. All illustrations in the original print edition are in black and white.

The field of Scientific Illustration often demands the production of highly detailed, accurate renderings that must survive the less-than-perfect world of photographic reproduction. The collaborative efforts between artist and researcher/author require the illustrator to adopt a most...

The Multifaceted Life and Books of Arthur Guptill

This article appears in the 1995 Journal of Natural Science Illustration (Vol. 2, No. 2)

All of us know of the American Artist's Magazine, its American Artist's Book Club and their publisher, Watson-Guptill Publications (ownership now is in Billboard Publications). This article is about Arthur L. Guptill, co-founder, co-editor and co-manager of these businesses in art, with his long time friend, Ernest Watson.Together they undertook many art enterprises under the Watson-Guptill umbrella.

GUPTILL THE POLYMATH

The word I have used goes back into early Victorian history: a person with multiple interests...

Using Engineering Principles to Reconstruct Leaf Shape

Using Engineering Principles to Reconstruct Leaf Shape: A Methodology to Predict Life Posture of Leaves of Extinct Plants — Marlene Hill Donnelly

Abstract: In reconstructing the elements of a convincing prehistoric landscape, some approaches require engineering equations while others depend on subtle nuances of personal observation. The reconstruction of a fossil taxon can be strongly supported with reference to a related extant species. Where no such living plant exists, visualization and imagination are not enough; creating models using structural engineering principles and in-depth field study of living analogs is vital to both accuracy and artistic authenticity. All images copyrighted by Marlene Hill Donnelly,...

From Theatrical Illusion to Ecological Theater

The Development of the Classic Wildlife Diorama

— Gary Hoyle

This article appears in the 2008 Journal of Natural Science Illustration

When I was ten years old my grandfather took our family to the Boston, Massachusetts Museum of Science, where I saw, for the first time, what would enchant me and direct my professional career. I stood before a window facing a sweeping view of the Atlantic coast where a wide variety of birds prowled the shoreline or took to the air. The scene had a magical quality about it, not just because of the view, but because of the arrested motion. Everything in sight was frozen in time. I was looking at one of the most beloved and...